The competition, where solo skiers and teams see how many laps of a course around Lost Lake that they can make in a set time frame, was originally scheduled to take place on Jan. 8. Even if we see enough snow in the valley this weekend, organizers at Cross Country Connection believe racers need a few weeks at least to get their legs moving.
“Right now we’re thinking February to give people a few weeks hopefully to feel out their legs and get their skills down before we put them in a race,” said organizer Chris Waller.
The original race was four hours and could be raced as a solo or part of a team of three. It’s been expanded this year to include a shorter two-hour enduro, as well as a one-hour family category. Racers can use either classic or skate skis, and the winner in each category is the skier with the most laps or first across the finish line by the end of the time frame.
While some of the racers are serious, it’s also become a social event for Whistler’s cross-country skiing community with DJs, an emcee, and an après chili feast and party in the Lost Lake Warming Hut.
A makeup date for the Shuffle will be announced in the next few weeks.
