The Fort Smith Ski Club has scheduled the 2026 Thebacha Loppet for Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. The long-running cross‑country ski event — first held in 1973 — will mark its 53rd edition and remains a major winter tradition for the South Slave region.
Participants will follow the DesNethé Discovery Trail, a historic portage route that bypasses the four sets of unnavigable rapids on the Slave River. The event offers multiple distances, from the Full Loppet of approximately 27.5–30 kilometres to shorter 5‑kilometre loops for families and beginners.
CBC North has reported that the Thebacha Loppet is the oldest loppet of its kind in Western Canada and celebrates the historic travel routes used in the region. The Town of Fort Smith typically sees increased visitors for the loppet weekend, and the event is traditionally one of the community’s largest outdoor winter gatherings.
Registration is being handled through the Zone4 registration platform. Local organizers are also recruiting volunteers to help manage trail safety and provide snacks and hot drinks at checkpoints along the route.
