The Saskaloppet is a major skiing event in Northern Saskatchewan. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

skiing

Warm weather leads to high Saskaloppet turnout

Mar 4, 2025 | 2:59 PM

The Don Allen Saskaloppet attracted 317 skiers from across Saskatchewan.

The annual event was held Feb. 28 and March 1, and it usually attracts around 200 skiers. Organizers of the competition, which ranges from two kilometers to 75 km, believe ideal weather conditions led to the high turnout.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the temperature was -10 C on March 1 during the mass start on Lac La Ronge. It rose to 0 C throughout the afternoon.

“I think it went exceeding well this year,” said Saskaloppet Chairperson Kevin Jackson.

“It went like a really well-oiled machine. I’ve been hearing from volunteers and participants over the last couple of days that they feel everything went so incredibly smoothly. A lot of that can be attributed to the weather and just the higher amount of volunteers and skiers who actually came out. It just made it feel a lot more like a community.”

SASK. BEER

Sask. brewers tap into local support as Trump tariffs leave a bitter aftertaste

5h ago

skiing

Warm weather leads to high Saskaloppet turnout

7h ago

NEW NORTH

Northern Sask. mayors revive lobby group to push for provincial action

8h ago

La Ronge’s Matt Mazurik took first in the 55 km male event, while Air Ronge’s Serenity Mack and Alina Mack were the only female competitors in 50 km race.

In the 35 km event, Hilary Johnstone placed second (50 and older), Haley Zarazun placed first (18 to 49), Casey Bernardin placed first and Amila Andrews placed second (female, 17 and under).

In the 20 km event, Rochelle and Svea Yelland both placed second (female, 18 and older), while Ed Ward and Matthew Koebernick placed second and third respectively (male, 18 and older).

In the 12 km event, Kaila Larson placed first and Amanda Frain placed second (female, 18 and older), and Martin Bernardin took first, Tyler Joorisity took second and Dan arnot took third (male, 18 and older). Hedde Andrews, Noa Bayda and Leah Koch took first, second and third, respectively, (female, 17 and under), and Ben Bayda and Eli Mayotte took first and second, respectively (male, 17 and under).

A full list of results can be found online here.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com