The 2025 Huckleberry Loppet was held at the Golden Nordic Ski Club (GNSC) in Golden, B.C. on February 8 and 9. Jeff Dolinsky, Race Chief, for the “Loppet” says this year’s turnout was the “biggest” in its 27 years with about 252 athletes and 60 volunteers attending.
“It is very successful. We are immensely proud of this year’s turnout and the support from local businesses is generous,” Dolinsky says, adding, “People come out for a great tour of our trails, and ski as hard as they feel like. It has been a very uplifting day.”
Volunteers worked “complex” jobs over the weekend, from managing the parking lot, grooming the tracks, serving food, and registering participants: the event relies on community support to run. Local businesses donated silent auction items, and door prizes and sponsored the event. Dolinsky explained how thankful he is to the volunteers who make the event happen and how proud he is of the event to bring so many people out.
John Denham, coach, and clown at the “Loppet” has been involved for many years. He has coached the “Bunny Rabbits” team comprised of kids ages 3 to 5 and now coaches the “Track Attack” team ages 9 to 13. He also plays the beloved clown, “Achante” for the event.
As a clown, invited by Race Chair, Jeff Dolinsky, Denham helps “calm the nerves” of athletes and participants in a “rave atmosphere.” He explains, “Loppets are meant to be fun and inclusive of all ages, skills, abilities, and desires. It is an event people join as a low-stress way to try their best and have fun. It is an easy goal.”
Denham brings delight to folks at the Loppet through playful clowning, juggling and inspiring joy with big fun energy. This year’s “Loppet” brought many recognized athletes from Golden, B.C., Calgary, and the Valley.
“We have an ex-national team racer, two Special Olympians going to world championships in three weeks, 60 entrants from the GNSC and some of the folks from Calgary said this is their favourite Loppet,” Dolinsky said as he looked out onto the track at the athletes, supportive family members and spectators with a huge smile on his face.
Sebastian Gylander, age 20, from the Golden Special Olympics (GSO) team placed second overall at the “Loppet” this year. He is a member of Team Canada’s Special Olympics Team and will go to the Special Olympic World Games to race in Italy in March. Gylander has been Nordic skiing since he was four years old and trains six times a week. He has been skiing in the Huckleberry Loppet since he was eight and describes it as his “home” Loppet.
“I love skiing at home. It is right outside my doorstep,” he says. Gylander explains he has skied many different races with his team and attended Western Championships. He has raced in Revelstoke, Panorama, and Vernon.
“Skiing is peaceful,” he says, adding, “I enjoy meeting new people that like to ski and I’m excited to attend the World Games in Italy in March.”
It was a sunny, yet cold weekend with temperatures at about minus 14, and that did not damper the enthusiasm among participants at the Huckleberry Loppet. Kids and adults alike wore their warmest clothes and brightest smiles during the event.
Yannick Dupont from Invermere, B.C., brought this daughter, Ivy Dupon, age 8, from Invermere B.C.’s Toby Creek Ski Club to race for the day, he said the Loppet is, “always fun”.
“The cold is nothing. The excitement is so high, the athletes do not care about the cold.”
Lucy Comstock, aged eight, has been Nordic skiing for three years. She says she feels “happy” when she skis.
“It is not competitive. It is fun!” she says.
