GOOD SPIRIT PROVINCIAL PARK — After the cancellation of the Good Spirit Cross Country Ski Club’s Lamplighter Loppet last year because of pandemic restrictions, the event returned on February 19 and was “a huge success” according to Darryl Stevenson, club president.
“This year's new format attracted over fifty participants skiing in the evening's event.” said Stevenson. “All enjoyed the excellent skiing conditions with freshly groomed trails. The Family Day weekend holiday added to this gathering's success with several families in attendance bringing children as young as six years old. A few families also included their grandparents in their ski for their holiday celebration. The eldest skier this year boasted he was eighty years old and this was his fifth participation at this loppet. This confirms without a doubt that cross country skiing is for the young and old alike.”
All activities were held at the ski trails, warmup shelter and surrounding area.
“Participants either skied to the shelter from the Provincial Park Hall or from the east Park boundary gate at Sandy Beach,” explained Stevenson. “The warmup shelter is halfway from these two starting points, which requires a ski of a minimum of 3.5 - 4 km. Many skiers, however, took advantage of the warm temperatures to ski additional kilometres prior to their hot chocolate, barbecued hot dog and desert supper. After sunset the crowd enjoyed a spectacular fireworks show, which lit up the sky above the trees and snow covered trails.”
The majority of the participants were from the local Canora and Yorkton areas, but Stevenson reported that a number of skiers made the trip for the Lamplighter Loppet from as far away as Foam lake, Melville, Melfort and Regina.
After dealing with lengthy stretches of bone-chilling cold in recent weeks, participants were relieved that warmer conditions arrived in time for the event.
“The weather was surprisingly great for just the day of our Loppet, allowing most attendees to enjoy the two bonfires which were provided next to the shelter,” shared Stevenson. “Skiers who required a further warmup were welcome to do so in the shelter.”
All COVID protocols, including Sask Cross Country Ski protocols for skiing events were followed.
“These protocols are largely the reason why organizers held the event outside,” said Stevenson. “The double vaccination mandate had been removed prior to this event which allowed organizers some relief in this particular restriction.”
Losing last year’s Lamplighter Loppet to the pandemic seemed to provide added motivation to enjoy this year’s loppet.
“Our ski club organizers, club members and non club members expressed that they were relieved and overjoyed that the night ski event was back,” continued Stevenson. “Numerous compliments were received by the ski club on the ski warmup shelter, the new club logo sign and the artwork hanging in the building.
“I would like to thank all of the organizers, including Brian Dudar, Good Spirit Provincial Park manager and staff for their time spent on making this event a complete success. We would also like to thank the skiing participants for making the loppet an enjoyable skiing experience. The club looks forward to next year and anticipates holding another successful Lamplighter Loppet.”
