A hefty dump of snow that fell on the Thunder Bay area on Sunday night left Sleeping Giant Loppet organizers smiling, but a firm decision on whether to hold the event has yet to be made.
Long-time event booster Peter Gallagher said on Monday he was feeling optimistic.
“I don’t want to jinx anything, but with the snow we already had, plus 15 centimetres (Sunday) night and two months to go, I expect a successful loppet,” Gallagher said in an email on Monday.
The 2026 version of the loppet, to be held at its usual location at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, is set for March 7 if Mother Nature does her part.
In previous years, organizers have waited until early February before making a final decision on whether to go ahead with the event.
A cancellation, if required, will likely remain in effect even if there is a heavy snowfall following a decision, since the co- ordination of volunteers and purchase of supplies requires a firm date.
The Sleeping Giant Loppet, which was started in 1978, was cancelled in 2024 because of a shortage of snow during one of the mildest winters on record.
It was also called off in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The loppet, which attracts about 900 cross-country skiers of various abilities, depends on about 175 volunteers.
