CSM 2025 Radio Operator's Home Page

The CSM dates are February 8 & 9 2025.

CLICK HERE to volunteer now by filling in this form!

What is the Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM)???

Founded in 1966, the CSM is North America’s oldest cross-country ski event. Held the 2nd weekend in February since 1967, it takes place in the beautiful Outaouais region, centred on Montebello. It is a two-day, family friendly event. It is not a race. Skiers can ski on one to five sections each day. Each section averages 16 km, but there are longer and shorter sections. Checkpoints are set up at the start and end of each section.

Changes to the CSM for 2025

There are several changes to the CSM in 2025.

• A new company is in charge of Safety - Groupe Instant Santé
• Route: the trail is almost entirely contained within the Kenauk reserve - it is the same route that was planned for 2024
• Common finish: all skiers will finish in Montebello
• Skiers book the sections they will ski in advance
• Re-used checkpoints: although the route is different each day, several of the same checkpoints are used both days
• Relocated Gold Camp just north of Montebello
• "Plan B" route may be used of there is not enough snow in Montebello
• Sand Pit checkpoint has moved a small distance
• Tauton checkpoint is being enlarged and the road is being improved

Ham radio operators at CSM 2025

Most of the ski trail used for the CSM is in semi-remote areas that have little or no cell coverage. The CSM uses commercial digital radios for health, safety, and logistics traffic. However, the CSM needs the skills and knowledge of ham operators to run a controlled net on the commercial rigs. When equipment or environmental factors make the commercial rigs difficult or impossible to use, 2m ham radio is used as a backup.

To comment, please send an email to Harrie Jones, VE3HYS harriej59_at_gmail.com or to Neil Herber, VE3PUE ve3pue@hambone.ca.

Tasks for radio ops

We need radio operators for:

• net control - located near Montebello - net controllers MUST be bilingual
• checkpoints - spread along the route - see Maps for details - being bilingual is helpful but not necessary

A day in the life of a CSM radio operator

You wake up at home, have breakfast, and drive to your checkpoint. Or you wake up in one of the "dorms", eat a supplied breakfast with the skiers, and then drive to your checkpoint.

You arrive at the checkpoint with or slightly ahead of the checkpoint team (about 15 people). Arrival time depends on the checkpoint. You park as directed, set up the commercial radio transported in the checkpoint van, and check in to net control. You usually operate from inside your car, but in nice weather, you can be outside as long as you can hear and have quick access to your radio.

Throughout the day you pass traffic between net control or other checkpoints and your checkpoint leader. This usually involves things like requests for more food, water, propane or other supplies. You log the messages so that you can recall when they were sent and if there was any follow up needed.

After the sweep following the last inbound skier arrives, the checkpoint will be torn down and packed up. The radio will be the last item packed up and you then done for the day unless you have a second assignment.

Because there can be a lot of traffic at some times, keep your transmissions short and to the point. Net control will scold you if you disobey this rule. Do not guess at answers to questions - either ask the checkpoint leader or net control to be sure you are passing on accurate information. Any health and safety matters must be handled by the professional medical team who have their own radio net. If their radio fails they may need to use your radio until the repair truck arrives.

So to summarize: Job #1 is to communicate efficiently and accurately. Job #2 is to have fun. Be sure to do both!

Volunteer thank-you banquet

A volunteer thank-you banquet is being planned in BOTH Gatineau and Montreal. In addition to free food, the banquet features lots of door prizes (some quite substantial) and presentation of service pins and awards. More details to come.

But this may not be ham radio! (you say to yourself...)

Ham radios will be used for backup and for some volunteers who will not have commercial rigs available.

The important point is that the CSM needs people who are skilled at operating on a controlled net. Those are ham skills.

But I am busy that weekend!

Well, maybe next year? (February 2026) Please pass this info on to other operators you know. Perhaps your local club ... ? Thanks!