Do you enjoy cross-country skiing? If so, check out the “Big Ski Day” at Bittersweet Ski Club on February 17 (the Sunday of Louis Riel long weekend).
The Big Ski Day will be a chance for skiers to test themselves to see how far they can ski in a single day. It is not a race, more like a challenge, and it’s open to everyone. Skiers can be of any age or ability, for they are challenging themselves, not each other (although it’s likely that some may decide to have a friendly competition against friends or family members). Small children will be encouraged to ski their age, using the terrain park or the regular trails. A six-year-old, for example, could try to ski six kilometres — or more.
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A second type of challenge will be a co-operative one. The aim will be to ski across Manitoba, with each skier’s tally counting towards the total distance. From the Ontario border to the Saskatchewan border is approximately 490 kilometres, so the challenge is to total that amount or more.
Pre-registration for the Big Ski is not required, but skiers should register that day at the Bittersweet Nordic Centre. There is no entry fee although donations, as always, are welcomed to help the club cover event expenses and the usual maintenance of ski trails. Registration will begin by 8 a.m. and continue throughout the day, although skiers should plan to finish by at least 5 p.m. Once finished for the day, they should report in at the centre and declare the total distances they have skied. It is expected that there will be some really long distances covered by dedicated skiers — perhaps as much as 80 or 90 km if ski conditions and weather are good — but all distances can be recorded. Nutritious food, cookies, coffee and water will be available at the centre throughout the event, or skiers may opt to bring their own lunch and snacks as well and make it a full day.
The Bittersweet Trails are located southwest of Portage la Prairie, off Highway 242, between Highways 1 and 2. The turnoff is four miles (6.5 km) south of Rossendale if you’re coming from the north, and then 1-1/2 miles (three km) west on the Assiniboine Hills Trail (47N.) For those coming north from Highway 2, Assiniboine Hills Trail is the first road going west (left) after you get out of the Assiniboine Valley, about three km north of the river.
Bittersweet has approximately 21 km of classic trails and 12 km of skate trails (mostly separated), so anyone planning to ski all the trails once could ski 33 km. Some challengers will be planning to use both types of skis and go around more than once, or even several times!
Family groups are welcome, as well as more competitive skiers, and some have indicated they are training for long distances. Why not plan to celebrate the Louis Riel weekend with a really big ski? Or, if you can’t make it to the Big Ski Day at Bittersweet check for similar events at other Manitoba locations and make sure to visit the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba website. Additional information about the Bittersweet Trails can be found by searching under Where to Ski and then central Manitoba.
