The First Loppet - 1973
For over half a century, as the deep winter snows blanket the boreal landscape surrounding Fort Smith, a unique tradition unfolds. It is the annual Thebacha Loppet, a cross-country ski tour that is not merely a race but a living, moving piece of Canadian history.
Celebrating its 53rd year in 2026, the Loppet stands proudly as one of the oldest classic ski tours in all of Western Canada. Its enduring popularity is rooted in a rich historical foundation, a passionate community, and a spectacular route that truly embodies the spirit of the North.
A Trail Forged by Centuries of Travel
To understand the Thebacha Loppet, you must first understand its path. The route, which runs approximately 27.6 kilometers (or 27.5 km in some historical records) from Fort Fitzgerald, Alberta, to the Fort Smith Nordic Centre in the Northwest Territories, is officially designated as the DesNethé Discovery Trail. Today, it forms a vital section of the Trans Canada Trail (now known as the Great Trail Network).
But its heritage stretches back centuries before Confederation.
The Slave River, one of the great waterways of the North, is a transportation lifeline—except for four sets of powerful, unnavigable rapids near the Alberta-NWT border. For generations, this section required a difficult detour. The Loppet route today precisely follows this traditional First Nations' portage trail, a critical path used to bypass the mighty rapids.
The trail became famous during the fur trade era. Stories tell of strong young men piloting large voyageur canoes all the way from communities like Tulita on the Mackenzie River. Upon reaching Thebacha (the historic name for the area around Fort Smith), they would unload their precious cargo and then endure the punishing hike across the portage to avoid the rapids, ultimately reaching Fort Fitzgerald to trade furs for supplies. Every skier who glides along the modern Loppet course is, in a small way, walking in the footsteps of those early traders and travellers.
From Centennial Clearing to the First Loppet
The idea of transforming this historic path into a dedicated ski route took root in the mid-1960s. The trail was cleared in 1967 as part of Canada's centennial celebrations, marking the start of its life as a recreational trail.
However, the Loppet, which derives its name from the Scandinavian word used to describe Nordic ski races of varying distances, was officially brought to life by local enthusiasts in 1973. One of the founders, Ib Kristensen, recalled the humble beginnings of the Fort Smith Ski Club and the event itself. "In the beginning, few people even had skis in Fort Smith," he reminisced. Yet, driven by the unique opportunity presented by the trail, they persevered.
Over the ensuing years, the Loppet proved to be a catalyst. As Kristensen noted, "As the years went by, lots of people took on skiing as a winter sport, and it flourished, it really did." The event quickly became a cornerstone of the Fort Smith winter calendar, ensuring the sport’s presence in the community grew far beyond its early days.
The Heart of the Modern Challenge
Today, the Thebacha Loppet is firmly established on the first Saturday of March and remains a true destination event for skiing enthusiasts.
The full course measures approximately 27.6 kilometres. The Loppet is famously a point-to-point race, always commencing near Fort Fitzgerald, Alberta, and concluding with a celebratory finish at the Fort Smith Nordic Centre. Along the way, skiers are treated to breathtaking scenery as the trail hugs the shores of the majestic Slave River, often running parallel to the spectacular rapids it once bypassed.
For safety and accessibility, the course is divided into four scenic segments, each marked by a checkpoint that provides rest, refreshments, and a crucial option for participants to choose their distance:
Fort Fitz to Goose Island (9.6 km)
Goose Island to Pelican Halfway (8.0 km)
Pelican Halfway Checkpoint to Mountain (5.1 km)
Mountain Checkpoint to Nordic Centre (5.2 km)
This structure allows the Loppet to remain accessible to skiers of all ages and skill levels. Beginners and families can elect to start at a shorter checkpoint, while experienced competitors take on the full challenge.
The Volunteer Spirit and Enduring Legacy
The sheer longevity of the Loppet—celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2015 and its 52nd in 2025—is a testament to the dedication of the Fort Smith community. Like many great northern events, the Thebacha Loppet is powered entirely by volunteers.
As one organizer noted, the turnout can vary wildly depending on the weather, ranging from as few as thirty participants to over one hundred. Yet, the work required to clear, groom, and maintain the complex route remains the same every single year. The constant dedication of the volunteers ensures that "we do it no matter what!" Even in years when extreme cold mandates shortening the distance for safety, the Loppet carries on.
This commitment extends beyond the trails. The event is celebrated with an annual Loppet Evening, where participants gather to socialize, share stories from the trail, and win prizes—a community gathering that binds the tradition together.
The Thebacha Loppet is more than just a ski race. It is a profound annual exercise in honouring history, showcasing the beauty of the Northwest Territories winter, and proving the powerful resilience of a northern community dedicated to the simple joy of sport. Every ski stroke on the DesNethé Trail is a reminder that some traditions, once started, are simply too special to ever fade away.
We look forward to celebrating this enduring legacy with you on the next course!
