Sleeping Giant Loppet News
Wax Recommendations from local experts
Grooming will be complete at Sleeping Giant Park this evening by 9:00 and conditions are looking good. Local wax experts Martti Puumala and Robin Crowley have been busy testing waxes, watching the forecast, and pondering the snow, and have made some recommendations.
Glide: Prepare with a regular blue glide wax such as Vauhti or Rex. Add a layer of graphite then low flouro hard wax (LF4). These base layers will help keep the wax on longer. On top of that, you will need a wax to match the temperature on Saturday. Suggestions are a -4 to +6. Some good results have been achieved with high flouro. Martti also advises putting in heavy rills. This will help the glide by channeling away moisture especially on the sunny slopes.
Grip: Right now, Martti and Robin are recommending Rex Power Grip, either purple or a mixture of blue and purple. You may have to cover in the morning with a hard wax. If you're a Klister fan, they are suggseting Start Universal Wide mixed with Rode Rosa or Start MFW Red.
For further details come out to the wax clinic at 7:30 pm (EST) at the Best Western Nor'Wester Hotel and Conference Centre (same place as Kit Pick Up) and chat with Robin and Martti in person.
Conditions look fantastic for Saturday's event!
In spite of warm temperatures, conditions in Sleeping Giant Park are looking fantastic for the March 6 event date. Thunder Bay Nordic Trails manager Peter Crooks returned home on March 1 from his stint grooming the Callaghan Valley Olympic cross country ski venue to find that the new Pisten Bully groomer had arrived and was waiting for him at Sleeping Giant Park. After meeting the challenges of grooming during the weather plagued 2010 Games, Peter was pleased to find suitable snow coverage in the park. With two Pisten Bully groomers setting to work over the next two days, Peter is extremely confident that the mild temperatures will not adversely affect conditions and that this Saturday's event will be "dynamite!" Check out the images below taken on Tuesday March 2.
Double take on presentation of Bib #1
Ron Lappage and Guy Latimer were the recipients of Bib #1 at the annual press conference held Tuesday, February 23 at the Best Western Nor'Wester Resort Hotel. Marcus Luft representing Half Way Motors Nissan, made the presentation. For full details click here
Great conditions for skiing in Sleeping Giant Park
What is a "Loppet"?
We've had a lot of people asking us what a "loppet" is and why we changed the name of the event from Sibley Ski Tour to Sleeping Giant Loppet. Good questions.
The word "loppet" has its origins in Scandinavian culture and commonly refers to a mass participation cross country ski event which includes longer, marathon length distances and both recreational and competitive elements. Some definitions refer to a loppet as a "citizen's race." Participants usually challenge themselves [more... ]
Nordic News
Winter 2009 issue now available for download. [December 8, 2009]
Thunder Bay Nordic Trails Receives $150,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for a new Pisten Bully!
Thunder Bay Nordic Trails (TBNT) was joined by Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro to announce a $150,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to be applied toward the purchase of a new Pisten Bully. Joining MPP Mauro was Keith Nymark, OTF representative, to congratulate members of TBNT and local community members on their success. [more...] [photos...] [December 4, 2009]
Accessibility
The Sleeping Giant Loppet is accessible for persons with mobility issues or visual impairment. The out and back 8km Mini-Loppet is suitable for athletes using adaptive equipment such as sit-skis. Persons with a disability may contact event organizers at info@sleepinggiantloppet.ca with any questions or to secure preferential parking. [November 24, 2009]
