Cross country skiers in Yellowknife are getting ready for the biggest event of the city’s ski season. The 31^st annual Northwestel Ski Loppet, presented by the Yellowknife Ski Club, will happen this Sunday, April 5^th.

Registration takes place on Saturday, April 4^th, at Overlander Sports, from 9:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

“We’re prepared for as many as 250 skiers,” said Donna Mulders, one of the loppet organizers. “Last year was our 30^th anniversary and we had 250 participants, which was more than ever before. We’re hoping that with good weather this year, we can match that number. I’ve skied in this loppet for the past ten years and it’s just an awesome event, with delicious food, lots of families taking part and many opportunities to socialize.”

Skiers of all ages and skill levels can choose from three routes, which are 6, 15 and 25 kilometres long. Some participants ski with their dogs, or pull children in pulks.

The loppet starts at 10 a.m., with all skiers expected to be on the trails by 11:30 a.m. at the latest. It’s held at the Bert Mockford Ski Trail, just north of Yellowknife.

“This event is really special for cross-country skiers because it’s the only time that this particular trail is groomed,” adds Mulders. “Volunteer groomers spend many hours setting a good track for our skiers, often late into Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Other volunteers spend hours preparing chili, soup, muffins and the famous ‘loppet cookies’. All the skiers stop at the Covello cabin, as well as other checkpoints, to enjoy the great food. We are so grateful to the Covello family for the use of their cabin and to all our volunteers for the time and energy that they put into making this event so much fun.”
 

Northwestel has been sponsoring the loppet for about a decade. The company’s sponsorship support is used to offset the costs of food, first aid supplies and advertising. It’s also been used in previous years to help provide T-shirts to participants. This year, skiers will receive a specially-designed loppet buff, or neckwarmer.

“We really appreciate Northwestel’s ongoing commitment to this event,” said loppet coordinator Jennie Rausch. “Northwestel’s continued support helps make this an enjoyable and safe event that is a perfect way to end the ski season.”

In 2008, Northwestel contributed more than $670,000 in cash and in-kind donations to many northern community groups, including the 2008 Arctic Winter Games. Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Northwestel is recognised as a key contributor to the well-being of northern communities through its community investment program and the volunteer contributions of its employees.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.