What a difference one weekend makes — with a little help from Mother Nature.
Sleeping Giant Loppet organizers say they’re feeling more optimistic about this year’s March cross-country skiing event following Sunday’s decent dump of snow in Thunder Bay and areas to the east.
“There is more snow at Sleeping Giant Park, so I’m pretty confident that without a major meltdown, we’ll be ready to go,” loppet spokesman Peter Gallagher said on Monday.
The annual loppet held at the park, which first took place in 1978, had to be cancelled last year due to a significant lack of white stuff.
Gallagher and other committee members had planned to meet on Sunday to weigh their options as trail conditions so far this season seemed to mirror those of 2024.
“Certainly, more snow between now and the end of February would be helpful,” Gallagher added.
According to Environment Canada’s website, flurries and snow are forecast for the next few days in the Thunder Bay area, with night and daytime temperatures dropping to well below normal by Saturday.
On Sunday in Thunder Bay, the mercury is to rise to only -20 C during the day. The normal high for the city at this time of year is -9 C.
This year’s loppet is set to go on March 1. The event usually attracts about 900 skiers in various categories.
The Sleeping Giant Loppet “is the largest participation event in any Ontario provincial park,” Gallagher noted.
It costs $40,000 to stage and relies on about 175 volunteers to carry out a variety of duties, including registration, ski patrol, trail grooming and parking.
“Lakehead University’s Outdoor Recreation students all work at Sleeping Giant Park on the day of the event,” Gallagher said.
Loppet registration information can be found on the event’s website at sleepinggiantloppet.ca.
