Calgary Amateur Radio Association (CARA) members were at the 2024 Kananaskis Ski Marathon at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. This annual event is hosted by the Foothills Nordic Ski Club of Calgary.

https://foothillsnordic.ca/cookie-race/

L-R: Peter LaGrandeur VA6RPL Elk Pass station, Ken Read VE6CBZ CARA President and event net controller, Peter Dean VE6DWN w/ chief of race office, Dana Harding VA6DJH event radio controller, Gary Spicer VE6GDS (red toque), Brett Auger VE6WNF w/ chief of controllers, Brent Armstrong VE6XWO repeater technician. Missing: Randy Shaw VE6XLR.

Peter VA6RPL's ride up to Elk Pass on Saturday, Feb 24, where he was the radio communications guy for the 2024 Kananaskis Ski Marathon “The Great Cookie Race”. Very capably chauffeured by Jennifer of the Foothills Nordic Ski Club, Calgary.

The annual Kananaskis Ski Marathon aka “Great Cookie Race”, at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. VA6RPL's official role is to provide two way radio communication at the Elk Pass feeding station for the skiers.  Logged 380 skiers through this checkpoint this year. Due to sparse snow conditions this season, the lower part of the Kananaskis Lakes ski area was untrackable. As a result, the long distance skiers did the loop twice. And the 17 km race and tour groups were shifted up to Elk Pass. Weather was warm and occasionally sunny. This ski event has been organized by the Foothills Nordic Ski Club of Calgary starting in 1978.

The Kananaskis Ski Marathon, a.k.a. the Cookie Race, is the Foothills Nordic Ski Club’s flagship event. It is the second oldest Nordic event (after the Lake Louise Loppet) and the second largest loppet (after the Canadian Birkebeiner) in Alberta.

The race has grown to 500 participants annually (the maximum number of racers allowed by Alberta Parks). Over the years, a 24km event, a 15km event, and Jackrabbits (youth) races of 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 km have been added. Over 120 volunteers are required to host the Cookie Race.