March 16 to 17, 2024: 10AM – 10AM
The Hard Day’s Night Backyard Ski Challenge is a 24-hour ski event at the Larch Hills Nordic Centre. The course is an 8.4 km loop through a spectacular fir forest, and across 2 bogs. Participants have 1 hour to complete the loop and must be ready to start the next loop after exactly 60 minutes. Each lap starts at the top of the hour as per the Backyard format. Early or late starts are not allowed. Skiers who complete the loop in under 60 minutes can use the remaining time to eat, drink, use the washroom or change their clothing or equipment. The event is designed to accommodate any level of skier allowing you to reach your own personal goals!
For example, you would ski…
- 200 km in 24 hours.
- 100 km in 12 laps.
- 50 km in 6 outings.
Ski as far as you dare!
Race Details
DATE & TIME: 10:00 AM March 16th to 10:00 AM March 17th, 2024.
Note to endurance fiends – the event is capped at a maximum of 24 laps!
FORMAT: Classic or Skate, you choose. You can also switch whenever you wish! Skiers have 1 hour to complete the 8.4km loop and must be back at the start line ready to ski at the beginning of each hour. Direction of the loop will switch every two laps between clockwise and counterclockwise.
LOCATION: Larch Hills Nordic Chalet, Salmon Arm, BC
HOST CLUB: Larch Hills Nordic Society. For current conditions and all club info check the website: www.larchhills.ca
RACE COMMITTEE: Chief of Competition: Abbi May; Race Secretary: Alan Corbett; Chief of Timing: Keith Hepburn, Chief of Stadium: Rob Hart; Planning: Laura Hepburn, Daphne Brown, Sheila Corbett, Sandra Major, Kari Wilkinson.
CONTACT: Race Secretary, Alan Corbett, for race info.: askacorbett@hotmail.com
REGISTRATION: All entrants must be registered and paid online on Zone4. There will be no registration on the day of the event! Participants must be 16 years of age to register.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 13th at 10:00 pm. Late entries will not be accepted!
FEES: $100 per entry (a 15% discount applies to all Larch Hills Nordic Society members) plus any Zone4 fees.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: The maximum number of participants is 100. Register early to avoid disappointment!
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Snacks and warm drinks will be provided for the full 24 hours and participants can rest in the chalet in between loops. Some athletes (especially those skiing through the night) may want to organize their own support team. Please note, however, that there may be limited space.
2. During the night, most of the loop will be on lit trails. Participants, however, must have a headlamp for the sections that are not lit.
COURSE MAP: Click here to download the Course Map PDF.
RESULTS: Available on Zone 4.
BIB/TIMING CHIP PICK-UP: Pick up bibs and timing chips in the Chalet between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM. Bibs and Timing Chips MUST be returned after your last loop!
AID STATIONS: Snacks and warm drinks will be available at the chalet for the full 24 hours. Any meals are the responsibility of the athlete. First Aid will be available on site for the full 24 hours.
LICENSING: Participants who are members of an existing BC cross-country ski club are covered by their membership insurance. Anybody who is not a member of an existing club will need to purchase a day license online during registration.
WAXING: All participants must follow the no-fluoro policy for grip and glide waxes as set out by Nordiq Canada. More info can be found at CCBC Rule Regarding the Use of Fluorinated Waxes v2.pdf (crosscountrybc.ca)
TIMING: Chip timing will be used with ankle bracelets. Bracelets must be returned after your last loop to avoid a fee for the bracelet (along with your bib)! Results will be provided for each loop that is completed.
AWARDS: Finisher medals with the distance you skied will be awarded to all participants.
PARKING: There is ample free parking at Larch Hills. However, portions of the parking lot can be excessively muddy and deep at this time of year.
REFUND POLICY: If the event is cancelled, a refund of registration fees less administration and event expenses will be provided.
WEATHER: Expect mild temperatures during the day but freezing temperatures are possible during the nighttime portion of the event. Dress accordingly and be wary of icy conditions!