Trails
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Trails Maintenance & BBQ Day
Join us on Sunday October 17, 2010 to help prepare the trails for winter and enjoy a free barbeque afterwards. We need muscles big and small so bring the kids! Come prepared for a couple hours outdoors (layers of clothing, rain gear as needed, water to drink, etc.) This is a great chance to get some fresh air, let the kids run around, explore the trails and meet some ski mates before the snow arrives. Location: Y Bonnenfant Outdoor Centre. Time to be confirmed. For more information contact trails@kanatanordic.ca.
At the Y
Kanata Nordic is based at the YM-YWCA Bonnenfant Outdoor Centre located in rural Kanata at 1620 Sixth Line Road. Our trails wind through 120 acres of the Y property and Riverfront Park, just to the north, which is owned by the City of Ottawa. Parking is at the entrance to the Bonnenfant Centre. There are 5 kms of skating and classic trails, at beginner and intermediate levels. The club tracksets the trails after each significant snowfall and just prior to our Saturday lessons during the Jackrabbit program (usually January through March). Please note that as with most trail systems, all skiers who use these Y trails do so at their own risk.
OFF-SEASON NOTICE: Kanata Nordic has an agreement with the YM-YWCA for use of some facilities at the Bonnenfant Centre during the ski season for our ski lessons and related activities. This agreement does not continue through the non-ski season. Consequently our members do not have access to the Y property during that time, nor does the public in general. However, the neighbouring Riverfront Park is open to the public and has waterfront access. Please use the Riverfront Park’s parking lot, not the Y’s. For those interested in summer clubs, the nearby Ottawa River Canoe Club and Kanata Sailing Club offer summer programs for their members. Many thanks for your cooperation.
Trail Use Fees
We often are asked where users can pay for trail use. Currently we have no system in place to buy a day pass or pay a trail fee. Instead we encourage those that wish to support trail grooming or provide financial assistance to cover operating expenses and potentially make trail improvements in the future, to purchase a family or individual membership. Simply go to the registration page and register on-line without selecting any programs.
For the current trail conditions at the Bonnenfant Centre click on “Trail Conditions” under “Latest Updates”in the left-hand menu or click here.
For a Bonnenfant Centre trail map click here .
In the western Greenbelt
Kanata Nordic also tracksets approximately 25 km of NCC Greenbelt trails in the west-end of Ottawa. The trails maintained by the Club there require greater than 25 cm of snow cover in all areas before mechanical grooming is practical due to the rock projections and undulations. Our experience is that with the limited snow cover man-made tracks (set by skiers) can be good. Note that with limited frost penetration this year (winter 2009-2010) wet areas may continue to be wet below the snow.
All trail work is completed by volunteers.
For a western NCC Greenbelt trail map click here .
Gatineau Park, Gatineau, Quebec
We are fortunate to live near one of the greatest cross country ski areas in the country — the Gatineau Park! With over 200 km of trails it is a world-class facility, operated by the National Capital Commission (NCC). Click here for a map of the winter trail network at Gatineau Park. For fees and other information on the park visit the NCC web site.
For the latest trail conditions in Gatineau Park click here.
A Comprehensive Site for Trail Networks in Our Region
XCottawa.ca has created a web site to capture trail conditions for Gatineau Park, Nakkertok, Mooney’s Bay, our own Kanata Nordic venue (Y + Riverfront) and the Greenbelt. The site relies primarily on skiers to post the conditions they encountered. One stop shopping for trail conditions! Click here to have a look.
Trail Etiquette and Safety
- Cross-country skiing involves some risk so everyone participating does so at their own risk.
- Ski under control at all times and be aware of others on the trails, particularly on the hills. Yield to skiers coming down a hill.
- Trails are not patrolled so everyone is encouraged to ski with a buddy. If you are out alone ensure someone knows where you are and how long you plan to be out.
- Dress appropriately for the weather and be aware of changing weather conditions.
- Please stay on the groomed trails.
- Stay to the right on double tracked trails.
- Call out ‘track’ to slower skiers ahead and pass on the left. Good etiquette dictates that slower skiers move to the right to allow faster ones to pass.
- Please do not damage any vegetation, signs, etc. and enjoy the natural environment!
For information on the trails and to volunteer for maintenance and grooming please contact trails@kanatanordic.ca.
