Plenty of snow: Loppet a go

The unusually mild winter temperatures have resulted in changes to winter events throughout Labrador this year, but the 35th Annual Great Labrador PAL Loppet is raring to go.

Gerry Rideout says the snowmobile trails the skiers in the Loppet will be using March 27 are in great form and are being monitored and maintained vigilantly.

"Back awhile ago the warm temperatures had us a little concerned, yes," admitted Rideout, president of the Menihek Nordic Ski Club. "And I am sure a lot of people were thinking the weather was going to cause problems, but you can't be fooled by what you see around town. In the town the effects of salt and snow clearing give a false impression of what's happening in the woods."

Rideout said there is plenty of snow on the trails and it's constantly being packed every other day.

The Loppet route doesn't cross lakes so fear of slob and open water on lakes is not a problem. The Cain's Quest Snowmobile Endurance Race has very little in common with the huge ski event that draws a couple of hundred skiers (local and out-of-town) out each year.

"Cain's Quest goes right through the wilderness areas of Labrador, across lakes and streams," he pointed out. "And down around Goose Bay and along the coast there is a lot less snow than we have here."

The Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club Annual Big Land Loppet (which was scheduled on the same day as Menihek's) has been cancelled for Happy Valley-Goose Bay this year and Rideout is hoping that skiers will opt to come to Labrador West as an alternative.

"We certainly welcome skiers who planned to ski in that event, for sure," said Rideout. "We have skiers come each year from Happy Valley-Goose Bay as well as from the Island."

There are some who come from as far away as parts of Quebec and Ontario, he added.

Consolidated Thompson support

With the ongoing development of the new mining project at Bloom Lake, there are two points on the route that have no snow because of access and construction of the railway.

But Rideout says the mining company, Consolidated Thompson, has been very generous and accommodating in support of the Loppet.

"We got a letter from the CEO, Richard Quesnel, saying they have agreed to shut down their work activity on the day of the Loppet," he said. "And further to that, they have also offered to truck in snow and fill areas where they've been working that has no snow for the Loppet route. We are very pleased that they are doing that for sure."

A tremendous amount of volunteer effort goes into the Loppet each year and that support comes on many angles, according to Rideout, who points out five different venues will be used for the event.

"We have the registration for the Loppet opened here at the [Labrador] Mall since March 18, so we use the mall for the registration," he said. "We have the Fermont recreational facility for the skiers, we have the White Wolf Club where a soup kitchen will be set up for skiers when they come back from their ski and Smokey Mountain Club which will host the awards banquet [steak supper and dance] on the night of the Loppet. There will be two Town [of Labrador City] trucks at the soccer field to transport skis to Duley Lake and skis to Fermont."

Rideout said there will be the usual pit stops for skiers to rest or grab refreshment, as well as portable bathroom facilities along the route. Follett's Hollow, which has become a regular attraction to the younger Loppet participants over the years with music, snacks and different treats, will be present again in this year's event as well.

Registration will continue until March 26 up until 9 p.m. Cost to register a family (with Menihek membership) is $25 and without membership is $40.

A single registration fee (with membership) is $15 and non-members can register for $25.

Banquet tickets cost $35, which includes: steak supper, awards ceremony and dance.