Nearly 500 students from the Red Deer Public Schools District attend the annual ski loppet at the River Bend Golf Course on Tuesday. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

S-NO-W problem!

Red Deer Public Schools students ski a new track at their annual loppet

Feb 7, 2023 | 5:13 PM

The annual ski loppet held by the Red Deer Public Schools District (RDPSD) has a new track this year.

Nearly 500 students from Grade 3-12 hit the cross-country ski trails on Tuesday at the River Bend Golf Course (3800 River Bend Dr) for a 3 km or 5 km track.

Colin Christensen, Coordinator for the loppet and Grade 5 teacher at Don Campbell Elementary School, says due to the lack of snow, the District has had to make adjustments to the course for one of the first times.

While the course normally takes place in the east side of the area, he says the new track crosses River Bend’s golf driving range and biathlon track. So far, Christensen says he likes the track and believes they may keep the change next year.

“I like it; we can see all the racers for a majority of the race. The old track they kind of disappeared down by the river and then they’d pop back up. I think it’s a positive change and something different for everybody to give a try,” he said.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

9h ago

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

Similar to the Dawe Run in September, the ski loppet has brought schools together for the outdoor event for over 30 years. As one of five organizers for the loppet, Christensen says the event has remained consistent over the years, remembering when he participated as a student many moons ago.

READ: Nearly 5,000 students from Grade 4-12 join for Red Deer’s Dawe Run

“We have some grassroots people that continue to teach kids how to cross-country ski. It’s one of those sports that you can do even when you’re old. Giving those kids those skills, and a little competition, is never a bad thing,” he said.

While some students may know how to cross-country ski through the schools’ ski clubs or Physical Education classes, Christensen says most schools have skis on hand for other students not familiar with the sport. Don Campbell, for example, has 90 sets of skis for students and to share amongst the schools, he says.

Apart from enjoying a nice sunny day and gaining the benefit of physical activity, Christensen says he hopes the students learn a valuable lesson from the life-long sport.

“I hope that they learn perseverance because parts of the course are a little bit challenging. So persevere through it and just have fun,” he said.

Christensen also thanked the Red Deer Public Schools Foundation for their financial support in the loppet.