Good Spirit Cross Country Ski Club hosted it’s 5th annual Lamplighter Loppet this past Saturday at the Good Spirit Provincial Park. With temperatures plummeting to -40 with the wind chill the committee had the 27 hardy skiers limit their time out on the trails and shortened the return time by on hour so that exposure would be kept at a minimal. The temps didn’t seem to effect the enthusiasm of the skiers as they skied the short 4.5 km to the warm up shack and some skied further getting in as many km as they could before the cut off time and head back to the Good Spirit Rec Hall for a piping hot bowl of chill and all the fixin’s.
Once the meal was enjoyed the games began!
Teams were created and several team challenges were presented and the competitions began. With the winning team having first chance at the prizes that several business had donated to the loppet.
We had great support from both the City of Yorkton and the town of Canora, Saskam Sportsman, Crossroads Credit Union, Gateway Co-op, Sask Ski, Wade Berlinic, Fox FM, Community Insurance, Canadian Tire and the RM of Good Lake and Municipal Hail. Plus the Good Spirit Prov. Park. All our supporters were very generous and everyone had a good selection of prizes to take home.
The Lamplighter Loppet is unique in the fact that it is the only night loppet in Canada. “Loppet” is simply a xc ski event and not a race, it gives local clubs the chance to show case their trails and enjoy Good Spirit’s hospitality.
Over the past five years of hosting this loppet we have seen it grow in numbers and reputation as being a family friendly fun event and we have many friends that make the trip every year. The ski trails from the rec hall are fairly level but once you get past the shelter then the trails become more rolling and can be a good work out for even the most skilled skier. The shelter is a great distance for most new skiers or young skiers of 9 km return trip.
The snow conditions at Good Spirit are in great shape thanks to the recent snow, our groomer Darryl Stevenson along with the help of Park Supervisor Brian Dudar the trails are set and maintained on a regular basis and so anyone coming out to Good Spirit can expect to have a great ski on 20 km of classic style tracks. For more info on Good Spirit and the trails contact Darryl Stevenson at 306-563-5002 or Anne Stupak 306-783-6617
