Theme: Skiing/Snowboarding
During the summer Gatineau Park makes for a great day out in its relative wilderness and much of the park is easily accessible by motor vehicles (tho' noting that on Sundays many routes become cycle only). During the winter however when the snow is several feet deep the only vehicular access is to the various car parking areas around the periphery or the section around Camp Fortune and Lake Meech. Upon arrival its a case of either get yer skis or get yer snowshoes on (and you can also, in a couple of areas, get yer skates on too!).
The park, as a whole, boasts about 200 km of groomed cross-country ski trails with marked routes of varying degrees of difficulty and experienced skiers also have the option of blazing their own trails.
From Hull the most accessible part of the Gatineau Hills is the area around the Relais Plein Air ( at the top of Mont Bleu ) in the southern part of the park with an excellent and relatively easy trail leading up to Pink Lake (which is actually white for most of the winter!!) and a gently exhilarating downhill stretch back down the main track. (For "gently exhilarating" read "only fell on ass twice"!!).
At the Relais is a nice warm cafe with a selection of beverages and snacks for sale but no BEER! You are however more than welcome to use the facilities and bring your own beverages and snacks (MEMO to self: REM to read this tip before going next time!).
Equipment: If you have your own skis then the parking lot is ideally located for the start of the trail. If you need to hire skis the Relais has a hire shop (which also does snowshoes) with prices ranging from $CD10 for an hour, $18 for 3 hours, $22 for the day and $75 for a week and staff are very helpful regarding boot fittings, ski and pole legnths & etc.
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Phone: 819 595 9001
Address: 397 Blvd de la Cite-des-jeunnes
Directions: At the top of Mont Bleu, on the bus 37 or 33 routes.
Website: www.relaispleinair.ca
Other Contact: www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/nc
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on Apr 2, 2008
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