Registration opens: Registration for all Saskaloppet events will be online at www.zone4.ca.   Search "La Ronge Don Allen Saskaloppet 2020" or "La Ronge Don Allen Saskaloppet Kupesewin 2020" (for the 2-day Kupesewin events).  Event options and fees will be set out in the online registration form.

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Registration deadline: March 2 with no late fee.  March 5 @9am with late fee.  NO REGISTRATION ON-SITE. Registered skiiers have the option to change their distance when they pick up their bib.

 

Refunds: In the event that organizers cancel any event, or reject a previously accepted application, they reserve the right to keep a portion of the fees to cover costs incurred. They reserve the right to cancel or alter any or all events, at any time, without notice or liability.

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Click here for route details >

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• 2 km ORANO Jackrabbit Glide

• 5 km ORANO Lake Challenge 

• 12 km Eagle Point Precambrian Passage 

• 20 km Air Ronge Challenge  

• 38 km Lac La Ronge Indian Band Raven's Tradition 

• 56 km Sask Energy Enduro

• 52 km and 77 km Robertson Trading Kupesewin

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General Notes:

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1. All trails will be groomed for skate and classic. 

2. Checkpoints are located every four to nine kilometers and have radio contact, first aid, toilets, beverages, food, a campfire and friendly volunteers. 

3. All events except the 2km event start at 10am sharp on the ice in front of the La Ronge Legion Hall, 1400 La Ronge Avenue. 

4. The 2km event starts at 11am sharp at the Nut Point campground and finishes at the Nut Point campground. Parking is available at the campground.

5. The 5km event starts at 10am sharp at the Legion and finishes at Nut Point campground. Free return bus service to the Legion is available.  Parking is available at Nut Point.

6. There will be awards for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place skiers in each age category and event, except for the 2km and 5km Jackrabbit Glide and Lake Challenge, which provides an award for each young skier.

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Click here for course map

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Skiers in the main Saturday events may pick up their race package and bib at the Meet & Greet reception on Friday evening from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m., at the La Ronge Legion Hall.  Or, they can pick up their race package and bib  on Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the La Ronge Legion.

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Friendly volunteers at conveniently located checkpoints provide food, refreshments, shelter, encouragement, a warm fire, First Aid and toilets. If necessary, you may leave the trail at any checkpoint and be transported back to La Ronge. Be sure to dress appropriately for winter conditions. Check points are marked on the Course Map above.

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The Don Allen Saskaloppet is a timed event.  Finish times are all recorded on skiers’ finishing certificates.  Finish times will also be posted on www.zone4.ca and posted on the La Ronge Ski Club's race results web page.

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• Click here for 2020 results

• Click here for past results

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The post-Saskaloppet banquet celebrates the top skiiers with an evening of awards, including free entertainment from popular folk duo Madison Violet (hosted by the La Ronge Arts Council).  It all takes place at beautiful Eagle Point Resort.  Tickets are available to purchase when registering online for the Saskaloppet.  Doors open at 6pm with supper and awards to follow.  Concert starts at 8:00pm.

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For more information, contact Saskaloppet Chair Dorothy Looyestein at (306) 425-7328 (days) or (306) 425-2807 (evenings) or e-mail dmacauley@sasktel.net

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After the La Ronge Ski Club was formed in the early 1970's, Club membership grew and Club volunteers began cutting trails by hand. The late Don Allen of English Bay was instrumental in this early trail development. With help from friends such as Guy Niven, George Searson, and Vern Studer, Don soon had a network of trails running through the boreal forest north of La Ronge.

 

By the fall of 1982, Don and his friends decided that La Ronge was ready for its own loppet and plans were put in place to run the inaugural Saskaloppet the following spring. A great deal of work had to be done to get the rough local trails ready for visitors, but many volunteer hours accomplished the task. The first Saskaloppet went ahead on March 20, 1983, with 120 skiers signing up for the only distance category available - a ski of 50 kilometres. The event was a huge success, and the Saskaloppet was on its way to becoming the premier loppet in Saskatchewan.

 

Sadly, Don Allen, the driving force that gave life to the first Saskaloppet, did not live to see the Saskaloppet grow through the years. In 1983, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour, and he died on March 13th, 1984, just a week before the 2nd Saskaloppet. That year, his son Vern, racing against the best skiers in the province, crossed the finish line in 1st place.

 

Over the years, the Saskaloppet, now named in Don Allen's memory, has grown from a single distance event to one that offers skiers a broad range of choices.