Happening for the 26th time, The Huckleberry Loppet brought people of all ages from all over Canada to cross-country ski in races held by the Nordic Club on Dawn Mountain in Golden, B.C. on February 10 and 11.
Executive Director of the Nordic Club, Sanne Van Der Ros says, “We were really happy the weather cooperated. We had great snow and there were lots of smiles.”
Laughter filled the air on the tracks outside the Nordic Club where over 250 people gathered throughout the weekend, coming from as far as Nova Scotia, Edmonton and Calgary to participate in the event.
Van Der Ros said new categories were added to this year’s event including a 250-metre race for 3- to 5-year-olds and the Special Olympics joined. Fees were reduced for youth to encourage more participation.
“We aim for it to be possible for everyone to participate. People are blown away. Participants from Special Olympics were racing in non-Special Olympics categories and that was pretty cool too,” Van Der Ros says.
The Special Olympics coach Kevin Phillips travelled with his crew from Kimberly and Cranbrook to enjoy the weekend. He said, “We’re all excited to be here. The weather is perfect, the snow is great, and the hospitality is fantastic.”
Phillips says, “We have quite a range of skiers. It’s good to see people out and enjoying the sport.”
Children dressed in costumes, and some wore festive face paint for their race. Home-cooked “soul food” made by Alison MacKaissac provided volunteers and guests lunch and jugglers entertained participants and their supporters.
“We are fortunate. A lot of people come to help out,” Van Der Ros says. She explained that volunteers help with everything from monitoring and setting up the course to providing first aid, making lunch, and parking.
“I love it! It’s a great, fun, community event,” says Annette Lutterman. Lutterman has been volunteering for the Huckleberry Loppet for 8 years. Every year she takes on different jobs to support the event.
“It’s fun for me to participate. Everyone is cheerful and helpful and makes you feel comfortable. It’s so much fun for the kids,” Lutterman says. She says while her daughter is grown up now, she raced in the Loppet as a child.
“It’s not super competitive. It’s about getting out and seeing what you can do and having fun while you’re doing it,” Lutterman says.
Abdallah Anam, a participant who travelled from Canmore to join the event plans to attend next year because he enjoyed this year’s event so much. He says, “It’s so nice having people cheering you on the way. What a nice family-friendly event.”
Van Der Ros says sponsorships are important, she acknowledges Alpine Helicopters, the Columbia Basin Trust and the Town of Golden and thanks the many sponsors and volunteers who helped make the event possible.
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