.: Ski XCOttawa.ca :: Skiing in Ottawa and Gatineau Park

Skiing on the North Side of the Park
By:  Andre Marchand   (2013/03/03)

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All summer long we have the wonderful opportunity of roller skiing on the Gatineau parkway. Not very many athletes around Canada get this experience, training kilometers upon kilometers with no cars and plenty of climbs. But, if you train here all summer, fall and winter long like myself, let’s admit it; the last place you want to ski in the winter is where you've grinded away the hours all summer. So, here is an article about an amazing alternative! Want to ski on parkway-width trails, single track, and everything in between? Two lakes, tons of cabins, and stunning scenery everywhere you look? Look no further and come ski at Lac Philippe!

Having lived just five kilometers away in Masham Quebec, P17 and Lac Philippe are my old stomping ground. My whole life, I have always wondered why more people haven’t discovered the trails here. In the summer many people come for the beaches and the camping, but not very many people know that you can ski along the beaches in the winter and even camp or stay at a cabin! When skiing from P17, you can ski to and around two lakes: Lac Philippe and Lac Taylor. As well, if you are feeling up to it, you can ski all the way into Wakefield.

This week being March break for the Quebec school boards, what better way to spend part of a vacation then to spend a day on the immaculately groomed ski trails only 30mins north of Ottawa. In fact, why not spend the night? Some of my fondest childhood memories include staying overnight at a cabin on Lac Taylor, with friends and family, eating cheese fondue and playing cards late into the night. Instead of throwing the kids in front of the TV for a week, bring them out for a snowy adventure!

I may be biased, but I believe the trails from P17 are some of the best quality and most beautiful in all of Gatineau Park. The extra twenty minutes of driving is definitely worth it! Come out and enjoy the incredible amount of snow we have gotten this winter!

Here is a link to where you can make a reservation for a winter cabin:

http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park/things-to-do/camping-cabins-gatineau-park-winter

Happy Skiing!

Myself smiling at a ski around Lac Taylor

Skiing through the beautiful snow covered trees

Having some fun with a mirror on Lac Taylor

All smiles at Lac Philippe

 
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