May 21, 2009 (Whistler, BC) – British Columbia’s newest cross-country skiing loppet will kick-off on Saturday, February 19, 2011. Event organizers have earmarked Whistler Olympic Park, the cross-country ski venue for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Callaghan Valley as the host venue.

Sanctioned by Cross Country BC (CCBC) and hosted by the Callaghan Valley Cross-Country Ski Club, the loppet is supported by all the major cross-country ski clubs in the Sea-to-Sky corridor, from Pemberton to Vancouver. A cross-country ski festival with activities for all ages is also planned for the weekend. After the inaugural event, both the loppet and ski festival will take place on the last Saturday every February beginning in 2012.

Organizers are keen to develop a loppet that will attract skiers and supporters from around the world to some of North America’s most spectacular trails. Skiers will wind through old growth cedar forests, pass waterfalls and be wowed by incredible mountain views. The course design is set to include portions of both the Olympic competition trails and the recreational Callaghan Valley trail system.

Loppets are popular cross-country citizen races for skiers of all ages and abilities, and typically attract a wide range of participants, from elite athletes, to those simply looking for an invigorating day on the trails.

“We are eager to work with CCBC and the local cross-country ski clubs to host such an event in our first year of legacy operations. Whistler 2010 Sport Legacies is well-positioned to ensure that the venues of the 2010 Winter Games leave positive legacies for all the communities it serves, while becoming a world-renowned organization for sport leadership and excellence,” said Paul Shore, Marketing & Business Development Manager for Whistler 2010 Sport Legacies.

“Whistler is quickly emerging as a major centre for Nordic activities. We are excited to see new events such as this being planned for the area. The loppet will play a significant role in establishing the Whistler area as a first-rate destination for cross-country skiing”, said John Rae, Manager of Strategic Alliances for the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

About Whistler 2010 Sport Legacies:
WSL2010 is a not-for-profit society that will own and operate three 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games venues after the conclusion of the Games – the Whistler Olympic Park, the Whistler Sliding Centre, and the Whistler Athlete’s Centre. The organization’s mission is to operate its Olympic legacy venues to advance high performance sport development and recreational sport participation. Visit whistler2010sportlegacies.com for further details about the organization.

About the Callaghan Valley Cross Country Ski Club:
The Callaghan Valley Cross Country Ski Club (CVCCSC), a member of the provincial (CCBC) and national (CCC) organizations that govern the sport of cross-country skiing in Canada, organizes high level, sanctioned cross-country ski events in the Callaghan Valley. It is an incorporated, not-for-profit club with representation from all the established cross-country ski clubs in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.

About Cross Country BC:
Cross Country BC (CCBC) is the sport governing body for cross country skiing in British Columbia. The Association partners with the other provincial/territorial sport governing bodies for cross-country skiing and together they form the national sport organization – Cross Country Canada. CCBC is an incorporated, not-for-profit, club-based Association of 14,000 members.