Skiers in the mass started faced snowy condition and a temperature of -9 C. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

winter sport

Snowy conditions no issue for Don Allen Saskaloppet

Mar 8, 2026 | 5:40 PM

Despite snowy conditions, the 42nd annual Don Allen Saskaloppet brought in skiers from across Saskatchewan and other provinces.  

That’s according to Saskaloppet Chairperson Kevin Jackson, who explained 255 people started the event with 224 finishing. Aside from Saskatchewan, skiers came from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Yukon Territory. 

“I think it affected their minds more than it did their bodies,” Jackson said of the snow.  

“I think a lot of people went into it discouraged. All of the amazing grooming work that had been done by parks just hours before sort of all disappeared in front of them, but by the end of the day, there was a lot of people talking about how fun it was, how the weather was beautiful.” 

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While Saskatoon’s Chris Wall (seven hours, six minutes) and Heidi Wall (seven hours, 30 minutes) were the winners in the 75-kilometer, overnight event, skiers from La Ronge dominated in most categories with races starting at two-km and moving upwards.   

In the 18 to 49 age 55-km event, Ragnar Robinson and Rochelle Yelland both took first. Robinson finished in three hours, 53 minutes, and Yelland finished in four hours, 23 minutes. All results can be found online here.  

“La Ronge was very well represented in all ages of categories,” Jackson said.  

“We had two young skiers, I believe nine and seven, who push themselves up into much higher categories. We had a nine-year-old ski the 20-km and complete it this year, so that’s awesome.” 

Jackson would like to see the Saskaloppet grow in 2027. He added the race attracts people back to La Ronge every year and sort of acts as a reunion for former residents.  

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com