Canadian Ski Marathon
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Ski Marathon is the world's longest ski tour. It is held annually just north of the Ottawa River
between the regions of Montreal
and Ottawa
, capital of Canada
, in February and usually covers a distance of 160 km (99.4 mi). However, it is a ski tour, not a race: participants challenge not each other, but themselves by choosing a level of difficulty and trying to accomplish that goal.
The Marathon, which has been running since Canada's Centennial year of 1967, consists of ten sections of varying lengths and difficulties which can either be skied together over the two days (five stages per day), or individually on subsequent days. Depending on the year, the direction of the race can vary. Typically, in even-numbered years participants ski eastward toward Lachute from the start in Buckingham
; odd numbered years see participants travel in the opposite direction. In both cases, the end of the first day of the Marathon has participants ending in (or near as is the case of certain skier classes) the scenic town of Montebello, Quebec
, where they will resume their proper course the following day.
The two-day event is open to anyone of any age or ability, but the course is extremely challenging in places, which skiers of lesser ability tend to avoid by choosing easier sections to tackle. Of note is the section west of the Lac Carling resort, which is known throughout the Marathon as the most difficult section.
There are two broad categories of skier: Coureur de Bois (who start out before dawn to ski the entire distance) and Tourer (who start out at 8 a.m. to ski any number of the 10 sections). The Coureur de Bois category, in turn, is broken down into Bronze (ski the whole trail), Silver (ski the whole trail with a pack), and Gold (ski the whole trail with a pack and camp out overnight). Tourers are able to ski as individuals, or as teams. A new feature of the marathon is the "mini-CSM" which allows participants to ski two sections of the trail over the weekend, one per day.
Traditionally, the hardest goal is the Gold Coureur de Bois category. Also, one may register for skiing at the Gold level only after completing the Silver and Bronze levels in previous years. Doing the Gold five times—over any number of years—results in that person earning a permanent bib, meaning that they are given a number that is then retired from the list of bib numbers. As of 2009, 248 Coureur de Bois skiers—primarily men, and a handful of women—have earned permanent bibs.
The marathon has hundreds of volunteers who brave the cold to help skiers the entire weekend at checkpoints, providing safety + sweeps, waxing services, trail work, awards, and administration. These volunteers include members of local service organizations such as Scouting and Guiding, community groups, and cadets. Major logistical support is provided by 33 Signals Regiment
of the Canadian forces, who provide vital safety and water points along the trail, and if needed provide traffic control.
Ottawa River
The Ottawa River is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. For most of its length, it now defines the border between these two provinces.-Geography:...
between the regions of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, capital of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, in February and usually covers a distance of 160 km (99.4 mi). However, it is a ski tour, not a race: participants challenge not each other, but themselves by choosing a level of difficulty and trying to accomplish that goal.
The Marathon, which has been running since Canada's Centennial year of 1967, consists of ten sections of varying lengths and difficulties which can either be skied together over the two days (five stages per day), or individually on subsequent days. Depending on the year, the direction of the race can vary. Typically, in even-numbered years participants ski eastward toward Lachute from the start in Buckingham
Buckingham, Quebec
Buckingham was a city located in the Outaouais region of the province of Quebec. Since January 1, 2002, it has been part of the amalgamated city of Gatineau which merged five former municipalities, including Masson-Angers, Buckingham, Hull, Aylmer and Gatineau, into a single entity...
; odd numbered years see participants travel in the opposite direction. In both cases, the end of the first day of the Marathon has participants ending in (or near as is the case of certain skier classes) the scenic town of Montebello, Quebec
Montebello, Quebec
Montebello is a municipality located in the Papineau Regional County Municipality of Western Quebec . As of the 2001 census, there were 1,039 permanent residents. The village has a total area of , and is located at the eastern edge of Canada's National Capital Region.The village is world famous for...
, where they will resume their proper course the following day.
The two-day event is open to anyone of any age or ability, but the course is extremely challenging in places, which skiers of lesser ability tend to avoid by choosing easier sections to tackle. Of note is the section west of the Lac Carling resort, which is known throughout the Marathon as the most difficult section.
There are two broad categories of skier: Coureur de Bois (who start out before dawn to ski the entire distance) and Tourer (who start out at 8 a.m. to ski any number of the 10 sections). The Coureur de Bois category, in turn, is broken down into Bronze (ski the whole trail), Silver (ski the whole trail with a pack), and Gold (ski the whole trail with a pack and camp out overnight). Tourers are able to ski as individuals, or as teams. A new feature of the marathon is the "mini-CSM" which allows participants to ski two sections of the trail over the weekend, one per day.
Traditionally, the hardest goal is the Gold Coureur de Bois category. Also, one may register for skiing at the Gold level only after completing the Silver and Bronze levels in previous years. Doing the Gold five times—over any number of years—results in that person earning a permanent bib, meaning that they are given a number that is then retired from the list of bib numbers. As of 2009, 248 Coureur de Bois skiers—primarily men, and a handful of women—have earned permanent bibs.
The marathon has hundreds of volunteers who brave the cold to help skiers the entire weekend at checkpoints, providing safety + sweeps, waxing services, trail work, awards, and administration. These volunteers include members of local service organizations such as Scouting and Guiding, community groups, and cadets. Major logistical support is provided by 33 Signals Regiment
33 Signals Regiment
33 Signals Regiment, formerly known as 763 Communication Regiment, is a primary reserve unit of the Communications and Electronics Branch in Ottawa, Ontario..-Location:...
of the Canadian forces, who provide vital safety and water points along the trail, and if needed provide traffic control.