Published January 18, 2024

Photo: Locals enjoying the winter season at one of Gatineau’s scenic outdoor recreational areas. (TF) Photo courtesy of the city of Gatineau

With the winter season well underway, Gatineau is buzzing with excitement as the city unveils a host of outdoor activities. Blanketed in snow, the city has come alive, opening eight slide and tobogganing sites and a variety of ice rinks. These offerings provide a splendid opportunity for residents to engage in winter sports and enjoy the beauty of the season, all within the urban landscape of Gatineau.

The City of Gatineau attaches great importance to its urban open air offerings, aiming to establish itself as a leading outdoor destination in Quebec. The city boasts an impressive range of facilities for outdoor enthusiasts, including 298 km of cycling or multifunctional paths, with 135 km available during the winter season. This winter, an additional 10 km of snow-cleared paths have been added. Gatineau is also home to more than 360 parks and natural areas, accounting for 14% of its territory, and is flanked by major rivers like the Outaouais, Gatineau, Blanche, and Hare. There are about 20 developed and potential outdoor sites, and residents can engage in a dozen different outdoor disciplines.

This winter, the city offers 14 slide and tobogganing sites suitable for all ages and spread across different sectors. Notably, at the Lac-Beauchamp Park open-air centre, air rooms are available for rent (free with the Accès Gatineau + card), although citizens must bring their own equipment to enjoy the other 13 slide sites.

In terms of ice rinks, Gatineau boasts 82 outdoor rinks across its territory. These include three general public ice rinks, three rings and icy alleys, 46 ice rinks with or without bands, and 30 proximity skating rinks maintained by local organizations. The opening of these rinks is weather-dependent, requiring at least 20 cm of snowfall on the ground and temperatures of -5° C or lower during the day. An ice thickness of 10 cm is necessary to open a rink, with some like Lac-Beauchamp and the Brasserie stream requiring 30 cm.

The majority of the ice rinks are currently in the preparatory phase. Citizens are encouraged to visit the Gatineau website to check the ice conditions throughout the skating season.

Additionally, Gatineau and its partners are offering six urban outdoor centres and sites this winter, with equipment such as snowshoes and cross-country skis available for rent (free with the Accès Gatineau + card). Winter cycling is also an option at several outdoor centres, including the Gatineau Park open-air relay and the Lake Leamy and Lac-Beauchamp Park outdoor centres.

The Chairman of the Commission for Recreation, Sports and Community Development and Councillor for the Plateau District, Bettyna Bélizaire, expressed her enthusiasm for the season: “Again this winter, young and old will be able to slide, skate, ski down the slopes, and pedal through snow-covered landscapes in all five sectors of the city. I invite all citizens to get outside and enjoy these urban outdoor activities, which are free and accessible to all.” ​For more information on Gatineau’s winter activities and facilities, please visit their website at https://www.gatineau.ca/portai…CA&p=activites_evenements_idees_sorties/plein_air_urbain .



With notes from Mary Baskin, Marie-Eve Turpin and Lily Ryan

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