February 16, 2023 - (Gatineau, Que.) For its 45th edition, the Gatineau Loppet, Canada’s largest cross-country ski gathering, is offering three days of friendly and competitive races on the sumptuous trails of Gatineau Park, Quebec. From February 17 to 19, 2023, cross-country ski enthusiasts from around the world will meet on the trails and in the après-ski to share their passion and take on one or more challenges suiting their level.

Registration will be possible on site at the CÉGEP de l’Outaouais on Friday, February 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19 from 7:00 a.m. More information on our website here.

“We are extremely proud to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Gatineau Loppet with thousands of Canadian and international skiers. The team, supported in its efforts by nearly 300 volunteers, has worked hard to prepare the courses and offer a warm and festive welcome to the cross-country skiing enthusiasts who will join us. Once again this year, everything has been put in place so that everyone can find a race that suits them and push their limits in the heart of the magnificent trails of Gatineau Park. It’s a rendez-vous from February 17 to 19 – on your skis, get set, go!”- Philippe Lebel, president of the Gatineau Loppet.

The best places to see the starts and finishes
The starts of the 50 km (Classical and Free) will be at P17 in the Municipality of La Pêche. All other starts will be behind the Relais plein-air du parc de la Gatineau. All finishes, including the 50 km, will be behind the Relais plein air du parc de la Gatineau.

A program sur-mesure for you
In addition to the traditional 5, 10, 15, 27 and 50 km courses in free or classical technique, and the 2 km Mini Sport Échange Outaouais for the little ones, the Gatineau Loppet will offer:

● SALOMON Relay Races | February 17, 2023, 6 p.m.
A festive evening where skiers will compete on a special 400m track alongside Alex Harvey, Graeme Killick and Alexis Turgeon! On site, our partner the Chelsea Pub will propose mini-raclettes and other specialties, while the Distillerie du Square will serve a hot tea made with Gin du Jardin. The whole event will be accompanied by DJ music to mix sports and party.
• Alex Harvey is a three-time Olympian and three-time world champion.
• Graeme Killick, a Canadian cross-country skier from Fort McMurray, Alberta,
competed in the 2014 Sochi and 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games.
• Alexis Turgeon, originally from Gatineau, has raced at the national and international level as a member of the Canadian National Cross Country Ski Team.

● The Discovery Waves, presented by Fromagerie Bergeron
An opportunity to live a racing experience without a competitive spirit with non-timed races, available for the 5 km, 10 km, 15 km and 27 km.

● The Ultra Challenge, presented by Euro-sports
New for this 45th edition, the Ultra Challenge will reward the first three male and female skiers who finish the 50K Free and the 50K Classic of the 2023 Gatineau Loppet! 3,000 in prize money will be shared between the top 3 combined times in the Men’s and Women’s categories.

● “Junior & M/U 23 Challenge
As part of the 27 KM Technique Classic, presented by CRAFT, our partner will offer a gift certificate worth $200 to each winner – in addition to the Ski de fond Québec prize money that will be awarded to the top 5 in the Junior & M/U23 categories. This race promises an exceptional competition by putting the sport’s next generation on the podium!

● The Cross-Country Ski Show
A unique opportunity to discover the new products and technical innovations of the major brands, to try out equipment in demonstration, but also find good deals! Free and open to all, at the CÉGEP de l’Outaouais, on Friday, February 17, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
● Ski alongside renowned skiers
Will be present on site, along with other renowned skiers. and on the start lines of the Gatineau Loppet:
○ Gérard Agnellet won the 2022 Birkie (United States) and is running it again this year. A specialist in long distance races, he has also just won the foulée blanche in France, and shares his passion with his professional activity of… Cheesemaker in the Savoyard family farm that makes Reblochon!
• Émilie Bulle, first in the Dolomintenkauf (Austrian Worldloppet race) 3 weeks ago and second in the Transjurassienne last Sunday.

Gatineau Loppet Legends Trail Inductions
On the occasion of this 45th edition, the Board of Directors, and all the members of the 2023 Gatineau Loppet organizing team, are very pleased to pay tribute to individuals and organizations that have contributed to the development or influence of the Gatineau Loppet and cross-country skiing.
Lise Meloche and Dave McMahon, a well-known cross-country skiing couple and athletes in the region, as well as our Pillar Partners, the National Capital Commission (NCC) and Gatineau Park, will be inducted into the Trail of Legends, the Gatineau Loppet Hall of Fame, on Saturday during the Worldloppet cocktail reception (media invitation attached).

During this ceremony, the following will also be inducted into the Veterans’ Club (participation in 35 Gatineau Loppet middle or long distance events): Alain d’Entremont, Greg Dale Irwin, Paul Wright, Pierre Huppé, Robert Palliser and Yves Deguire.

Families and friends will be able to follow their favorite participants live

Viewing your results or those of your loved ones has never been easier. On a cell phone, tablet or desktop computer, you are always connected with the Sportstats application! To download the mobile application: IOS | Android.
The app offers you :
● Tracker: allows you to find a participant by name or bib.
● Map: any participant added to the Tracker can be followed in real time.
● Leaders: see the leader in each event and category.

A new unique portal for your sporting exploits
The Worldloppet circuit gathers the 20 most popular cross-country ski races in the world, including the Gatineau Loppet. For those who participate in several ski races throughout the winter, the MyLoppet portal allows you to keep track of all your achievements! Worldloppet has created this new free login system to manage all your ski races, results, Worldloppet passports and Worldloppet Master titles.

With the creation of a MyLoppet account, athletes have access to their digital Worldloppet passport. After the event, however, it will still be possible (and recommended) to have their physical passport stamped by a Gatineau Loppet official. Once 10 races are completed – in 10 countries and at least two continents – they are recognized as a Worldloppet Master.

People who do not have a Worldloppet passport are also welcome to visit MyLoppet and view their race history.