We wanted to jump into your inbox again and bring XFondo ambassadors some behind the scenes developments for the 2024 event.
The Squamish Lillooet Regional District announced back in 2022 that it was proposing an extension to the Sea to Sky trail which forms much of the current XFondo Whistler route. The proposals were voted through the following year and despite delays, construction has been underway since.
This extension finally connects the trail fully between Whistler and Pemberton:
The Wilson 5 Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation formed by lululemon founder Chip Wilson, is contributing $1,370,000 to the project.
The Wilson 5 Foundation contribution augments the nearly $700,000 grant funding from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program announced in April.
XFondo to venture onto the extension!
With the extension due to be open in time for June, we are thrilled to be bringing a 3rd distance category to the event on June 15.
On the map above, the new distance will be the longest one on offer and make use of the Rutherford Creek to Suicide Hill section.
We're yet to name this new distance category, but are likely to give it something humourous like "s*** that was long!". We expect it to be around 70km, with the other options currently at 60km and 43km.
XFondo is notorious for having lower headline distances that deceive in terms of difficulty, so don't be fooled! As a result, we are also considering renaming the "Shorter" category to "Long", keeping "Longer" category unchanged and then adding the new distance.
There will be an extra rest stop for these riders on the new course, with details to be released publicly later.
That's all for now! Consider yourself in-the-know. It's going to be some amazing new terrain to ride for participants and provide the next dimension of XFondo's challenge!
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
~ Oli
