The Coast Outdoors P’ayakentsut, or “Payak” for short, is truly an event for all ages and all levels of cross country skiers. Traversing Olympic legacy trails as well as old growth forests, the loppet offers participants a chance to train, to meet new friends, to enjoy the rugged wild beauty of the Callaghan Valley, and to enjoy a what is truly a sport for life – cross country skiing. It’s a toss up whether skiers will lose their breath on the climb up out of the Olympic stadium, or from gasping at the breathtaking views of Black Tusk and the Brandywine mountain range.
In addition to the loppets for youth and adults, the shorter Payak mini allows kids to participate in a shorter event suited to their abilities.
The Coast Outdoors Payak is proud to be a qualifier for the prestigious American Birkebeiner, or “Birkie” race in Wisconsin.
“P’ayakentsut” comes from the Squamish Nation … A place to train oneself physically.
Squamish warriors came to this remote place year round to train. They would go into seclusion to fast and perform rigorous endurance exercises in the mountains, forests, rivers and lakes. They also conducted cold water bathing here – striving for harmony and discipline. Their culture is manifested through our strong physical and spiritual relationship with nature.
The Organizing Committee acknowledges that the land on which the Payak takes place is the traditional unceded territories of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations.
Vision
Within the next decade, the Coast Outdoors Payak will become one of the major cross country loppet events in Canada, attracting participants of all ages from across North America and Europe.
Mission
Efficiently organize a high quality mass participation event that utilizes the Olympic legacy facility and highlights the natural beauty of the Callaghan Valley.
Organizing Committee
Coast Outdoors Payak is organized by Callaghan Valley Cross Country with the active support of members of the following cross country ski clubs:
- Nordic Racers – Vancouver nordicracers.ca
- Hollyburn Cross Country Ski Club hollyburnxc.ca
- Whistler Nordic Ski Club whistlernordics.com
- Spud Valley Nordic Club spudvalleynordics.com
- Sea to Sky Nordics seatoskynordics.ca
Contact
For information about the Coast Outdoors Payak, email info@payak.ca.
Host Organization
Callaghan Valley Cross Country
P.O. Box 591
Whistler, BC
V0N 1B0
