After reading several NSXC.ca articles on skiing out west, I decided that we needed some sort of report from out east… OK, from the Ottawa area which is technically east of North Bay. I can’t compete with the sheer size and almost overwhelming beauty of the Rockies, but the Gatineaus do have a breath-taking beauty of their own. It is early December and conditions continue to tease us. After three or four fairly good days of skiing late in November on the packed and groomed parkway (after just 7 cm of snow!), we received what must have been record amounts of rain and one day of a record high of + 17^oC. In other words, within a couple of days we went from ski conditions of just a few blades a grass and little pavement showing to conditions of puddles you could water ski in. READ MORE (click below...)

But that early snow had woken many hibernating ski spirits that could not be dampened by rain. Therefore, with the very next snowfall (or what really amounted to a snow-dusting) that occurred last night, desperate skiers were out today, eking out what skiing they could. I have to say that skiers in the Ottawa area are a dedicated bunch.

Since moving here in September, I have seen more rollerskiers than I have ever seen. This is pretty surprising as I am not a dedicated rollerskier at the best of times (only reluctantly made it out twice this year!) and I don’t frequent areas where rollerskiers hang out such as closed parkways or paved bike trails (perhaps this lack of dedication is reflected in my race results.. but that’s a topic for another article altogether). Also, I was very surprised with the number of skiers of all shapes, sizes, abilities, and speeds out skiing after the November snowfall. I have to admit the conditions were excellent (thanks groomers!), but I didn’t expect that many people out this early in the season. Mind you, skiing in the Gatineau has been going strong since the early 1900s with the formation of the Ottawa Ski Club. Old habits die hard I guess!

 
Anyway, today (December 3) I decided to take a hike and survey the scene to see if anyone had actually skied after the minor snow flurry of last night. I had a feeling that there was some skiing being done as recommendations for the use of real Rock Skis (i.e. skis you really, really don’t care about) were coming from XCOttawa’s website today. Lo and behold, I found several ski marks (both classical and skating) on the Gatineau parkway despite obvious tufts of grass and lots of pavement showing. I also saw several mountain bike tracks criss-crossing the ski tracks. I guess this is truly a transitional period with mountain bikers not willing to let go of their season and skiers chomping at the bit to start theirs.

 I’m disappointed to conclude this piece by saying that I didn’t pull out my rock skis as soon as I got home (as usual, it was pretty dark when I got back.. gotta start getting out earlier, although the beautiful sunset was worth the late start!), but I am heartened and encouraged by the enthusiasm of local skiers and groomers! They must know something I don’t. Also, being able to groom on 7 cm of snow means we only need to wait for just a few more flakes… of snow I mean. Since my foray outside today, I have spent my time looking out the window of my apartment (which can be seen on the webcam shot on XCOttawa’s website) every few minutes, straining to see a little snow. Every once and a while a snowflake floats by, teasing me again. I’m sure it can’t be long now…. Stephanie Rees  -  From Gatineau QC