Mother Nature has been wreaking havoc this winter, but her havoc was the perfect storm for Carlton Trail Ski Club, who hosted their annual Valentine鈥檚 Loppet at their Dixon location.
The Feb. 10 loppet marked the first time in three years Carlton Trail was able to host it, after Mother Nature refused to cooperate the previous two years, leaving cold weather and snow shortages in her wake.
Loppet organizer Brad Lefebvre, noted he was pleased they were able to host it this year, especially considering just two weeks prior, snow shortages threatened to once again cancel the event.
鈥淢ost people think we鈥檙e crazy because we like to see some snow but if we wouldn鈥檛 have had snow we wouldn鈥檛 be having this right now. So we鈥檙e pretty excited.鈥�
Of course, snow shortages were just part of the concerns for Carlton Trail who were also at the mercy of Mother Nature鈥檚 frigid temperatures.
Fortunately for the skiers and the club, the weather improved significantly for the loppet, reaching temperatures of -10掳C to -15掳C.
鈥淭he wind died down and the sun is shining, it couldn鈥檛 be too much better,鈥� beamed Lefebvre.
This year鈥檚 loppet featured 42 skiers from a number of different communities including Saskatoon, Melfort, Humboldt, and Hudson Bay among others.
Lefebvre did note the loppet featured nearly half as many people as three years prior, when it was last held, but said he was pleased with the numbers he got, noting two straight cancellations likely contributed to the lower numbers.
With skiers coming from as far as Hudson Bay, Lefebvre notes those skiers are typically in search of good ski conditions, which is something Humboldt was finally able to provide.
In addition to skiing, the loppet also featured door prizes and dinner.
The door prizes came from local businesses, with some of them even being Valentine鈥檚 themed, noted Lefebvre.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always kind of rewarding when you can go to a business and they鈥檙e actually very receptive and looking forward to donating something鈥� I went to pick up a few things (Feb. 9) and they were quite excited that we were having it this year,鈥� noted Lefebvre of the support.
Lefebvre also received a great deal of support from approximately ten volunteers, who are so important to the success of the event, he says.
鈥淚f we wouldn鈥檛 have volunteers, we wouldn鈥檛 be doing it.鈥�
Of course, the loppet is about fun, but is also a fundraiser for the ski club, with money raised from this year鈥檚 event helping to offset the cost of their new grooming equipment.
Overall, Lefebvre was pleased with how the loppet went, using the phrases 鈥渧ery good鈥� and 鈥渆xcellent.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 really impressed and very proud to say that it鈥檚 gone very well. The clubhouse, the people, the socializing, the trails, the weather. I can鈥檛 think of anything that can be improved on really.鈥�
Of course the club will be looking back on the event, making notes to get ready for next year while hoping Mother Nature cooperates, says聽 Lefebvre.
鈥淲e keep our fingers crossed for sure, always. Mother Nature鈥檚 the boss. She can shut things down pretty quick or she can make things work like she did this year.鈥�
Lefebvre would like to thank everyone who played a part in the loppet, whether through donation, volunteering, or even skiing. If anyone is interested in the club to check out their Facebook page or website, says聽 Lefebvre.
