During Yukon winters it’s important to keep yourself motivated to stay active, and to seek ways of making it fun.

While suffering from my own lack of motivation, I searched for something that could rekindle my desire to move again.

I spoke to Mike Gladish, organizer of the upcoming Northwestel Hut to Hut cross country skiing event, to see what he had to say.

He revived my incentive.

The Hut to Hut will be happening on March 1, as the Cross Country Ski Club’s premier event of the season, replacing the Northwestel Loppet, which has taken place for the past 30 years.

“We’re trying to create a social atmosphere for skiers and snowshoers,” Gladish says.

The goal is to eliminate the competitive vibe of the loppet, and present the event as a gathering for skiers and snowshoers of all ages and abilities.

“There are three huts, one on each trail,” Gladish says. “The point is to have people try and get to all three.”

Each hut will be decorated differently, all serving hot cider and baked goods, along with small prizes and coupons to enter in the draw featured at the end.

The huts are hosted by the Whitehorse Cross-Country Ski Club board, the Steele Family, Coast Mountain Sports, and Duncan’s Limited.

In addition, staff will be posted along the marked trails to give out more surprises.

“It’s also a volunteer effort,” Gladish says.

Once completing the journey through the woods to the finish area, there will be a barbecue lunch and soup and bread courtesy of Alpine Bakery.

Various activities will also be held inside the finish area, including a celebrity snowshoe event beginning at 2:30 p.m., where Mayor Dan Curtis will partake in a 200-metre course.

And you can make your way into the curling club lounge for beer and music afterwards.

“We’re expecting between 100 to about 180 people,” Gladish says.

It’s enough to get me off the couch.

The Northwestel Hut to Hut will take place on March 1, starting at 11 a.m. at the Mt. McIntyre ski chalet. The barbecue and soup lunch will be served from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants wishing to enter the draw must be finished between 2 and 3 p.m.

Prizes include an iPad Mini, ski club memberships, and a spring pass.

Registration fees are $10 per person, and there is a fee cap of $25 per family.

For more information, visit the Club’s website at xcskiwhitehorse.ca, or drop into the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club at the Mt. McIntyre chalet.

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