Like all Inuvik groups, the ski club has seen fluctuations in interest over the past few years, with last year being particularly down as most of the core group moved on.

But the club is looking brighter now with the enthusiastic pair of Patrick Gall and Holly Jones leading it in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Top of the World Loppet next spring.

SA国际影视传媒淲ith the up and down and ebb and flow of the quantity of the people who are here and skiing, (the loppet) is kind of constantly reinventing itself,SA国际影视传媒� said Gall, now president of the Inuvik Ski Club, talking about last yearSA国际影视传媒檚 loppet, which saw 10 people come out.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is the 50th, but it certainly feels like it will be the first of its kind, because change is happening so rapidly.SA国际影视传媒�

The club is making a big marketing push to make the event, scheduled for April 8 and 9 something special.

SA国际影视传媒淭he goal of this year is to have the loppet go well,SA国际影视传媒� said Gall. SA国际影视传媒淎ll the build-up will be in support of that, making it as fun as possible and trying to make it economically important as well. If we can get a lot of people in from out of town, that means a lot (to) tourism and the economic development inside the town as well.SA国际影视传媒�

The loppet isnSA国际影视传媒檛 necessarily just racing, but more of a cross-country skiing event. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 designed for all skill levels to enjoy the sport together.

SA国际影视传媒淚f you want to go fast, you can go fast; if you want to go slow, you can go slow as well,SA国际影视传媒� said Gall. SA国际影视传媒淎s long as youSA国际影视传媒檙e having fun, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 the key point.SA国际影视传媒�

The ski club is hoping to hook up with the communities to bring as many people in for the event as possible.

SA国际影视传媒淚t would be amazing if there were kids from all the schools in the Beaufort Delta here skiing with their gym classes and their gym teachers,SA国际影视传媒� said Gall. SA国际影视传媒淚t would be great to have people from southern cities in Canada who maybe donSA国际影视传媒檛 know much about the North to come see it and have something in common with the people here.SA国际影视传媒�

In terms of numbers, heSA国际影视传媒檚 hoping for 100 skiers for the event.

Jones, vice-president of the club, hopes more adults come out this year and get trained to teach youth.

SA国际影视传媒淲e had two girls last year who were 12, and I was really keen to get them moving a little bit faster and working on their technique, but when theySA国际影视传媒檙e in a group with kids who are seven and eight, the needs are totally different,SA国际影视传媒� said Jones, who comes from a competitive racing and coaching background.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檇 like to cater to each level of youth sport development. Hopefully we can get enough people out and break up into different groups so kids can get more individual attention and have fun on their skis as well.SA国际影视传媒�

A number of events are already up on the clubSA国际影视传媒檚 schedule, but theySA国际影视传媒檙e dependent on interest. November includes a candlelight ski under the full moon.

SA国际影视传媒淎s much as ISA国际影视传媒檇 like to go out and ski by myself with tiki torches, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot more fun with other people,SA国际影视传媒� said Jones.

The skiing season is just beginning with the first dumps of snow in Inuvik. Members of the club get free use of equipment for club events, such as the candlelight ski, while non-members can rent equipment at their leisure.