The ever-popular Kananaskis Cookie Race is the latest warm weather casualty in Alberta, crumbling under the combination of poor and unpredictable snow in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
Organizers decided to pull the plug on the 38th annual event last week, citing bare sections on a handful of trails.
“Snow conditions were unsafe on a few segments of the trails. Some sections are in great shape, but the Cookie Race requires a lot of sections. The ones exposed to the afternoon sun, on Boulton and Moraine, there was no snow, and no snow in the woods we could shovel onto them,” said chief of race Tom Lambert. “The only way to save it would have been a big, natural snow fall.”
Snowfall in Kananaskis is only 22 per cent of its average this year, and temperatures have been much higher than the daily average of -8.1 C, according to Environment Canada data collected between 1981 and 2010.
The race traditionally attracts 500 ski racers and is usually a moneymaker for host club Foothills Nordic. The money raised goes back into jackrabbits programs, coaching and other expenses for the club. Participants were given a 75 per cent refund this year, so the club can absorb the hit, Lambert said. This is the first time in race history it’s been cancelled.
Although it attracts a smattering of top racers, the Cookie Race is generally aimed at recreational skiers, as cookie stations line the track. Lambert said it was a great entry into the sport for many.
“It was my first race long ago, and it was a sad day when we had to cancel it. We want to put on a safe event and an enjoyable one. It’s a highlight of the season for many … it’s a shame.”
The Cookie Race is one of six popular races cancelled this year on the cross-country ski calendar, according to Cross Country Alberta, a record for the organization. The Alberta 55-plus games were also cancelled after host Crowsnest Pass reported no snow.
“I can’t think of a year worse than this. Every event we’ve had, we’ve been on the fence about cancelling it due to conditions,” said Cross Country Alberta program co-ordinator Laura Filipow.
Dedicated skiers will still find a way to ski, Filipow said, but the sport will have fewer new skiers as a result of poor conditions. She said it’s difficult to cancel races, as organizers and volunteers donate countless hours to putting on excellent events.
“For the hardcore group in Alberta, I think it has affected them, but those skiers are still getting out. It is affecting those new to the sport,” Filipow said.
“One of the saddest things is we were trying to plan a ParaNordic demo day in Medicine Hat. We’ve had to cancel it twice because the weather has been so warm. People were excited about it. With these conditions, it’s very tough to promote the sport in a positive way.”
Clubs usually host races and use entry fees to pay for coaching and other programs.
Canmore Nordic Ski Club coach Alain Parent said the winter has been tough for local athletes, who’ve trained all year for specific races, only to see them cancelled.
“It does affect us. Athletes put in a lot of time training and we’ve seen a record number of cancellations. Early in the season, races were cancelled due to cold, and now no snow,” Parent said. “It’s a drag to train and not put it on the line and see where you stand provincially.”
Biathlon Alberta has also been affected by cancellations, as so many races have been moved or rescheduled, Alberta athletes have struggled to earn enough points to qualify for the national championships in Hinton.
Canmore Nordic’s Rocky Mountain Ski Challenge is still scheduled to run on March 15, and Foothills Nordic still has its Sharkfest race planned for April. They are encouraging skiers to sign up for the Lake Louise Loppett as an alternative, hosted by the Calgary Ski Club, on March 1.
Lambert said the Cookie Race will return next winter. This is his first year organizing the popular race, and he’s trying to look on the bright side, noting they have a head start on next year’s event.
“It’s an enjoyable race, and people who do it remember it for the rest of their lives,” Lambert said.
