Download your experience guide
Have you ever heard of a loppet? Neither had I until I started cross country skiing. It’s an odd word to our Canadian ears. That’s because it’s not an English word at all. It’s a Norwegian word meaning to run.
A loppet is a long distance cross country skiing event, usually covering 35 kilometres or more. I hear you saying “Ah ha,” because the link to Norwegian root word is making a whole lot more sense, since that’s the area of the globe that gave us cross country skiing in the first place.
Although the origins of a loppet are across the pond, you don’t have to take an expensive trip to get the same experience. In fact right here in the Eagle Point Provincial Park in the heart of Brazeau County you’ll find the Eagle Point Loppet, hosted by the Pembina Nordic Ski Club. This loppet offers a solid balance between entry level events and sprint sessions for competitive skiers.
What to expect once you get there:
For the past two years the Eagle Point Loppet has been a two day event hosted in mid-January or early February. The first day the trails are groomed for classic skiers and the second day is set aside for the freestyle skiers.
When you arrive at the ski trails, there are a number of signs and volunteers telling you where you can park. Tents and outhouses pepper the large parking area giving a place for skiers to take shelter. The big wood stove is crackling in the “old cabin” as skiers pile in to change out of their warming clothes into their ski outfits. In the new chalet “the Outdoor Education Centre” volunteers are registering skiers, and preparing their post event chilli lunch. Downstairs the ski patrol has set up shop in the event there is an emergency on the trails. Volunteers are scattered among the trails and start line, offering water and encouragement to the skiers. Outdoors the big fire pits are roaring and people are visiting around the picnic tables.
The atmosphere at the event is supportive and positive. Skiers are a-buzz discussing tail conditions and what wax combination works best. There are smiling faces even if mother nature decides to make things interesting.
Just how long is the ski race?
In 2025 the club held a kids 1km event, as well as a 5km and 15km event. The 1km loop was taken on by many of the Jackrabbit Kids in the learn to ski program and are user friendly for beginner adults, with only one downhill stretch to contend with.
The 5km trail follows the Ridge Trail for most of the event. There are two short downhill portions that may challenge the beginner skier but they are easily managed, leaving most of the trail relatively flat and fast.
The 15km route takes you over all of the terrain at the Pembina Nordic Ski trails with some fast downhills, and long uphill climbs, this can be an empowering challenge for the recreational skier.
This event is a great way to kick off your loppet ski season and a wonderful way to train for the big kahuna of Loppets, the Canadian Birkebeiner ski festival in Edmonton.
Registration for the event typically takes place in December leading up to the event and information can be found by searching the Pembina Nordic Ski Club.
