Race Day

9am start, Sunday, January 19th, 2025 on Lake Louise

Start list (to follow)

The start line is on the frozen Lake Louise in front of the Chateau Lake Louise. This is a classic technique only race. Mass start. The finish line is 46km east down the valley at Castle Junction. Please review important NEW course information here

Registration

2025 registration opens december 1, 2024 on zone4.ca

Cancellation

If you need to cancel your registration, please email lltobanffloppet@gmail.com. We offer a partial $35 refund available until Sunday, January 12, 2025. The $30 shuttle fee is non-refundable.

Is there a race meeting?

Yes. Race meeting is at 8h30 in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in on the lower level of the Mount Temple wing in the Beehive Lakeshore Room (not the Saddleback room). We will review any recent wildlife sightings to be aware of and course info. Give yourself plenty of time to pickup your bib and timing chips beforehand.

Where is Race Package Pickup?

In the Chateau Lake Louise “Trails Room”. 7:00-8:50am. Race package includes: race bib for you and your team (if applicable), GoChip (one per person or one per team), souvenir custom NoSo Patch out of Jackson Hole, WY. We think this custom patch would do wonders on your ripped outdoor gear. Please bring your 2024 collapsible cup souvenir for aid station drinks!! Race package also includes drink tickets for the banquet.

Where is bib pickup?

At the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the “Trails Room”. Follow the signs in the Chateau. Bib pickup is with race package pickup: 7h30-8h50. You are responsible for picking up bibs for ALL relay members and a timing chip (one per team) by 8h50. Give yourself ample time for rack package pickup and make sure one of your teammates is at the 0830h race meeting. The bibs MUST be returned after the race to a checkpoint or finish volunteer.

What about timing?

Timing is done with a ‘Go Chip’ from Zone4 timing. You will pickup a chip that corresponds to your team/solo bib number at bib pickup (pickup 7:30-8:50am in the Saddleback room at the Chateau Lake Louise). This is a velcro chip that attaches to your wrist or ankle (doesn’t matter) and takes your time as you ski over a buried cable at the various checkpoints. This timing chip is your/team’s timer! One timing chip per person. One timing chip per team. Relay members will need to pass their chip to their teammates at the relevant exchange station (think of the timing chip as a relay baton). Please return the chip when you finish. If you end the race early, hand in your chip to the closest volunteer station. You will be charged $70 per unreturned timing chip.

What about the feed stations?

You can expect food and drink at the Lake Louise Level Railway Crossing, Baker Creek Trailhead, Castle Lookout Trailhead and the finish line at Castle Junction. There will be warm Gatorade, bars and cookies at each station. Cups are provided, however, to limit waste we recommend carrying your own drink belt, water bottle or the collapsible cup included in your 2024 registration!! The earth thanks you!

What do I do with my warm layers at the start?

Either leave it with a teammate or label it and place it in the labelled bin of your finish line at the race package pickup/race meeting in Chateau Lake Louise Saddleback room (7:30am-8:50am). We have clothing transport to each exchange station and the finish line.

Are there time cutoffs?

Yes. There is one time cutoff at Lake Louise level rail crossing (end of Leg 2, approximately 30km from the start). If you do not cross through this exchange by 12h45 (3.75hrs after the start) you will be asked to hand in your bib. This helps us keep racers both racers and volunteers within a manageable distance for safety.

What do I do If i see an animal?

Slow down and give them space! 300m for large predators and 100m for grazers when possible. Proceed when safe to do so. Report to the nearest volunteer check-point. They have radios and we have event protocols designed with Parks Canada to manage properly depending on the situation. We recommend skiers carry bear spray with them. You are travelling in a wildlife corridor. Predators (bears, cougars, wolverines, wolves) and grazers (mule deer, elk, moose) frequent the area. Please travel with a cellphone and the Banff Dispatch number entered: 403-762-1470.

Report concerning wildlife sightings to Banff dispatch: 403-762-1470. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1

Is there cell service on course?

It is patchy. Cell service is most reliable near Lake Louise and Castle Junction. It is patchy the rest of the way.

What if I get lost or hurt or want to end the race early?

Review course info as best you can. If you need emergency help, try to find the closest volunteer aid station (every 10-15km) or head to the Bow Valley Parkway (the course parallels this road and is frequented by public traffic). We recommend you travel with a cell phone to try to call for help yourself, however, the cell reception is patchy! Each aid station has a radio and can call for help as necessary. If you want to end the race early, let a volunteer know and hand in your timing chip at the closest aid station!

ARe there other skiers on course?

Yes. The course is open to the public. Please be respectful. Stay to the right when possible. Faster skiers should pass on the left.

What about road crossings?

Vehicles have right of way! There are volunteers to help you cross, but use your judgment. Take your skis off on Lake Louise Drive to cross. Along the Bow Valley Parkway, you can ski over the thread of snow if there’s a volunteer shovelling snow onto the road way.

What can I expect?

This is not a world cup course nor Canmore Nordic Centre race. Expect to be blown away by great views, grassroots skiing and maybe some willows poking through the trail. There are numerous sections where folks need to take skis off to walk over road crossings. We are 100% volunteer-run and appreciate the patience!

Where do I go?

If you are Leg 1 or a soloist, you being on the frozen Lake Louise at 9am and proceed to valley bottom. The course is marked with orange flags as best as possible. We still recommend you review the course map here. We also recommend chatting through with your teammates to know who starts where.

What about the costume category?

Important! There are now solo AND team costume categories. Submit your solo/team costume name and photo to lltobanffloppet@gmail.com by 4pm on event day to be registered! Winners will be announced at the Banquet.

Weather

What is the forecast?

Variable! Overnight lows are typically around -15 in Lake Louise. Daytime highs are anywhere from -1 in Lake Louise to +3 at Castle Junction. We recommend checking the weather on different sites for the best gauge. Here’s a good starting forecast.

What wax should I use?

Classic skis are waxed with both glide and grip wax. Glide wax is ironed on and you should aim for a 0 to -15 range). Kick wax should be applied closer to the event. We recommend checking the weather the day. Expect to have the conditions warm from a cooler start in Lake Louise to the finish line at Castle Junction (anywhere from 2-6 degrees Celcius difference). We are happy to share that Norseman Outdoor Specialists will have wax tent setup at the Boat House (7:45-9am) on Lake Louise on Saturday morning! ProTip: applying and ironing in a base layer of cold grip wax and corking in the night before helps the top layers bind for the day-of wax decision. Additionally, applying grip wax outdoors and allowing it to cool in the snow beforehand will help limit the amount of moisture buildup that leads to clumping in warmer conditions. Check out Trail Sports in Canmore or Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise for more waxing info.

Parking

Where do I park In Banff?

If you take the shuttle, we recommend parking on Bow Avenue. Shuttle leaves from Wolf Street/Bow Avenue (near canoe docks, not Central Park) parking lot at 07h00. Free 24hr parking with a valid park pass on Bow Avenue.

Where do I park in Lake Louise?

If you are leaving your vehicle at the Chateau Lake Louise, park your vehicle (with valid Park pass) at the public Chateau Lake Louise parking lot and walk to the Chateau.

Where Do I park at the Trailhead?

For the Lake Louise railway crossing (Leg 1 finish, Leg 2 start), please park along the Lake Louise campground access road and NOT along the railway access road. Walk to the start. For Baker Creek (Leg 2 finish, Leg 3 start), you may park at either Baker Creek Chalets or at the trailhead. For Castle Lookout (Leg 3 finish, Leg 4 start), park at the trailhead parking lot; this area gets tight so please park as efficiently as possible. For. Castle Junction (finish), you can park in the public parking (close to the Hostel) on the east side of the junction. Additional parking is in the Castle Junction parking. Do not park on the Bow Valley Parkway.

Transportation

What are the shuttle details?

The Banff Airporter shuttle has 35 seats available (1x 24 passenger, 1x 11 passenger). You may bring your skis and poles with you on the shuttle. There will be a volunteer and a driver to help you load your skis into the shuttle. The shuttle busses leave from the corner of Wolf St. and Banff Ave (near boat launch) at 07h00 on race day morning. The shuttles go directly to the Chateau Lake Louise and arrive at appx 08h00. The $30 non-refundable fee reserves your spot on the morning shuttle.

Once the race starts, the shuttles visit each exchange station, picking up people as required and travels east ONLY (i.e. does not return to the Chateau Lake Louise). The return shuttle is free and is great for relay racers who finish at one spot on the course but have a vehicle parked further east. Final shuttle from Castle Junction to Banff leaves at 1:30pm or whenever the seats are full. The final shuttle will be back in Banff by 2pm. The return shuttle will do a drop off at Wolf Street and the Banff Centre for the banquet.

what about my clothing?

You can place your clothing in a labeled bag (name, phone number) at race package pickup. A lovely Loppet volunteer will deliver it to the respective checkpoint labelled on your bag. Any unclaimed items will go to the Banff Centre banquet.

Washrooms

Where are the closest washrooms?

Lake Louise: Public parking lot washrooms or Chateau Lake Louise

Lake Louise Campground: no public washrooms open at this time

Baker Creek: Parks Canada maintains the outhouses at Baker Creek trailhead.

Castle Lookout: No public washrooms

Castle Junction: Parks Canada maintains outhouses at the Rockbound Lake trailhead.

Banquet

Sounds fun! Where, what time?

Join us for the infamous awards banquet, draw prizes, appetizers and receive one free Wild Life Distillery beverage at the Banff Centre Kinnear Centre in rooms KC 101-103-105. 5pm on Sunday, January 19th, 2025.

Will there be food there?

Yes. Light snacks (e.g. bread rolls, cheese, cold cuts and fruit)

What about Drinks?

Yes! One delicious and refreshing Wild Life Distillery canned cocktail is included in your entry or volunteering role.

Prizes?

Of course. We have a large list of GREAT SPONSORS! Think: overnight accommodation at the Chateau Lake Louise and outdoor gear to keep you kitted! You must be present to win.

Souvenir

Pickup your awesome NoSo Custom Loppet patch at race package pickup (7h00-8h50 in the Saddleback room, Chateau Lake Louise).

Additional

Questions can be sent to Heidi Widmer at lltobanffloppet@gmail.com