THUNDER BAY — Conditions are always key at the Sleeping Giant Loppet.
If it’s too cold, it’s tough to race. If there’s not enough snow, it’s even tougher.
This year, everything appears to be falling in place, with late winter snowfalls adding to the base at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and a high of 3 C forecast in the Thunder Bay area.
More importantly, on the health front, there are no more COVID-19 restrictions in place, which has allowed organizers to stage the decades-old series of races for the first time since 2020, before the world shut down.
That’s the condition that matters most, said Loppet co-chair Peter Gallagher on Thursday, two days before skiers are scheduled to start their quest for that all-important chocolate medal.
“We’re absolutely thrilled,” Gallagher said. “It’s been a long two years that people haven’t had the chance to celebrate the end of the cross-country skiing season, and that’s the whole intent of the Loppet.
“We’re thrilled to be back, we’re thrilled the weather is going to be great, so we’re looking forward to it.”
While the feature races generally get all the attention, there’s a lot more to the Loppet than just the 50-kilometre distances.
There’s a little something for everyone, said Gallagher, including 20- and 35-kilometre distances and an eight-kilometre jaunt perfect for families.
“The eight-kilometre event is almost the most popular event. We call it the Resolute Family Mini-Loppet and there will be probably close to 300 people in that event. They ski out for four kilometres and then there’s a checkpoint with hot chocolate and cookies and chocolate raisins and Gatordate,” Gallagher said.
“A lot of the kids just like to hang around and sit in the snowbank for a while, they’re not too concerned about how fast they’re going. So the whole family element of the Sleeping Giant Loppet is something we’re really proud about.”
There’s also plenty for the elite-level racer, including prizes in all three 50-kilometre categories.
“Halfway Motors Group has been a sponsor for more than 35 years and they provide some cash prizes in the 50-kilometre events. There’s the 50-kilometre free technique, classic technique and then skiathalon as well,” Gallagher said.
Registration is open through Friday night at 8 p.m. and can be done either online or at Kamview Nordic Centre on 20th Side Road or at www.sleepinggiantloppet.ca.
About 700 skiers are expected to race on Saturday, down from 2020 totals.
