Canada's Capital Region - After an exceptionally long season which saw more skiers than ever on Gatineau Park's winter trail network, the National Capital Commission (NCC) would like to inform users that the cross-country ski trail network is now officially closed until next year.
The 2004-2005 season, which got off to an early start on December 3, 2004, wraps up today after 130 days of skiing. More than 225,000 visits were made on Gatineau Park's 200-kilometre trail network designated for skiing, snowshoeing and hiking, surpassing the average of 210,000 visits for previous years.
"The NCC is proud to offer some of the best cross-country skiing in North America, in a beautiful natural setting only minutes from the heart of Canada's Capital," said Jean-René Doyon, Director of Gatineau Park. "Thanks to our staff, contractors and especially to our
38 volunteer patrollers who dedicated more than 1600 hours of their time to ensure the safety of users on the network, for making this season such a success."
Gatineau Park is known for hut-to-hut skiing and winter camping. Each year, some
1.7 million visits are made to Gatineau Park, a four-season destination known for its vast natural territory endowed with hundreds of kilometres of trails, forests containing more than forty species of trees, and abundant wildlife.
For more information on activities in Gatineau Park, please call the National Capital Commission at (819) 827-2020, 1 800 465-1867, or visit the NCC website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/gatineau.
