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

Ski conditions are great at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.  If you plan to ski at the Park prior to the Loppet keep this information in mind.  On weekends the Visitors' Centre at Marie Louise Lake is open 10:00am to 4:00pm.  This is a great place to start to practice for the 20km event.  The Centre is not open during weekdays. Skiers should access the trails from Rita Lake where an in-out course of any distance may be skied or the 30km loop including the Burma and Pickerel Lake trails can be completed.  The trails will be closed for a period of time prior to the Loppet for final grooming. Check the snow phone at 625-5075 for details.
 
To check out a map of the 2010 course, click here.

 

 

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]

Presenting Sponsor:

Halfway Motors

Gold Sponsors:

government of ontario

chronicle journal

dougall media

fresh air

kmh

ontario parks

rbc

signs now

tbaytel

Event Hotel:

norwester

Silver Sponsors:

cross country skier

the keg

lakehead printing

rollin thunder

sam niemi designworks

stride

Bronze Sponsors:

alignment chiropractic & rehab

bioped

carrel+partners

cook engineering

hill greenhouses

investors group

parmalat