During the month of February you can keep yourself busy every weekend at a local cross country ski event.  There are some bigger loppets during the winter such as the Prince Albert Loppet and the Don Allen Saskaloppet, but in between there are a multitude of smaller, casual and super fun events that don't get as much publicity.  They are run by hard working locals who would love to have you check out their trails.  Here we've outlined a few for you to try.  Maybe you can fit them all into your calendar! 

Cheesecake Loppet - Elmhurst, Sunday Feb 3, 2019

If you like cross country skiing AND you like cheesecake, you don't want to miss this event!  Located between Brightsand and Turtle Lakes, the Elmhurst ski trails range from 3 to 20 km and you go as far or long as you like.  The shorter trails are mostly flat whereas there are some fun hills on the longer distances.  No matter how far you're going there is a central weiner roast mid-way which makes it all a whole lot more fun. And included in your registration fee is, of course, cheesecake!

For more information check out the Elmhurst Ski Club's Facebook page, or email Rick Hartley at rhart.hall@gmail.com.

Valentines Loppet - Carlton Trail Humboldt, Saturday Feb 9, 2019

A casual, fun event at the Dixon Trails,18 km NW of Humboldt. You can ski any distance you like and the event is not timed.  Some of the longer trail loops have some exciting hills on them but generally the trails are easy to navigate, and there are some pretty views along the way as you go in and out of the forest.

For more information visit the Carlton Trail Ski Club's website here.

Lamplighter Loppet - Good Spirit, Saturday Feb 16, 2019

Have you ever skied at night? This is a fun and safe way to do it.  There are 20km of trails at Good Spirit but you can go as short a distance as 4km.  Skiers of all ages start at 6pm with headlamps and ski as far as they like, as long as they are off the trails by 10pm.  The trails are loops through gently rolling terrain with no scary hills, so even a newcomer to night skiing won't injure themselves (although Jeff has seen a moose on the Moose Trail, so keep your light on). There is an outdoor fire near the shelter and the trailhead is lit with mini-lights so it feels festive. After your ski you'll get treated with food, games and prizes.

For more information, email Cross Country Saskatchewan at ccs@sasktel.net.

Eb's Day - Eb's Trails, Sunday Feb 17, 2019

Eb's Trails is located in the Nisbet Forest, 17km north of Duck Lake on Highway 11. There are 52km of classic ski trail loops here ranging from beginner to expert, and they wind their way through open jack pine forest and rolling hills.  A favourite spot for many local skiers, the system includes two warmup huts with wood stoves (one near each parking lot).  Eb's Day is a celebration of these trails and the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club offers a bonfire and free hot dogs at the South Hut between noon and 4pm.  This is a great event to get the whole family out skiing in a fun, casual atmosphere.

Duck Mountain Loppet - Kamsack, Saturday Feb 23, 2019

Many of our customers love this loppet.  It is not a race and is not timed, so you'll get a few fast skiers at the front and the rest will be nordic ski enthusiasts of all ages and abilities looking to have a beautiful ski with like-minded people.  The terrain is gorgeous, there are numerous loops to choose from, and the loppet registration includes a meal.  Good deal all around!

Here's a short TV clip from MaxTV that gives you the flavour of the event:

For more information on the loppet email rec.kamsack@sasktel.net. 

Nordic Ness Loppet - Ness Creek, Saturday Mar 2, 2019

If you wish, you can make a whole weekend out of this one as the ski event is part of the Fire & Ice Festival.  Ness Creek has a mix of easy and exciting trails that wind through the woods.  The loppet is not timed and you can start anytime you wish.  Then enjoy yourself with the other festival activities: quinzee building, skating, three-on-three hockey tournament, sleigh rides, snow sculpting, bonfire and music jamming with evening fireworks and the "Melting Man". There is food for purchase and a cash bar to top it all off.

For more information, visit their website.

For some tips on loppet preparation, check out this blog post.