Arggghhhh, mateys! The Larch Hills Pirate Loppet is a fun-filled day on the trails for SD#83 elementary school skiers. Choose your adventure with 1 km, 2 km or 5 km courses, then come back to the chalet to warm up with hot dogs and hot beverages. There are prizes, plenty of pirate spirit and lots of fun for everyone! Everyone is encouraged to dress up in your best pirate gear and come enjoy a great day of skiing, smiles and winter adventure at Larch Hills.
Rental Equipment
Need extra equipment? John’s Ski Shack has approximately 10 sets of children’s cross-country skis, boots and poles available for rent for schools that don’t have enough equipment for all participating students.
Book your rentals early! Equipment is limited and may go quickly.
Please note: Skookum Bike & Ski does not have children’s cross-country skis, boots or poles available for rent.
Food
Hot dogs and hot beverages will be served outside the chalet to young skiers and event volunteers, thanks to the awesome Shuswap Lady Striders, who are hosting the lunch.
Hot dogs and hot beverages will also be available to others by donation. All donations support “Skis for Schools” grants, helping SD #83 elementary school classes purchase cross-country ski equipment and get more kids out on the snow!
Class Photos
An area on the east side of the Stadium will be designated for class photos beginning around 11:40 a.m. Please listen for your school’s name to be called and then make your way to the designated photo area.
Photos will be distributed digitally to teachers through the SD83 Office following the Pirate Loppet.
Prizes & Awards
There are lots of draw prizes to be won!
The highly coveted Pirate Flag is awarded to the school with the largest proportional representation at the Pirate Loppet.
We’ll also award prizes for the best Pirate Loppet costumes — two prizes for younger students and two for older students.
There are no individual medals and no race results are recorded. The focus is on having fun, enjoying the trails and celebrating the spirit of the Pirate Loppet!
Draw Prize Sponsors: John’s Ski Shack and HUB International Insurance
School Responsibilities
- Register students, collect the $5 registration fee, and process registrations according to the registration package sent to schools in the first week of January.
- Complete required school board waiver forms in accordance with school policies.
- Assign chaperones as required by school board activity policies.
- Arrange student transportation to and from the event, ensuring students arrive at the Larch Hills Parking Lot by 9:30 a.m. on Friday, TBA, 2027, and depart by 1:30 p.m.
- Teachers accompanying school groups are responsible for supervising and accounting for their students and ensuring they return safely to their school at the conclusion of the event.
Contact Info
Pirate Loppet “Captain”:
Megan Weir mweir@sd83.bc.ca
Schools Ski Host Program Coord.: TBA
Pirate Loppet Event Host Committee
- Megan Weir
- Leanne Britnell & the Shuswap Lady Striders
- Angela Carson
- Megan Moore
- Tammy Isaac
- Ron Britnell
- Tom Peasgood
- John Wilson
- David Wallensteen
- George Zorn
The first Larch Hills Pirate Loppet was held on January 21, 2005 with 125 students participating. Thanks to ‘Captain’ Brian Smith for leading the event in 2005 – 2015 and to ‘Captain’ Chris McMahen for leading the event in 2016 – 2018!
Course Information
Courses
Choose from 1km, 2km or 5km routes.
The 1KM and 2KM courses are intended for younger or less experienced skiers. Participants can decide, along with their teacher, what course to do.
Ski Ability
Participants MUST be able to control their speed on the occasional down hill sections with a strong snow plough or wedge.
There is one 100-meter-long uphill section with an average 5% grade on Metford Road between Pika Lane and Marmot Lane on the 5K route.
Click on map to enlarge
Technique Videos
Snow Plough Technique (2 min. 45 sec.)
Herring Bone Technique (36 sec. and 24 sec.)
Larch Hills Skis for Elementary Schools Program
A total of $51,600 has been distributed to 16 Schools in K?wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw – School District 83 between 2011 and 2025 to purchase children’s XC skis, boots and poles.
Thank you! to our Pirate Loppet Sponsors listed below for their generous cash donations. Together with in-kind donations by the sponsors shown on the Pirate Loppet event poster and the $5 per student registration fee, the Pirate Loppet host committee and our Sponsors have enabled the purchase of about 370 sets of skis, boots and poles since 2011 among these 16 SD#83 schools.
- Askew’s Foods
- CSRD – Shuswap Tourism
- Hub International Insurance Brokers
- Hudson Dental Clinic
- Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union
- School District #83
- School PAC matching grants
- Shuswap Community Foundation
- Skookum Bike & Ski
The Larch Hills Nordics School Pirate Loppet Host Committee plans to continue the Skis for Schools initiative since local XC ski rental equipment is limited.
