Picture 52.5 kilometers spread across a weekend, or 2.18 kilometers every hour for 48 hours.
No matter how you ski it, Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre and Silver Star Mountain Resort’s shared 105-km cross country ski trail network is a big one.
The largest in fact. The two ski areas share the largest daily groomed trail network in the country, a big accomplishment in the cross country ski world. Even in the U.S. only a few ski areas have more than 105km.
To celebrate, the two ski areas are giving out free dual area pass upgrades this weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
“Whether you are a passholder at Sovereign Lake or Silver Star, or purchasing a day pass at either location, you will be automatically upgraded to a dual areas pass,” said Sovereign Lake spokesperson Dudley Coulter.
“The dual area pass grants you access to the entire 105-km trail system.”
Over the past five years, Sovereign Lake and Silver Star have cross-promoted the cross country ski network on Silver Star Mountain as a whole.
“While each organization provides unique terrain and ambiance individually, working together to cross promote the largest daily groomed network of trails in the country increases our opportunity to showcase this outstanding cross country ski experience,” said Sovereign Lake general manager Troy Hudson.
“The XC105 is the culmination of these efforts to bring pass holders and visitors to the entire mountain to ski our world-renowned system of trails.”
For those looking to challenge themselves on the 105-km trail system this weekend, Sovereign Lake has also started a Strava Contest, which encourages skiers to post times, routes and distances to the Strava App online for everyone to see.
“Prizes will be given to those who ski the most kilometers,” said Hudson.
“The XC105 trail system is truly world class,” said avid skier and Silver Star nordic manager Shane Landreville. “Intersecting in five locations with incredible view points and six warming cabins, the trails can be enjoyed by all ability levels.”
World class indeed. The two ski areas have hosted World Cups, multiple Canada Cups, and have been the high altitude training grounds of choice by various national ski teams, including the months leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.