Close to 350 Take Part in Pirate Loppet
Almost 350 pirate skiers from nine different schools took to the hills for the annual Larch Hills Pirate Loppet on Friday, January 31, 2025.
With the traditional black powder cannon send off, the pirate skiers headed out over the well groomed trails through the snow covered forest! They arrived back at the finish line to cheers followed by refreshments at Larch Hills Chalet!
Congratulations to South Canoe Elementary, who won the coveted Pirate Flag with 72 per cent of their grade 3-5 students participating in the Loppet. A close second was Grindrod Elementary with 70 per cent.
The participating schools included Armstrong, Grindrod, Bastion, South Broadview, South Canoe, North Canoe, Ranchero, Hillcrest, Shuswap Middle School, Salmon Arm West, and Sorrento, along with a group of homeschool students.
“A hearty round of Pirate Cheers and a Treasure Chest full of thanks to all the community volunteers who helped support our community’s 20th Pirate Loppet,” comments Loppet organizer Megan Weir, who is also the vice principal at Bastion Elementary.
Not only is the Pirate Loppet fun for participants but it also benefits schools. The funds from the registration fee to take part in the Loppet, as well as donations from sponsors, goes towards supporting a Skis for Schools grant program. Each year the Pirate Loppet Committee awards grants to support schools to purchase cross-country ski equipment. Since 2011, more than $40,600 has been distributed to 16 local schools. Weir says she doesn’t yet know the total of funds raised, but that once again all proceeds raised will go towards supporting schools to purchase cross country ski equipment.
A huge thank you to the event sponsors, including Skookum Bike & Ski, Askews Foods, Stella-Jones, Hub, Tim Hortons, Hudson Dental, Shuswap Community Foundation, DeMille’s Farm Market & Orchard, Toliver Design Inc., SASCU, John’s Ski Shack, Salmon Arm Home Building Centre, Fifth Avenue 50Plus Activity Centre, H2O4U, Sarah’s Grassroots Photography, Shuswap Lady Striders, Vella Radio, Larch Hills Nordics, and SD83.
“An extra thank you to our many volunteers who went above and beyond to ensure the smooth running of the event,” said Weir. Volunteers included Mike “the Cannon Man” Brown from the Black Powder Club, Larch Hills safety hosts, and the 70 plus event day volunteers! Also, thank you to Craig McBride for videoing the event.
SD83 would also like to add a thank you to the Pirate Loppet Committee!
CHECK OUT SOME PHOTOS FROM SALMON ARM OBSERVER HERE
