HANCOCK – The Hancock Trails Club has announced the 18th annual Barneløpet ski event, which is scheduled for Sunday, February 9, 2025. Children and families are invited to attend, John Diebel, trail club board member, said in a release.

Barneløpet, Norwegian for “kids’ race, is a noncompetitive event, open to skiers from 3 to 17 years of age.

“Recent snowfall should support outstanding trail conditions barring any major thaws over the next two weeks,” Diebel said.

The 6 km event for older skiers will again include the scenic Swedetown Gorge loop. Parents are encouraged to ski with their younger children. Routes of 1 km, 2 km, 4 km and 6 km are staged to fit skiers of all ages and ability. Medals will be given to all finishers with refreshments served afterwards. Registration begins at 1:00 pm and the event fun kicks off at 2 pm on the trails, Barneløpet will begin at the Hancock Four Seasons Chalet, at the Hancock Recreation Area trailhead, at the fairgrounds. Parents are encouraged to ski along if they wish.

Registration is FREE for all courtesy of co-sponsors Keweenaw Cross Country Skiing Fund of the Keweenaw Community Foundation and the Portage Health Auxiliary.

For those who do not have skis for young children, they can be requested from Event Director Wayne Stordahl, says Diebel, but call him no later than February 6th to request them.

Since the first Barneløpet event took place, on Feb. 16, 2008, the noncompetitive event has become a Copper Country tradition. It was sponsored by the Sons of Norway, the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) and Portage Health, who intended the event to promote skiing among children and families. It has grown every year since the first event.

It isn’t clear how many children attended the first year’s event, but 10 years later, more than 52 kids participated, and were not discouraged by single digit temperatures and high winds. Five years later, the number had increased to 62.

For more information, call Wayne Stordahl (906) 482-0292. To register, visit https://hancocktrails.org/event/barnelopet/