January 29, 2014 (Callaghan Valley, BC) – The timing couldn’t be better – fresh snow is coming to the Sea to Sky this week, and so is the last early bird deadline for the Sigge’s Payak! Trail conditions at Whistler Olympic Park, home of the Sigge’s Payak Cross Country Ski Event, have been unparalleled over the last two weeks, despite the lack of new snow and warmish weather. There is plenty of snow on the trails and they are firm and fast.

“The trails are in very good condition for both classic and skate, some of the best I’ve experienced at the Park. Even if it didn’t snow again before race day, we could hold the event,” said event chair Dirk Rohde. But the weather forecast is for dropping temperatures and precipitation, to coincide with the early bird deadline for registration of January 31.

“Registration has been a little slow, but we’re hoping some snow capped mountains will turn people’s minds off the bike and onto the skinny skis,” said Rohde.

There will be a special visit to the event this year from Klister, an 8-foot tall rabbit. Klister is the Cross Country Canada mascot and reportedly loves showing off his stuff on the skinny skis.

There have been some changes to the race this year. The Prime event was discontinued, but that prize money is rolled into the pot, so a total of $3400 is up for grabs in the 30 and 50 kilometre loppets. All racers and volunteers receive a custom Buff headband, and there is a multitude of draw prizes from Salomon, Fischer and Swix.

All loppet races will be on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Due to the BC Winter Games, the Kids’ Tournament and Youth Ski Cross will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2014.

For more information, go to www.payak.ca or check out the twitter feed @payakentsut.