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The Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM) is North America’s longest and oldest Nordic ski tour.  By tradition (since 1967), it takes place during the second weekend in February on a unique ski trail that is only groomed once per year on privately owned land in the picturesque Western Laurentian Mountains between Lachute and Gatineau, Québec. There is an overnight stop in Montebello, the home of the famous Fairmont Le Château Montebello, the largest log château in the world.

 

The CSM is a two-day 160 kilometre event that is divided into 5 sections each day with an average of 16 kms per section. There are feed stations, first aid and toilets available at the end of each section as well as shuttle buses that run between accommodation and checkpoints throughout each day. Each year, the CSM alternates its direction from east to west, and then west to east.

 

Unlike most ski loppets, there are no winners or losers at the Canadian Ski Marathon. Each participant can select his/her own level of challenge and ski the distance desired without having to complete the entire event. One can ski as little as 12 km to the maximum of 160 km throughout the weekend.

 

Performance Category:
The Coureur des Bois (and Junior Coureur des Bois, who must be accompanied by an adult CDB) is the category for participants wishing to ski the entire 160 kms over the two days.  Within this category there are three subcategories: bronze, silver and gold. They are progressive in the sense that one must ski the bronze before the silver and then the silver before the gold. The Gold Coureur des Bois is the ultimate performance challenge as it means skiing the full distance with a backpack weighing not less than 5 kilograms, containing all the necessities for an overnight camping adventure, including food, sleeping bag, clothing etc. near the midway point in Montebello, Québec. The only amenities provided at the campsite are water, toilets, two bales of hay and wood for an outdoor fire. The Silver CDB must ski the full distance with a backpack of not less than 5 kg. of weight, but does not have to sleep outside. The Bronze CDB is not required to carry a backpack.

 

The Half Marathon is a one day 80 km event for those who want to get a sense of what it takes to ski 80 kilometers in one day. Although the price is the same as a Tourer, there is a special award for those who complete between 3 and 5 sections of the one day event. Junior Half Marathon participants must be accompanied by a Half Marathon or CDB participant as the start is at 6:00 am.

 

Although the CSM is not a race, skiers must complete the first four sections before 3:15 pm each day to be permitted to ski the final section of that day. Failure to make the cutoff disqualifies the skier from earning his/her Half Marathon or CDB designation.

 

Individual and Team Touring Category:
The majority of the participants of the CSM register in this category because there is no requirement to complete all 10 sections of the event. Most skiers set a goal to ski a certain number of sections each day and then attempt to attain their goal accordingly. Individual and team award recognition is given to skiers who complete a minimum number of sections throughout the weekend.  Skiers may choose which sections they wish to ski, but cannot start before 8:00 am each morning.

 

Family and Child Participation: 
The Canadian Ski Marathon has three categories available for children and families. The Junior Tourer Category is subdivided into three categories for children between the ages of 13-16, 9-12 and under 8 years of age (Mighty Mite) who must be accompanied by an adult. There are awards for each of these categories based on the number of sections skied.  Family Fun Day is a one day event that is very affordable for families where kids can ski 3 km along the Château Montebello trail, followed by a lunch at the hotel and a swim at the pool. This is really a CSM “sampler” for young children and their parents. The Family Fun Day always occurs on Saturday of the CSM weekend. The Mini-CSM is a category where families can ski only one (usually the last) section each day of the Saturday or Sunday.  This category is particularly attractive to local residents who want to experience the wilderness aspect of the Canadian Ski Marathon.