Gatineau Park Training

Map: Camp Fortune

With a week of proper winter weather upon us, it was looking like perfect timing for our first ski orienteering event in Gatineau Park in over 11 years. However, we have been unable to secure an event permit from the NCC, so the event has been cancelled.

However, since most of the course setting and map work has already been completed, if members would like to go out for a regular ski alone and follow the route on the map as training, it will be available to pick up behind the Chalet des Erables at the Biathlon Training Centre on Sunday morning. 45.5063258, -75.8593491 The training maps will be handed out between 9:30 and 10:30 am. Note that the Rifle Range area is out of bounds. This map is only available to be used on February 26th, the date we have permission from Chelsea Nordiq to use the Practice Course trails. There will also be access to the Chalet to use the washroom or leave your extra warmup clothing.

If you would like to see where you went and keep track of your time during your training, you can load the route using MapRun onto your phone or Garmin watch before heading out. There is limited cellphone reception at the centre, so you should do this at home before coming to ski. Sign in to Ottawaoc and follow the "link" to our MapRun page for members. The route will be available to download after 6pm on Saturday evening.

You are not allowed to park at Camp Fortune when you xc ski, so you should park at your usual spot for skiing in Gatineau Park, ideally P7B, and ski in to the Biathlon Centre. That will give everyone a nice 20-30 warmup and you should be ready to go when you arrive at the Biathlon Centre. The easiest route from P7 is to head north on #30, NW on #1 towards Keogan and then north on #4. The Chalet (formerly known as Chalet des Erables) is at the end of #4. This map may help . The circular symbol marks the TransCanada Trail (#4)

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Training Route Notes:

There will be 3 training route choices for you to follow. The Short distance is about 4km and 80m of climbing by the shortest skiing route. It is only on the groomed regular ski trails and does not go on any secondary trails or the Race Course trails. The Middle distance is about 10 km and 225m of climbing if you ski the shortest route. The Middle route avoids most of the steeper trails on the Biathlon Race course. The Long distance is about 16 km and 385m of climbing by the shortest route.

The trails in the Biathlon Race Centre are all designed to be skied in one direction for safety reasons. You must follow the arrows clearly indicated on the training map. Yes, this will impact your route choice, but there are several places where the trails connect to allow you to cross over and go in the other direction. These spots are marked on the map.

Advance notice for map pick-up
There are no fees, registration or timing controls for this training for Club members, but we need to know if you are coming out so we can have the right map available for you. Therefore, you MUST sign in and indicate your map choice "here" by noon on Saturday so we can print one for you.
If you would like information on becoming a Club member, you can find it "here". Annual membership is only $25 for adults and $10 for juniors and is good until April 1, 2024. Membership will not only give you access to this training map but also immediate access to over 75 other maps on MapRun for both summer and winter activities, plus many other benefits.

Since most members are fairly familiar with the skiing in Gatineau Park, navigation will not be as difficult for this training. Route choice will be your main focus. Most legs will have a choice of skiing a longer route mainly on the groomed trails or a shorter one on the secondary ungroomed trails. Note that several of the secondary trails are Black Diamond, so pay attention to the 5m contours when making your route choice. There are no mandatory steep sections on the secondary trails. You always will have a choice. Either skate or classic skis could be used for this training. Those using skate skis will have some double poling to do on most legs outside of the Biathlon Race trails. With the new snow this week, larger baskets on your ski poles will be helpful.

As always when skiing in Gatineau Park, be mindful of other skiers and be sure to give the right of way to downhill skiers. Also, be sure to thank those skiers that step out of the way for you.

With the weather this week, it is shaping up to be excellent skiing this weekend. Hope you can make it out for this training opportunity.

Paul Lefebvre

Location