A nice little section of trail 3. Everything was well groomed and the conditions were fast and easy. I did a lap of the Parkway and then tacked on a pass down Burma. Made for some nice skiing. The Parkway is a little boring but you can get some nice long stretchs to work on endurance and pacing. Burma on the other hand is a fun fast rollercoaster. Maintaining your momentum to carry speed off the downhills and into the next uphill is the key.
By next weekend the conditions will likely be pretty thin but I'll go give it a try and see how it goes. Lafleur "customer appreciation" day at Lac Phillipe next Saturday so I should drop by there... even if I have to walk in!
Another long ski tomorrow morning. I'm gonna make a run for the firetower - barring any large wild dogs - and then I think I'll pack up the good skis. Should be able to get a few skis in on the backup and rock skis before I call it quits for another year.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
The valley
Another long ski today. The sun was in and out all morning. Unfortunately when I had the camera out... the sun was in. Nevertheless a great day skiing. Conditions are really fast before 9am and then dramatically take a turn for the sloppy as the day warms up. Still hopeful to ski for another week or so... we'll see.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Another beautiful day in the Park - pictures to prove it when I download them. I got an early start (~ 7:30am) and skied out to McKinstry Chalet while the trails were still fast and slightly icy. I was going to go to the firetower but I got stopped by a (wild? lost?) dog who didn't look too friendly. He was a big German sheppard and I figure he was at least 10km (by trail) from the nearest house. He looked somewhat menacing and didn't really have anywhere to run off to as the trail was his means of travel... off trail was deep soft, snow. So I turned around rather then get into a confrontation or possibly "acquire" a new dog.
Most of the return ski was fast but at 9am the snow suddenly, quickly started to get soft. Temperature was +3 or 4 with not much sun. I guess it passed some threshold where the snowpack could no longer keep itself frozen. The skiing got progressively harder from then on. As I got back to Gossip corner and turned for P10 the crowds started to grow and the trail got slushy from all the traffic. I was on the home stretch - downhill - so it didn't matter much to me but I was sure glad I started early.
The snow is still in good shape but the weather isn't going to cooperate over the next few days. It might get below freezing most nights but ~ +5C during the day. Double digits and rain by Thursday or Friday.... could spell the end of the ski season. I'll get as much as I can in over the next few days. The long awaited rest in April will give me time to get the bike ready and dig out my hiking boots.
Most of the return ski was fast but at 9am the snow suddenly, quickly started to get soft. Temperature was +3 or 4 with not much sun. I guess it passed some threshold where the snowpack could no longer keep itself frozen. The skiing got progressively harder from then on. As I got back to Gossip corner and turned for P10 the crowds started to grow and the trail got slushy from all the traffic. I was on the home stretch - downhill - so it didn't matter much to me but I was sure glad I started early.
The snow is still in good shape but the weather isn't going to cooperate over the next few days. It might get below freezing most nights but ~ +5C during the day. Double digits and rain by Thursday or Friday.... could spell the end of the ski season. I'll get as much as I can in over the next few days. The long awaited rest in April will give me time to get the bike ready and dig out my hiking boots.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Black lake hill
Conditions this weekend were close to optimal. A bit of a steady breeze made it a little cold with the windchill but other than that it was fine. The trails were composed of an icy base with a sugary texture on the top that made for perfect skating - fast and easy. Over the two days I did a couple of tours around the lower Park covering the Parkways and a most of the main side trails. The final hill on Burma was a bit of a bobsled run which made me think twice about trying Penguin. Decided to stick to the slightly less steep trails but I probably would have been fine. The snow should last through a couple of weeks yet. The weatherman is predicting a bit of a warm up next week but only in the low single digits. With a compacted base of close to 1 meter in spots we should be good to ski to the end of the month.... but into April will be a stretch.
Pictured here is a bit of natures stone work. Freeze-thaw action on this southern slope must have brought this big chunk of rock down. Too far off the shoulder to bother the skiers but I assume the NCC will stabilize the cliff before reopening the road to cars in the spring.
Pictured here is a bit of natures stone work. Freeze-thaw action on this southern slope must have brought this big chunk of rock down. Too far off the shoulder to bother the skiers but I assume the NCC will stabilize the cliff before reopening the road to cars in the spring.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
brule lookout
Spring has sprung. It was +9C today and the tracks were mighty sloppy. There is still a lot of base though so the skiing should continue (weather permitting) for a few more weeks. Lots of people out today enjoying the sun and struggling with the snow. Those trying to ski fast were humbled and gasping for breath as their energy was sapped in the slushy snow. The rest of us (me included) took our time, shortened our route and stopped to enjoy the view. Brought a cold beer and stopped here at Etienne Brule lookout for a break. I could watch the skiers pass by below me on the parkway - most of whom claimed I had the best idea (sitting and sunning). But of course it's not my first spring ski in the park....
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Lac Phillipe
Another shot from Saturday at Lac Phillipe. It was a bluebird sky day but there was a good wind blowing down the lake. I had to tuck around the corner of the open area at the end of the lake as it made it pretty chilly in my sweaty clothes. In behind the cedars made for a good wind block. After this it was up the backcountry trail to Lusk Lake and beyond.
Perfect tracks
This photo is from Saturday. Another gorgeous day. The temperature climbed from –12 to ~0C straight through 2 wax ranges and into a third. Unfortunately I was only carrying 2 of the waxes so the last 4 km I had no grip on my skis. Made for a tiring end to an otherwise great day. Still smiling though – perfect tracks and warmer temps made it tough to complain in spite of the waxing situation. After 3 hours on skis your supposed to be tired right – wrong wax or otherwise. Did a tour of the Lac Phillipe area starting at the Wakefield parking lot and heading up to Mousseau, Phillippe, Lusk and Taylor lakes. Some great groomed classic trails as well as a few backcountry routes. Lots of people on the trails today but not so many to take away from the wilderness experience.
Norway Day
Norway day in the Park! A perfect blue bird sky and pleasant temperatures brought out the hordes to this now annual treat put on by the Norwegian Embassy. They host a cookout once a winter serving up vaffels and solderberry tea. Great treats for the tired skier. The trails approaching Huron lodge looked like commuter traffic as people headed in. I was reminded of the famous “Golden Stairs” photo from the Klondike gold rush era as I descended the Khyber Pass on Ridge road. Clearly the secret of Norway day is out amongst the skiing set.
I took a long ski approach to work up an appetite and then braved the line-ups for my snack. The trails were in pristine shape every where I went. I had a cup of toddy as well as a vaffel with a strange looking cheese topping which was delicious (in spite of looking strange!). It gave me enough energy to do a few loops around the surrounding network of trails. All smiles on my fellow skiers today! A pleasant ski home on the slightly less crowded Gatineau Parkway past Black lake. The skiing was fast and easy… or maybe I’m finally getting into decent shape?
I took a long ski approach to work up an appetite and then braved the line-ups for my snack. The trails were in pristine shape every where I went. I had a cup of toddy as well as a vaffel with a strange looking cheese topping which was delicious (in spite of looking strange!). It gave me enough energy to do a few loops around the surrounding network of trails. All smiles on my fellow skiers today! A pleasant ski home on the slightly less crowded Gatineau Parkway past Black lake. The skiing was fast and easy… or maybe I’m finally getting into decent shape?
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