Cross-Country Skiing in Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park has one of the largest networks of cross-country ski trails in North America. You will find over 50 trails, varying in difficulty from beginner to advanced. Enjoy classic cross-country skiing and skate skiing in a beautiful conservation area, located just minutes from downtown Ottawa.
Gatineau Park features:
- Over 200 kilometres of trails for classic cross-country skiing. This includes 100 kilometres of trails shared with skate skiers, and 45 kilometres of back-country ski trails.
- Hilly terrain, ideal for ski touring, with 320 metres (1,050 feet) of vertical drop.
- 10 day shelters that are maintained daily and come complete with wood-burning stoves and picnic tables.
- Cabins, yurts and campsites that are located just off the ski trails.
Help us protect Gatineau Park and leave no trace.
Ski Conditions
The conditions are updated daily during the ski season, which runs from mid-November to mid-April (weather permitting).
Ski Passes
To ski in Gatineau Park you need a daily pass or season pass. Reduced rates are offered for youth, students and seniors, as well as for families and large groups. Children 12 and under can ski for free.
For complete information on pricing and how to get your pass, see Gatineau Park Cross-Country Ski Passes.
Ski Trails
Gatineau Park has over 50 trails that, combined, cover over 200 kilometres. There are 15 starting points, each of which has free parking, a booth selling daily passes, and outhouses. Many trails start at the Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau, which is accessible via STO buses.
See the Gatineau Park Winter Trails map for complete information. You can buy a paper copy of this map at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre and at tourism offices in the Capital.
Recommended Ski Routes
The following six ski routes include some of the best trails and sights in Gatineau Park. Each route has a one-page downloadable document that maps which trails to take and provides key information about the route.
The Heart of the Network
This ski route was developed by the Ottawa Ski Club in the early 1900s. It features scenic lookouts overlooking Ottawa, Gatineau and the Ottawa Valley.
| Ski Technique | Classic or skate skiing |
|---|---|
| Distance | 18.7 km |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy to intermediate |
 Washrooms |
There are outhouses at these locations along the route:
|
 Parking |
Free parking is available at the P7 parking lot on Kingsmere Road. |
 Picnic Areas |
Bring a snack and enjoy it in warmth at one of the route’s shelters. There are picnic tables and wood stoves at these shelters:
|
| Trail Map | Heart of the Network ski route |
From the City to the Wilderness
This gently rolling trail winds through mature forests and open fields and includes a view of Pink Lake, an exceptional meromictic lake.
| Ski Technique | Classic |
|---|---|
| Distance | 11.4 km |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy to intermediate |
| Washrooms |
There are washrooms at the Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau. |
| Parking |
Free parking is available at the Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau (P2). The Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau is located at 397 Boulevard de la Cité-des-Jeunes, Gatineau, and is accessible via STO buses. |
| Picnic Areas |
You can buy snacks at the Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau. |
| Trail Map | From the City to the Wilderness ski route |
A Prime Minister’s Backyard
This ski route begins at the Mackenzie King Estate, the summer home of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s longest-serving prime minister. After passing by the Estate’s Abbey Ruins, the route makes its way to the unique Pink Lake.
| Ski Technique | Classic |
|---|---|
| Distance | 7.9 km |
| Level of Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Washrooms |
There are outhouses at the P6 parking lot. |
| Parking |
Free parking is available at the P6 parking lot. |
| Trail Map | A Prime Minister’s Backyard ski route |
Paths of the Early Settlers
This ski route is part of the Trans Canada Trail. The route features the Herridge Shelter, an original settler’s house that was built in the late 1800s.
| Ski Technique | Classic |
|---|---|
| Distance | 20.4 km |
| Level of Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Washrooms |
There are outhouses at the P17 parking lot and at the Herridge Shelter. |
| Parking |
Park for free at the P17 parking lot, which is off Highway 105 near Wakefield. |
| Picnic Areas |
Bring a snack and enjoy it in warmth. There are picnic tables and a wood stove at the Herridge Shelter. |
| Trail Map | Paths of the Early Settlers ski route |
 Accommodation |
Reserve the Brown Lake Cabin and spend the night by the trail. |
Nature and Tranquility
This trail from Philippe Lake to Lusk Lake offers more solitude than the busier trails in the southern part of Gatineau Park.
| Ski Technique | Classic and skate skiing |
|---|---|
| Distance | 11.4 km |
| Level of Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Washrooms |
There are outhouses at the P19 parking lot and at the Lusk Lake Cabin. |
| Parking |
Park for free at the P19 parking lot. This parking lot is on Lac-Philippe Road, just off Highway 366. |
| Picnic Areas |
Bring a snack and enjoy it in warmth. There are picnic tables and a wood stove at the Lusk Lake Cabin. |
| Trail Map | Nature and Tranquility ski route |
| Accommodation |
Reserve the Lusk Lake Cabin and spend the night by the trail. If you aren’t afraid of the cold, there is also winter camping along this trail. |
Gatineau Loppet Circuit
Ski the trails that are used for the Gatineau Loppet, Canada’s largest cross-country ski event. Points of interest along the way are the Eardley Escarpment, Pink Lake, and scenic lookouts overlooking the Ottawa Valley.
| Ski Technique | Classical; skate skiing is also possible if you bypass trails 15 and 35 and take the Gatineau Parkway. |
|---|---|
| Distance | 40 km |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy to intermediate |
| Washrooms |
There are washrooms at the Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau. There are outhouses at these locations along the route:
|
| Parking |
Free parking is available at the Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau (P2). The Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau is located at 397 Boulevard de la Cité-des-Jeunes, Gatineau, and is accessible via STO buses. |
| Picnic Areas |
Bring a snack and enjoy it in warmth at one of the route’s shelters. There are picnic tables and wood stoves at these shelters:
You can also buy snacks at the Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau. |
| Trail Map | Gatineau Loppet Circuit |
Trail Courtesy
The Park’s cross-country ski trails are exclusively for skiing. There are separate trails for snowshoeing and walking. Dogs and pets are not permitted on the ski trails.
More Information
For more information, see Gatineau Park’s visitor information page.
Upcoming Events
Road and Trail Closures
Photos on Flickr
