The Town of Fort Smith is getting ready to once again hold one of their longest running events!
Originally launched in 1973, the Thebacha Loppet is one of the oldest ski tours that exists in Western Canada. Not only does it serve as an entertaining cross-country skiing event, but it also help to honour the history of the area.
The route that now serves as the loppet trail was once used as a First Nations’ portage route around the Slave River rapids. This route once connected Fort Smith to Fort Fitzgerald in Alberta, where they would then trade goods and supplies.
Diane Seals, a skier who is helping to set up the event this weekend, said that they are looking forward to a healthy turnout.
“Like lots of long-term organizations and events, the turnout can vary, and it oftentimes depends on the weather. So we can have as few as thirty people some years, and then we can have up to a hundred. The work is the same regardless of how many people are skiing on it, but what I’m always impressed by is that we do it no matter what! In past years if it’s gotten really cold we may shorten the distance but we still have the loppet!
Seals added that they will sometimes receive a good number of applications for the event within the last few days leading up, and that this year is looking like it will be a “mid-range year,” and that the numbers are looking pretty good!
In order to take part in the event, participants must register themselves online on the Zone4 website, with the registration deadline set for noon on February 27th.
Seals also took the opportunity to thank the people who put the whole thing together.
“Like any of these community events, we really rely on our volunteers, so I just wanna do a shoutout to the people that work on these trails starting in the fall and making sure they’re cleared and ready to go for us! We couldn’t do it without them and all the other volunteers it takes to make this happen!”
Once the event is over, participants are invited to gather at Dirty O’Fergie”s for a celebration.
