The Canadian Ski Marathon is North America’s longest and oldest Nordic ski tour. Unlike most ski events, there are no winners or losers in the Canadian Ski Marathon: it is not a race. The event offers something for everyone, regardless of age, endurance or ability. Tourers and families who ski less than the full distance make up about half the participants. Each skier can select his/her own level of challenge and try to achieve it. One can ski as little as 12 km or up to a maximum of 160 km over the weekend.
The CSM takes place this February 8, 9, and 10 on a trail that is only groomed once per year in the Lachute – Montebello – Mont Tremblant & Gatineau region, Québec. The trail winds through mostly privately owned land in the picturesque western Laurentian mountains. There is an over-night stop in Montebello, home of the famous Château Montebello, one of the largest log-built hotels in the world.
The CSM is a two-day, 160-kilometre ski event that is divided into 5 sections each day, with an average of 16 km per section. Skiers of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate and can do so safely. There are feed stations, first aid and toilets available at the end of each section, as well as shuttle buses that run between accommodation and checkpoints throughout each day.
This wonderful weekend in February can be enjoyed by all. Not sure if you are ready, or just want to enjoy a few kilometres of this once a year course, or perhaps you want to ski the last section with someone who is completing their first CdB or their 4th gold Bar and are reaching ‘Permanent Bib’ status? Then check out our CSM-Taster category.
For those of you who want more than a single section and aren’t ready for a full 160 kilometres of skiing, but would love to try an event that covers two successive days, then you’ll want to enter our Half Marathon category.
Our most flexible and most popular classification is the “Touring” category. Now you can define your own ‘marathon’, a single day or two days, a single section or as many as you can cover. Put together your own challenge and then make it happen, it can be done in the Touring category.
Of course, our prize jewel is the Coureur des Bois category. This is the ultimate winter challenge; it covers the entire 10 sections over the weekend for a total of 160 km of classic Nordic skiing through woodland forests, rolling fields and even through a barnyard or two. Do you have what it takes to become a Coureur des Bois ?
Learn more at skimarathon.ca.
