One of Sherryl Yeager’s fondest memories of organizing Sigge’s Payak was watching cross-country ski racers don hula skirts and viking helmets and whip through the snow as the sun shone bright on a perfect day.
“Last year we had just perfect conditions,” said Yeager, the chief of race. “I like it when people come and have a good time, that’s why we do the event.”
If everything goes according to plan, it’ll hopefully be an experience that will be replicated in this year’s iteration of the annual event, which has been going on since 2011, with some exceptions due to bad weather.
The event is a loppet, a family-friendly race on skinny skis. These types of events originated in Scandinavian countries but have since been gaining traction elsewhere — including the Sea to Sky Corridor.
“It’s an event that’s meant to be for the average person,” said Yeager. “It’s kind of the equivalent of a Sun Run for cross-country skiing.”
Just as the Vancouver Sun Run is a family-friendly race that draws people of all abilities, Sigge’s Payak aims to do the same, but for cross-country skiing.
You’ll get parents towing their babies behind them, five-year-olds scrambling through the circuit alongside teens, young adults and people in their 70s.
Paranordic skiers are also welcome.
One particular highlight will be the return of Maya Jonas, a blind skier who will be completing the 15-kilometre course with her guide Jamie Stirling.
At the moment, Yeager’s expecting more than 500 people to attend the race. This may grow to over 700 if registration keeps up at the rate it’s been going.
“This is the only one in B.C. that I can think of in bc that has increasing registration every year,” she said.
People can choose between competing in 15, 30 or 50 kilometre races, which sometimes run through legacy Olympic circuits.
The event is organized by Callaghan Valley Cross Country, along with the support of numerous local ski clubs, such as the Sea to Sky Nordics and the Whistler Nordic Ski Club.
The race begins at the Whistler Olympic Park.
More details are at www.payak.ca.
