Hundreds of the world’s best snowmobile racing teams will be competing in the season opener of the Canadian Snowcross Championships This year’s action-packed opener will be hosted by Calabogie Peaks Resort.
The Peaks mountain team has fired up the snow guns, covering slopes and the base of the mountain in loads of snow for the track.
The races will feature over 300 entries from across Canada and the U.S. The challenging course will feature a 60-foot wide, quarter-mile uphill vertical starting line, huge jumps; downhill drop-offs, and twists and turns. The half-mile race course will be built on the mountain directly in front of the resort so spectators can view all the action from the licensed patio or track side. Spectators are invited to come watch some of the best racing in the Ottawa region.
With snow machines jumping at heights of 100 feet at times, it’s certainly something to see, says Peaks owner Paul Murphy.
“This is a first for our community and a first for Calabogie Peaks,” Murphy told members of the Calabogie and Area Business Association Monday, Nov. 29.
“We don’t know what to expect in terms of crowds,” said Murphy, who noted the event is one of just 10 held in the province.
Similar races in the Barrie area can attract up to 10,000 people and while he doesn’t expect that many this time around, he’s hoping the numbers might reach 3,000.
For many of the racers, this will be their first time in Calabogie, said Murphy. The spin off is evident already, with a number of area rooms booked for the weekend.
Competing in this year’s events will be renowned Canadian national champions Lee Bulter and Iain Hayden.
Teams from Polaris and Rockstar Energy Drink will also be in the lineup. Spectators will have opportunity to meet the racers each day for autographs and may also win door prizes.
This weekend’s races will feature over 40 classes of competition including amateur and vintage racing classes. There are also classes for first time racers, and classes for junior riders and kids – some as young as four years of age. There will be something to suit every spectator’s interests.
Gates will be open to spectators from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Mountain Cat Cafeteria, Black Donald’s Pub, and Canthooks Restaurant will be open daily. A special buffet dinner is available on Friday and Saturday evenings in the ski lodge for $25 per person.
Youth and adult day passes are $15 for Saturday and $20 for Sunday. Weekend Passes are $30. Seniors (65+) and kids (4-12 years) daily rate is $10.
For more information, visit www.calabogie.com.
