LARCH HILLS NORDICS

43rd Annual Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet

January 23, 2027

Registration Online Only
8:00AM Bib Pickup
10:00 AM Start Times Begin

The Larch Hills Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet is considered one of the premier loppets in Western Canada. Part of the Pacific Northwest Loppet Series, this 32 km competitive CLASSIC Loppet (no skate skiing!) takes skiers on a challenging single loop of beautifully track-set trails, including sections at higher elevations.

The RKS Loppet has something for skiers of all ages and abilities. Skiers looking for a shorter challenge can choose the 10 km or 17 km courses, while skiers aged 17 and under ski selected portions of the competitive course. Youngest skiers, ages 2–7, have their own 1 km and 2 km courses and a separate finish line, making the Loppet a fun and welcoming event for all ages and skiing abilities.

SANCTIONED BY NORDIQ CANADA and CROSS COUNTRY BC

This event is in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

CLASSIC Skiing Only. No Skate Skiing.

Registration and Race Info

RACE EVENTS: Saturday, January 23, 2027 10:00 AM, Loppet – Classic Technique

RACE LOCATION: Larch Hills Ski Area – Salmon Arm, BC

HOST CLUB: Larch Hills Nordic Society

SANCTIONED BY: NORDIQ CANADA; CROSS COUNTRY BC

RULES: NORDIQ CANADA RULES AND REGULATIONS

EVENT NOTICE

REGISTRATION

December 1, 2026 – January 20, 2027

Online Registration Only – opening December 1, 2026. Participation waiver is part of the Zone 4 registration.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 11:59PM PCT, Wednesday, January 20, 2027
Regular Registration Fees: December 1, 2026 – January 13, 2027 11:59 pm PCT
Late Registration Fees: January 14, 2027 – January 20, 2027 11:59 pm PCT
No Registration After: January 20, 2027 11:59 pm PCT
Category Changes NOT ACCEPTED AFTER January 22, 2027, 10:00 AM PCT

REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 1

ENTRY FEES

Race entry fee includes aprés ski lunch at the hill. Participants who choose to attend the Aprés Ski Social at SASCU Recreation Centre will receive one complimentary wine ticket or non-alcoholic beverage at the venue.

RACE FEES	Dec. 1/26 – Jan. 13/27	Jan. 14-20/27
7 & under	$15	$20
U18 Competitive	$20	$25
18 + Competitive	$50	$75
Recreation	$50	$75

Cancellation/Refund Policy

All registration fees submitted to the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet are non-refundable. If conditions force the organizers to cancel the Loppet, we reserve the right to cover our costs incurred. Cancellations by participants for medical or personal reasons will be reviewed on an individual basis.

RACE CATEGORIES

Race Events (for Male & Female; age at December 31, 2026).

Minimum age of 2 years old. (Age as of Dec. 31/26)
Participants can choose to race UP in the next category.

CATEGORY	YOB	START TIME
1 KM “slight hills” (2 to 7)	2019 – 2024	10:20 AM
2 KM “some bigger hills” (2 to 7)	2019 – 2024	10:20 AM
5 KM (9 & under)	2017 – 2021	10:15 AM
5 KM (10 – 11)	2014 – 2015	10:15 AM
10 KM (13 or younger)	2013 – 2021	10:15 AM
10 KM (80 or older)	1926 – 1946	10:15 AM
10 KM Recreational	ALL	10:15 AM
17 KM (17 & under)	2009 – 2021	10:45 AM
17 KM (70 – 79)	1947 – 1956	10:45 AM
17 KM (80 or older)	1926 – 1946	10:45 AM
17 KM Recreational	ALL	10:45 AM
32 KM (29 & younger)	1997 or Later	10:00 AM
32 KM (30 – 39)	1987 – 1996	10:00 AM
32 KM (40 – 49)	1977 – 1986	10:00 AM
32 KM (50 – 59)	1967 – 1976	10:00 AM
32 KM (60 – 69)	1957 – 1966	10:00 AM
32 KM (70 – 79)	1947 – 1956	10:00 AM
32 KM Recreational	ALL	10:00 AM

Para Categories

Please contact the Race Secretary for the Para Category you would like to enter.

LICENSES

The RKS Loppet is a Tier 3 Event. A race license is required of all participants in a Tier 3 event, regardless of whether they hold a Nordiq Canada Race License, Development License, or Associate Race License. The license fee ($3.00) will be automatically added to all race registrations on Zone 4 and the revenues sent directly to Nordiq Canada.

BIB PICK-UP

Bib pick-up will be at the Larch Hills Chalet on race day from 8:00 am-9:30 am. There will be no bib pick-up the night before.

COLD WEATHER POLICY

Following Nordiq Canada’s “Cold Weather Precautions” (rule 388):
• The Jury will consider temperature, duration of exposure and clothing/protection against cold weather.
• If the temperature is forecast to be between -15 °C and -25 °C, recommendations regarding cold weather will be made available to the competitors.
• If the temperature on course is -25 °C or below, the race will be delayed or cancelled.
• With any difficult weather conditions (e.g., strong wind, heavy snow, icy track), the Jury may postpone, shorten, change route or cancel the competition.

Technical Info & Course Descriptions

General Race Information

SEEDING/START LINEUP: All categories self-seeding.

BIB PICKUP: Race bibs and timing chips available at Larch Hills 8:00 am – 10:00 a.m.

FACILITIES: Day lodge with washrooms plus outdoor porta-potties.

FOOD & DRINKS: Hot lunch served at the finish line.

AID STATIONS: Every 10 km or less.

WARM UP/WAX TESTING: The courses will be open until 9:50 AM (10 minutes prior to race start time. Wax testing and warm-up will be available on course until the course is closed. Off course wax testing and warm-up area are limited during the event.

WAXING: Space for team tents along the North side of the parking lot in front of the Chalet, or along the East side of the chalet as far as the accessible washroom. Teams must supply their own wax tents. Power outlets are available.

Following Nordiq Canada’s “Fluorinated ski wax prohibition” (rule 222.8), the use of fluorinated wax or tuning products containing fluorine is prohibited. The following are NOT Permitted:
• Fluorinated grip wax (of any type)
• Fluorinated glide wax (of any type)

TIME LIMITS: Cut-off times at these locations:
• 11:30 AM – Larch Hills Road at Baby Moonwalk, 32 km course (at 8 km) – Skiers are directed down Baby Moonwalk and may ski the remainder of the course.
• 1:15 PM – Stadium, 32 km course (at 25 km) – Skiers are directed to the Finish.

TRAIL CONDITIONS: Posted on the information board in the stadium day of race.

Start / Finish

The start/finish stadium is located just beyond our chalet. All of our loppet routes head up Metford Road from the start line. All of the loppet routes return to the stadium area via Larch Hills Rd.

When you’ve crossed the finish line, return your lycra bib and receive your meal ticket to enjoy the hot lunch on the hill.

1 km Route

DOWNLOAD MAP

START TIME: 10:20AM

Young skiers are welcome to have a personal ski companion accompany them on the course. From the start line head up Metford Rd, turn left on Chalet Loop merging onto the bottom of Roller Coaster heading down to a left onto Woodlot Ramble returning to Stadium Kids’ Finish Line. Continue through and away from the finish line to avoid congesting the area.

You will receive your lunch ticket when you return your bib to the bib collectors.

This race option is recommended for new skiers and young children. The route has moderate hills and replaces the former U5 race category. Children ages 5-7 are encouraged to register for the 2 km race option; however, less confident skiers are welcome to register for the 1 km route option instead.

2 km Route

DOWNLOAD MAP

START TIME: 10:20AM

Young skiers are welcome to have a personal ski companion accompany them on the course. From the Main Start line head up Metford Rd, turnaround at Pika entrance, then right up and around Omega, right on Chalet Loop, merge left on the bottom of Roller Coaster, right up Marathon Loop, left onto Woodlot Ramble returning to Stadium Kids’ Finish Line. Continue through and away from the finish line to avoid congesting the area.

You will receive your lunch ticket when you return your bib to the bib collectors.

This race option is recommended for children who have successfully completed Bunnies or Jackrabbits Level 1 and are comfortable performing herringbone (or duck walk) up steeper hills as well as snowplowing down hills. The route has more advanced hills than the 1 km race option and replaces the former U8 race category.

5 km Route

DOWNLOAD MAP

START TIME: 10:15 AM

11 years or younger.

Young skiers are welcome to have a personal ski companion accompany them on the course.

From the start line head up Metford Rd, across Bilbo’s Bog and turn LEFT onto Ermine Frolic. Stay on Ermine Frolic all the way down to Larch Hills Rd. and follow it to a LEFT turn down the Dark Trail which take you to the finish line.

10 km Route

DOWNLOAD MAP

Start: 10:15 AM

13 or younger
80 or older
Recreational – Draw Prizes Only

Straight up METFORD ROAD
Right onto BILBO’S BOG
Left around ERMINE FROLIC LOOP
Left on REINO’S RUN following COTTONWOOD CUTOFF
(AID STATION at South Hub, 6 km)
Straight on LARCH HILLS ROAD and PLANTATION PLACE
Sharp Right back onto LARCH HILLS ROAD (heading south)
Wiggle through South Hub and then Right onto GULLAN’S GULLY
Left down ARWEN’S DREAM
Left on ERMINE FROLIC and Straight onto LARCH HILLS ROAD
Left on DARK TRAIL to the FINISH

17 km Route

DOWNLOAD MAP

10:00AM Start for all categories

17 or younger
70 – 79
80 or older
Recreational – Draw Prizes Only

Straight up METFORD ROAD
Right onto BILBO’S BOG
Left around ERMINE FROLIC LOOP
Left on REINO’S RUN following COTTONWOOD CUTOFF
(AID STATION at South Hub, 6 km)
Straight on LARCH HILLS ROAD and PLANTATION PLACE
Continue on LARCH HILLS ROAD and then Right at BABY MOONWALK
Left at WILLOW SWITCH and Right onto EAST DALES
Straight onto LARCH HILLS ROAD
(Aid Station at South Hub, 12 km)
Left onto FRODO’S BOG and then Right onto STIG’S LOOP
Right onto LARCH HILLS ROAD and Left on GULLAN’S GULLY
Left down ARWEN’S DREAM
Left on ERMINE FROLIC and Straight onto LARCH HILLS ROAD
Left on DARK TRAIL to the FINISH

32 km Route

DOWNLOAD MAP

Start: 10:00 AM

32 KM 29 or younger
32 KM 30 – 39
32 KM 40 – 49
32 KM 50 – 59
32 KM 60 – 69
32 KM 70 or older
32 KM Recreational

Route Description

Straight up METFORD ROAD
Right onto BILBO’S BOG
Left around ERMINE FROLIC LOOP
Left on REINO’S RUN following COTTONWOOD CUTOFF
(Aid Station at South Hub, 6 km)
Straight on LARCH HILLS ROAD and PLANTATION PLACE
Continue on LARCH HILLS ROAD to CEC’s Cabin
Left on ALDER LANE and Right on SKY TRAIL
Right onto LARCH HILLS ROAD
(AID STATION at Cec’s Cabin, 12 km)
Left on LARCH LAKE LOOP and then Left onto the WHOOPEEs
Left at PANORAMA and Left onto BABY MOONWALK
Left at WILLOW SWITCH and then Right onto EAST DALES
Straight onto LARCH HILLS ROAD
(AID STATION at South Hub, 20 km)
Left onto FRODO’S BOG and then Right onto STIG’S LOOP
Right onto LARCH HILLS ROAD and Left on GULLAN’S GULLY
Left down ARWEN’S DREAM and Left on ERMINE FROLIC
Straight onto LARCH HILLS ROAD, staying Right
(AID STATION at Stadium, 25 km)
Straight up METFORD ROAD
Stay Left at BILBO’S BOG Straight onto SENTINEL
Stay Right at SENTINEL CUTOFF
Left onto WOODLOT RAMBLE
Through the Stadium to the FINISH

Post Race Activities

We take care of our participants and volunteers!

The Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet includes the BEST aprés ski lunch including our famous Rotary Beef on a Bun (BBQ’d for 5 hours with grilled onions, mayo and horseradish); Sharon’s homemade veggie soup (with some zip), warm drinks, cookies, and oranges.

AWARDS ON THE HILL

Top 3 skiers in each age class except “Prize Draw” categories
Trophies to overall winners

DRAW PRIZES

List posted at the Larch Hills Stadium results board. Prizes will be numbered and assigned to the name drawn. Prizes can be picked up in the Larch Hills Chalet (Upstairs). Prizes not collected will be donated to other Larch Hills ski events.

Aprés Ski Social

Race entry fee includes aprés ski lunch at the hill. Participants who choose to attend the Aprés Ski Social will receive one complimentary wine ticket at the venue.

A cash bar will be available – serving local wine, beer, cider and non-alcoholic beverages; pizza by the slice for dinner. People of all ages welcome; casual dress; relaxed vibe! The Aprés Ski Celebration will feature the always, much ancticipated and loved 2027 Loppet Video.