If you missed registration, there's still a chance to compete in this weekend's Appleton Rum Peak to Valley Race, a giant slalom race from the top of The Saddle to the Timing Flats above Creekside - a vertical drop of 1,443 metres with approximately 180 gates over roughly five kilometres.
The event is run in teams of four, with at least one female member per team. Teams are also seeded based on their combined age going in, and then based on their combined time down the course. Half the athletes race on Friday, Feb. 4 and the other half on Saturday, Feb. 5, to be followed by the legendary after-party.
While the event does sell out shortly after registration gets underway during the summer, teams are always looking for skiers.
If you'd like to take part this year, go to registration between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday, Feb. 3). Any teams that are looking for skiers will be on hand.
Nordics host a late night relay
The Feb. 3 Whistler Nordics Toonie Race is a relay around Lost Lake trails, following a course that includes the Lost Lake Loop via Beach Cut.
The cost is $2 to take part for Whistler Nordics members, and one-time Try-a-Toonie entries are available for $5.
Registration gets underway at 5:30 p.m. at the Lost Lake Passiv Haus, with the race starting at 6:30 p.m. at the beach. Most of the course will be under the lights but head lamps are mandatory.
Scandinave Spa and Ryders Eyewear are sponsoring the Toonie Race series.
The Jan. 27 event was sponsored by Dairy Queen/Orange Julius, with 104 racers turning out to take on a fast head-lamp race through Lost Lake Park.
Spud Valley hosting loppet
The Spud Valley Nordics Ski Club in Pemberton is hosting its 22nd annual Spud Valley Loppet on Sunday, Feb. 6, inviting local skinny skiers of all stripes to take part in a fun, flat race that winds its way around farms and forests in the scenic Pemberton Meadows.
The course is 12 km and gets underway on the Ronayne Farm, 16 km north of Pemberton.
All registration is on race day, from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the start line, with the race getting underway at 10 a.m. The cost is $10 for a child under 13, $25 for a youth (or $15 with a membership in a nordic club), or $35 for an adult ($20 with club membership). A family entry is $40.
The finish is at the Lillooet River Forestry Bridge. The post-race part is at the Coast Mountain Outdoor School at noon, and it's recommended that participants make arrangements to leave vehicles at the finish with warm clothes, food and refreshments.
The course is snowmobile groomed and classic or skate skis are fine. However, it's a low-key community event as well, and the after-party is a potluck.
To get to the farm, head to downtown Pemberton, turn right at the bank and head down the road to the first stop sign. Turn left at the sign for "Pemberton Meadows Road," and head 16 km until you see the Ronayne farm - tents and a start will be set up. Park to the edge of the road.
For more information contact Delores Franz Los at 604-894-6182.
Local skinny skiers should also keep in mind that Sigge's P'ayakentsut cross-country ski race is fast approaching. The race takes place on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Whistler Olympic Park, replacing the Whistler Nordics' loppet on the calendar. The event is hosted by the Callaghan Valley Cross Country Ski Club, with the support of other local clubs. Courses range from two kilometres for younger skiers to the full 50-km marathon event.
More information and registration is available at www.zone4.ca.
Half Marathon correction
In previous articles Pique referred to the Whistler Half Marathon on June 4 as the first half marathon distance race held in the community. We were corrected this week by a fax for a Whistler Half Marathon event that was held in the early 1980s, alongside a full-distance marathon.
According to the entry form it was $8 to compete in the half ($15 for late entries), which included a race T-shirt. The top three men and women in each category and the top relay teams would get a custom-designed medal.
We regret the error. From now on we will refer to the 2011 Whistler Half Marathon as the resurrection of a previous event from over 25 years ago.
