November 10, 2013 (Callaghan Valley, BC) – The snow is falling on the Sea to Sky Highway, and that can only mean one thing – cross country ski season is about to start!

Organizers of the Sigge’s Payak Cross Country Ski Event are eagerly looking forward to another record setting event, which will be held over two days this year. All loppet races will be on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Due to the BC Winter Games, the Kids’ Tournament and Youth Ski Cross cannot be held on the same day, so it will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2014. Registration is already open and filling, with the first of several early-bird deadlines rapidly approaching.

All registrations for the Sigge’s Payak Loppet events received before 10 p.m. on November 13, 2013 will be entered into a draw for one of two early-bird season passes to Ski Callaghan/Whistler Olympic Park.

The season pass draw will take place on November 13, 2013 at Sigge’s Sport Villa’s annual club night sale. Click here to see the deals for members of cross country ski clubs at Sigge’s that day. Ski club members will receive 15% off all purchases, and anyone registered for the Payak will receive an additional 5% discount (total of 20%). Pretty nice deal on those new Fischer skis you’ve been wanting for Christmas!

Event Chair Dirk Rhode says a number of fine tuning changes are being made to keep improving the race. “We found the same people were winning the primes, a separate sprint within the loppet, so that was discontinued and the $1,000 cash prize rolled into the winners’ purse,” said Rhode. This brings the prize money for the loppet up to $3,400.

“Each year, we are seeing 20% increases in registration, so it will not be long before we reach our goal of being an international destination event. Our success is proof of the popularity of cross country, which is in a growth phase,” Rhode said.

Last year Whistler Olympic Park assisted in placing route signs for the loppet course, which travels over the Olympic trails, old growth forest, and offers fabulous views of the Brandywine range, and those will stay in place.

“This is great because people who are sitting on the fence about the event can check out the course and see how great it is, that they can complete it, and it gives them confidence to register,” said Rhode.

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