February 16, 2018 (Gatineau, QC) – The Gatineau Loppet Organizing Committee is just putting the finishing touches on the 40th edition of the biggest international cross-country ski event in Canada. Skiers of every calibre, from some 20 different countries, will get to share a memorable experience in the festive atmosphere along the trails of Gatineau Park. At this point, there are still some spots in each race, so if you would like to join in, all you need to do is go to École Secondaire Mont-Bleu starting At 5 P.M. today to register.

Gatineau Loppet President Claude Laramée would like to thank the many skiers who have registered, and to invite Gatineau residents to stop by this grand celebration of cross-country skiing, fat bike and snowshoe racing. “The Gatineau Loppet is a unique opportunity for Gatineau Park regulars to experience the linear trail crossing three cities (Gatineau, Chelsea and La Pêche), to ski with people from around the world in a festive atmosphere (music along the trail, some history, medals for everyone, maple taffy, microbrewery beer at the end of each race, tuques for participants in the 51 km races…) and to challenge themselves. We’ve been delighted with the snowfall over the past few weeks, and ski conditions are excellent along the trails used for the Gatineau Loppet,” indicated Mr. Laramée.

The weekend schedule in a nutshell, is as follows:

Friday, February 16:
– 5 to 9 p.m. Opening of the XC Ski Show and registration
– Soirée après-ski: At the Chelsea Pub

Saturday, February 17: Classic style and fat bike race day
– 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Opening of the XC Ski Show, Agora and registration
– 7:45 a.m. Buses leave for the 51 km classic (Swix) starting in the La Pêche municipality (P17)
– 8:45 a.m. Start of the 40 km linear fat bike race from the Hautes-Plaines golf course and
Start of the 20 km and 10 km Fat Bike race from the Hautes-Plaines golf course
– 9 a.m. Start of the 51 km (Swix) in the La Pêche municipality (P17) and
Start of the 27 km (Otto’s Subaru and BMW) from École secondaire Mont-Bleu
– 1 p.m. Start of the 15km (Auclair) from École secondaire Mont-Bleu
– 1:10 p.m. Start of the 5 km (Physio Avantage Plus) from École secondaire Mont-Bleu
– 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Awards ceremony at the XC Ski Show
– 4:30 to 6 p.m. Worldloppet Cocktail in the Agora

Sunday, February 18: Freestyle (skate) and snowshoe race day
– 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Opening of the XC Ski Show, Agora and registration
– 7:45 a.m. Buses leave for the 51 km freestyle (Chelsea and La Pêche) starting in the La
Pêche municipality (P17)
– 9 a.m. Start of the 51 km (Chelsea and La Pêche) in the La Pêche municipality (P17) and
Start of the 27 km (NCC) from École secondaire Mont-Bleu
– Noon Start of the Mini 2 km (Sport Échange Outaouais) from École secondaire Mont-Bleu
– 1 p.m. Start of the 10km (MEC) from École secondaire Mont-Bleu
– 1:20 p.m. Start of the snowshoe races from École secondaire Mont-Bleu
– 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Awards ceremony at the XC Ski Show

We would like to remind you that tomorrow evening, at the traditional Worldloppet cocktail, the Gatineau Loppet will induct Richard Weber into the Legend’s Path, Ville de Gatineau as a Core Partner, and three new members into the Veterans Club. The Legend’s Path honours persons or organizations with a connection to the Gatineau Loppet who have marked the event through their performances or contributed to the development or renown of the Gatineau Loppet or of cross-country skiing in general, and the Veterans Club aims to recognize Gatineau Loppet participants who have taken part in at least 35 medium- or long-distrance races.

The Gatineau Loppet would like to thank its partners, Ville de Gatineau, Swix, Otto’s BMW and Subaru, Hendrick Farm, Nordik Spa-Nature, Fischer, Auclair, MEC, Sport Échange Outaouais, Chelsea Pub, Biscotti, Xact Nutrition, Physio Avantage Plus, Canada Economic Development, the Government of Quebec, Tourisme Outaouais, the National Capital Commission (NCC), the municipality of Chelsea, the municipality of La Pêche, Winterlude, the Centre local de développement des Collines-de-l’Outaouais, the Embassy of Sweden, the Crowne Plaza, the Ramada Plaza Manoir du Casino and the many official suppliers, corporate partners and major contributors. For additional information, go to gatineauloppet.com.