RACE EVENTS: Saturday, January 17, 2026 10:00 AM, Loppet – Classic Technique
RACE LOCATION: Larch Hills Ski Area – Salmon Arm, BC
HOST CLUB: Larch Hills Nordic Society
SANCTIONED BY: NORDIQ CANADA; CROSS COUNTRY BC
RULES: NORDIQ CANADA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Our 32 km competitive course consists of one loop of challenging, single loop, track-set trail that traverses some higher elevations. Skiers who wish to ski shorter distances (10km and 17km) and younger skiers (17 & younger) ski selected portions of the competitive course. There are separate courses and finish line for skiers aged 2 – 7 (1km and 2km courses). The 1km and 2km use the Main Start line. (Parents are welcome to accompany their children aged 9 & younger.)
Registration
- Online Registration Only – opening December 5, 2025. Participation waiver is part of the Zone 4 registration.
- Payment must accompany all registrations.
- REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 11:59PM PST, Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
- Regular Registration Fees: December 1, 2025 – January 7, 2026 11:59 pm PST
- Late Registration Fees: January 8, 2026 – January 14, 2026 11:59 pm PST.
- Registrations AFTER January 14, 2026 will not be accepted.
- Category Changes will not be accepted on Race Day.
Contact the Race Secretary with issues regarding registration or to report any corrections that need to be made: reino@skilarchhills.ca
ENTRY FEES
Race entry fee includes aprés ski lunch at the hill. Participants who choose to attend the Aprés Ski Social at SASCU Recreation Centre will receive one complimentary wine ticket or non-alcoholic beverage at the venue.
| RACE FEES | on or before Jan. 7, 2026 | on or after Jan. 8, 2026 |
| 7 & under | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| 8 to 17 Competitive | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| 18 & Over Competitive | $50.00 | $75.00 |
| Recreational | $50.00 | $75.00 |
Cancellation / Refund Policy
All registration fees submitted to the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet are non-refundable. If conditions force the organizers to cancel the Loppet, we reserve the right to cover our costs incurred. Cancellations by participants for medical or personal reasons will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Licenses
The RKS Loppet is a Tier 3 Event. A race license is required of all participants in a Tier 3 event, regardless of whether they hold a Nordiq Canada Race License, Development License, or Associate Race License. The license fee ($3.00) will be automatically added to all race registrations on Zone 4 and the revenues sent directly to Nordiq Canada.
Bib Pick-up
Bib pick-up will be at the Larch Hills Chalet on race day from 8:00 am-9:30 am. There will be no bib pick-up the night before.
Race Categories
******** Registration will close at 11:59 PM PST, Wednesday, January 14, 2026 ************
Race Events (for Male & Female; age at December 31, 2025).
Minimum age of 2 years old. (Age as of Dec. 31/25)
Participants can choose to race UP in the next category.
| CATEGORY | YOB | START TIME |
| 1 KM “slight hills” 2 to 7 | 2018 – 2023 | 10:20 AM |
| 2 KM “some bigger hills” 2 to 7 | 2018 – 2023 | 10:20 AM |
| 5 KM (9 or younger) | 2016 – 2020 | 10:15 AM |
| 5 KM (10 – 11) | 2014 – 2020 | 10:15 AM |
| 10 KM (13 or younger) | 2012 – 2020 | 10:15 AM |
| 10 KM (80 or older) | 1925 – 1945 | 10:15 AM |
| 10 KM Recreational | ALL | 10:15 AM |
| 17 KM (17 or younger) | 2008 – 2020 | 10:15 AM |
| 17 KM (70 to 79) | 1946 – 1955 | 10:15 AM |
| 17 KM (80 or older) | 1925 – 1945 | 10:15 AM |
| 17 KM Recreational | ALL | 10:15 AM |
| 32 KM (29 or younger) | 1996 or Later | 10:00 AM |
| 32 KM (30 – 39) | 1986 – 1995 | 10:00 AM |
| 32 KM (40 – 49) | 1976 – 1985 | 10:00 AM |
| 32 KM (50 – 59) | 1966 – 1975 | 10:00 AM |
| 32 KM (60 – 69) | 1956 – 1965 | 10:00 AM |
| 32 KM (70 or older) | 1955 or later | 10:00 AM |
| 32 KM Recreational | ALL | 10:00 AM |
Para Categories
Please contact the Race Secretary for the Para Category you would like to enter.
Start Times
| 10:00 AM | 17 KM & 32 KM |
| 10:15 AM | 5 KM & 10 KM |
| 10:20 AM | 1 KM & 2 KM |
General Race Info
SEEDING/START LINEUP: Starting lineup for all categories will be self-seeding.
BIB PICKUP: Race packets will be available at Larch Hills Chalet, Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 8:00 am – 9:30 a.m. Bib pick-up will not be available the day before.
FACILITIES: A day lodge with running water and washrooms is on site, plus 3 outdoor porta-potties and several outhouses.
FOOD & DRINKS: Hot lunch is served at the finish line.
AID STATIONS: Every 10 km or less.
TIME LIMITS: There are cut-off times at the following locations:
• 11:30 AM – Larch Hills Road at Baby Moonwalk, 32 km course (at 8 km) – Skiers are directed down Baby Moonwalk and may ski the remainder of the course.
• 1:15 PM – Stadium, 32 km course (at 25 km) – Skiers are directed to the Finish.
WARM UP/ WAX TESTING: The courses will be open until 9:50 AM (10 minutes prior to race start time). Wax testing and warm-up will be available on course until the course is closed. Off course wax testing and warm-up area are limited during the event.
WAXING: There is space for team tents along the North side of the parking lot in front of the Chalet, or along the East side of the chalet as far as the accessible washroom. Teams must supply their own wax tents. Power outlets are available.
Following Nordiq Canada’s “Fluorinated ski wax prohibition” (rule 222.8), the use of fluorinated wax or tuning products containing fluorine is prohibited.
The following are Not Permitted:
• Fluorinated grip wax (of any type)
• Fluorinated glide wax (of any type)
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Visit https://skilarchhills.ca/trailreport/ or see the information board in the stadium day of race.
ACCOMMODATIONS: See list of hotels and motels in Salmon Arm at the following link at SHUSWAP TOURISM.
Cold Weather Policy
Following Nordiq Canada’s “Cold Weather Precautions” (rule 388):
• The Jury will consider temperature, duration of exposure and clothing/protection against cold weather.
• If the temperature is forecast to be between -15 °C and -25 °C, recommendations regarding cold weather will be made available to the competitors.
• If the temperature on course is -25 °C or below, the race will be delayed or cancelled.
• With any difficult weather conditions (e.g., strong wind, heavy snow, icy track), the Jury may postpone, shorten, change route or cancel the competition.
Events Awards
Category Awards:
Awards for all categories – except Recreational. Recreational participants are entered into a prize draw.
Trophies to overall winners. Awards to median skiers.
1 KM and 2 KM – All participants receive a Cookie Medal at the Finish Line
5 KM and 10 KM (17 & younger): Presented in the Stadium at 11:30 am.
10 KM (80 or older), 17 KM and 32 KM: Presented in the Stadium at 1:30 pm.
Draw Prizes for participants and volunteers will be posted in the Stadium at 8:30 AM. Prizes will be numbered and assigned to the name drawn. Prizes can be collected upstairs/main floor of the Larch Hills Chalet. Prizes not collected will be donated to upcoming LHNS events.
For Further Information
Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet
Box 218
Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 4N3
Email: reino@skilarchhills.ca