There are a variety of trails available for novice skiers all the way up to seasoned professionals, and the park provides an information centre, fire pits along the trails, and rest areas. Parking is free in the Gatineau Park and is free for snowshoers and backpackers. You can contact the NCC for up to date cross country ski information and trail conditions at (819) 827- 2020. The NCC visitor centre is located at 33 Scott road in Chelsea, Quebec.
Another great place to cross-country skiing in Ottawa is along the Ottawa River Parkway which offers some great scenic views of the Ottawa River and the city of Gatineau across the river.
Cross country skiing is a low impact sport, but can be physically challenging as well when climing hills for example. Always prepare for the elements and bring along a backpack with essentials such as extra socks and warm clothing, food and beverages and a cell phone for safety reasons. Also if you are venturing out on your own make sure you tell a friend or family member where you are going.
Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
There are plenty of downhill ski hills within an hours driving distance of Ottawa in Ontario and Quebec.
Local Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding Locations:
Ontario Locations:
Mount Pakenham Ski Hill
PO Box 190
(613) 624-5290
Calabogie Peaks Resort
PO Box 90 Calabogie
Calabogie, ON
Tel: (613) 752-2020
Quebec Locations:
Camp Fortune
300 Chemin Dunlop, Chelsea QC
Chelsea, QC
J9B 2N3
www.campfortune.com
Tel: (819) 827- 1717
Map
Mont Ste. Marie
R.R.#1 RR #1, 76 chemin de la Montagne
Lac Ste. Marie, QC
J0X 1Z0
Tel: (819) 467-5200
website: www.montstemarie.com
Edelweiss Valley
540 Chemin Edelweiss
Tel: (819) 459-2328
website: www.edelweissvalley.com
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is becoming a fast growing winter activity with the advent of new high tech materials and lightweight gear available today. Snowshoeing is a low impact sport and doesn't require and formal training to get started. You can have fun right in your own back yard to get started. Some popular locations in the area include the Gatineau Park where you can find 20 kilometres of trails, Central Experimental Farm, Mer Blue, Kanata Lake, and even the Rideau Canal.
Winter Hiking
The NCC maintains 10 kilometres of hiking trails and the trails are compacted once a week. The Sugarbush Trail (just steps away from the Visitor Centre on Scott Road in Chealsea) and Lauriault Trail (in the Kingsmere area of the park) are the two most popular trails for this winter hiking near ottawa. Two other trails near downtown Gatineau-Hull are also maintained for winter hiking as well.
Outdoor and Indoor Skating Rinks
The Rideau canal skateway is the world's longest skating rink and when it opens in winter is a favorite for local ottawa area
residents. However if the canal is not open for the season yet, or is closed temporarily for weather reasons you can find other alternatives for skating. Ottawa has outdoor and indoor rinks as an alternative to the Rideau Canal skateway. The city of Ottawa has 32 indoor rinks and dozens of outdoor rinks all over the city. Indoor rinks charge a small fee usually about $2.00 each for adults and $1.00 each for kids. Indoor rinks are also a great place for small kids to learn how to skate as the ice surface is smooth and safer to learn on.
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Snow Sliding and Toboganning
Snow sliding and toboganning is a great fun activity for the whole family in the Ottawa region and there are plenty of hills around town to go sliding on, so grab your toboggan, snow sled or tube and head to the local hills for some great excitement. Safety Tip: Make sure you wear helmets and take the necessary safety precautions when sliding. |
Ottawa Snow sliding and taboganning locations:
Experimental Farm
Website: www.friendsofthefarm.ca
72 Central Ave
(613) 230-3276
Bruce Pitt Tobogan Hill
Cedarview Road
Tel: (613)-239-5000
Mooney's Bay Park
2960 Riverside Drive
Tel: (613)247-4883
Conroy Pitt Taboggon Hill
Conroy Road
(613)
239-5000
Greens Creek
Bearbrook Rd.
Ottawa, ON
(613) 239-5000
Mount Pakenham Ski Hill
PO Box 190
(613) 624-5290
Pinhey's Point
270 Pinhey Point Road
Ottawa, ON
(613) 832-4347
Vincent Massey Park
Corner of Heron Rd. & Riverside Dr.
Ottawa, ON
(613)239-5335
Mont Cascades
448 Mont Cascades Road
Cantley, Quebec
1-888-282-2722
Winter Camping
If you are really brave and like going camping in the Ottawa area, there are some close by locations where you can camp outdoors. Local locations include Brown's Lake, Taylor Lake and Lac Philippe all within a half hours driving distance and within the Gatineau Park area. Equipment you will need to brave the elements include Sub Zero quality sleeping bags, cooking equipment and utensils, a fire pit, map, flashlights, food and beverages, and extra dry clothing.
If you are shopping for equipment, Ottawa offers a number of stores serving the outdoor and winter enthusiast:
Mountain Equipment Co-Op
366 Richmond Road
Tel: (613) 729-2700
Fresh Air Experience
1291 Wellington Street
(613) 729-3002
Play it again Sports
Four locations
(613) 731--6006
Canadian Tire
Store locations are across the city - check the ottawa yellow pages for locations
