The Huckleberry Loppet took place over two contrasting winter days in Golden, B.C., a foggy, dreary Saturday followed by a bright, sun-soaked Sunday, bringing together laughter, encouragement, and the rhythmic glide of skis at the Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre. While loppets elsewhere can sometimes feel intensely competitive or overly polished, Golden’s signature ski event has carved out a reputation for something different: heart, fun, and a sense of celebration that keeps people coming back year after year.
That spirit was evident everywhere, from young kids wobbling through their first races to seasoned skiers cruising confidently across the snow. According to Jeff Dolinsky, Chief of Competition for the loppet and one of the founders of the Nordic centre, that mix of ages and attitudes is exactly the point. “Loppet weekend is more of a celebration of skiing than a race,” Dolinsky said. “It is the weekend when we all gather to have fun on skis, while marvelling at some of the strongest athletes in Canada.”
This year’s event welcomed over 325 entries across two days, with participants ranging in age from five to seventy-three. While the Golden Nordic Ski Club organizes the loppet, Dolinsky noted that “the vast number of participants are visitors from the Columbia Valley and Alberta,” many of whom travel specifically for the atmosphere.
Several racers commented that the Huckleberry Loppet has a whimsy and energy missing from larger, more serious events, a quality that seems to be woven into its history.
Dolinsky’s involvement dates back to before the Nordic centre even existed. “My involvement began when the Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre didn’t exist in 1997,” he explained. Along with Brian Harris and Russ Younger, he helped dream the venue into existence, even roping in then-mayor Jim Doyle, who served as the starter for the very first loppet 28 years ago. Since then, the event has grown organically, supported by better trails, a chalet built in 2012, and a deeply committed volunteer base. This year alone, over 65 volunteers helped make the weekend run smoothly.
That welcoming environment is exactly what keeps younger athletes like Jack Mahoney coming back. At just 15 years old, Mahoney has already participated in the Huckleberry Loppet seven or eight times, starting when he was barely old enough to remember. This year marked a personal milestone: his first time tackling the 30-kilometre race.
“It was very painful,” Mahoney said with a laugh after finishing. Despite the challenge, he was clearly proud of the effort. For him, the appeal of the event goes beyond the physical test. “It’s a good environment. It’s fun,” he said. “And I get to do, like, distance racing. Most of the time I don’t get to long-distance races. I’m better at long distance.”
Mahoney’s experience reflects one of the loppet’s unique strengths. It makes room for both ambition and enjoyment. Young racers can push themselves alongside experienced athletes while still feeling supported rather than overwhelmed. That balance is no accident. “I am really proud of the heart and spirit of our club,” Dolinsky said. “Very welcoming and joyous.”
That joy is visible not just on the trails, but around the venue itself: spectators cheering with cowbells, young skiers receiving cookies instead of medals, and colourful costumes brightening the day. Many skiers stayed long after their races finished to swap stories and have some laughs.
Dolinsky admits that organizing an event that only happens once a year has its challenges. “It is tricky to run an event only once a year,” he said, “especially as we get older, because we must remember what we did last year!” Still, the effort is clearly worth it.
In a sport that can sometimes feel solitary, the Huckleberry Loppet stands out as a reminder of why people fall in love with skiing in the first place. It’s about challenge, yes, but also laughter, shared suffering, and shared joy. Whether you’re a 15-year-old racing your first 30K or a volunteer who’s been there since the beginning, the Huckleberry Loppet offers something rare: a place where competition and celebration glide side by side.
