A record number of cross country skiers took part in the 32^nd annual Northwestel Yellowknife Ski Loppet, presented by the Yellowknife Ski Club on Easter Sunday.

 

So many enthusiastic skiers turned out for registration that the loppet organizers had to turn some of them away. In total, 300 skiers registered to participate.

 

“We were expecting a slightly smaller turnout this year because it was Easter Sunday,” said Jennie Rausch, loppet coordinator. “Last year we had 265 skiers, so we decided to prepare for a maximum of 300 skiers this year. We had expected that we’d have food and drink left over. In the end, the event was so popular that we had to cap registrations at 300, in order to ensure we’d have enough supplies and capacity for all skiers. It’s great to see so much interest in our event.”

 

The loppet also broke a record in terms of volunteers. Last year, 42 volunteers helped with the event, more than ever before, and this year that number rose to 45. The volunteers helped with activities such as advertising, making and serving food, preparing wood, working the checkpoints and providing snowmobile transportation for volunteers, supplies and equipment.

 

“We are so grateful to our sponsor, Northwestel, and to our enthusiastic volunteers, for all the work they put in,” added Rausch. “For example, one of the snowmobile volunteers was a former Yellowknife resident who has since moved to Calgary but returned to visit and volunteer. Another volunteer stepped forward to organize a new initiative, Easter treats for the children. Buckets were set out at five different points along the 6-kilometre route and children were invited to take an Easter treat as they passed by. Both the kids and the parents really appreciated that we added this Easter aspect to the event.”

 

The loppet began at 10 a.m. Sunday under sunny skies, with the weather warming up through the day. Organizers placed bags of ski wax at the checkpoints, in case skiers didn’t have enough wax or hadn’t brought the right kind for the weather and snow conditions.

 

Between 290 and 300 skiers took part in the loppet, with slightly more than a third (110) skiing the 25-kilometre route, and another third skiing the 15-kilometre trail. It was the highest number of skiers ever to ski the 25-kilometre route. In addition, about a dozen participants skied more than 25 kilometres by doing multiple loops, with one person reaching a total of 90 kilometres and others skiing between 40 and 80 kilometres.

 

“We had skiers of all ages and skill levels,” said Rausch. “There were babies being pulled in pulks, pre-schoolers on skis and some skiers in their seventies. We also had about 50 girls from Yellowknife and other Northwest Territories communities, who were taking part in a northern youth empowerment weekend called Fast and Female, so it was great to have them participate. We even had one pregnant skier who was very near her due date, and in fact, she had her baby the next day. Now that’s a dedicated skier!”

 

Northwestel has been sponsoring the Yellowknife Ski Loppet for about a decade. The company’s sponsorship support is used to offset the costs of food, first aid supplies, advertising and a promotional item for participants, which this year was a T-shirt.

 

In 2009, Northwestel contributed more than $550,000 in cash and in-kind donations to many northern community groups. Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Northwestel is recognized 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 and entertainment services 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.