It was no ordinary day in the classroom for participants in the fifth annual Yukon Nordic School Challenge.

On Wednesday, approximately 185 students took time away from the books for a four-hour plus trip to the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club.

This year's total nearly doubled from 2008 and featured the largest number to ever participate at the Yukon Nordic School Challenge.

"I think people are hearing about it, knowing that it's not an elite type of event," said Amanda Deuling, assistant sport co-ordinator for Cross Country Yukon about the increased attendance. "Last year, there was a school that came and hadn't come in previous years, thinking that their skiers weren't good enough to come and they are back this year."

The day was broken up into two parts, starting at 10 a.m. when students were divided into 14 mixed inter-school squads. A team leader led each group, which traveled to 14 activity stations until the noon lunch break.

Team leaders were youth members on the Yukon Ski Team and included cross country nationals medallist David Greer.

One of the more challenging and creative activities was called scooter soccer. Scooter soccer tested not only the kids' soccer and skiing skills, but also balance as well. Using one ski, participants played a game of soccer.

There were also plenty of other downhill activities with jumps, dips and other obstacles.

After the lunch break, students tested their quickness in a sprint race. The sprint race, a long standing tradition at the Yukon Nordic School Challenge, was an inter school competition and divided students up according to grades.

Deuling said this helps kids get to know one another and also to avoid one school dominating over the others.

The sprint race and activities were all none-timed events.

"It's a great way to introduce kids to racing in competition in a fun atmosphere too," Deuling said about not timing the kids.

A total of 10 elementary schools participated this year, including one from each Carmacks and Carcross.

Prizes were still awarded at the challenge, open to students in Grade 4 through 7, despite it not being competitive.

Two prizes were given out by the team leaders, including the squads' most spectacular wipe out and spirit award. Tim Horton's and Cross Country Yukon supplied the prizes for both honours.

There was also a most enthusiastic team mention and a school spirit award. Jack Hulland Elementary ended up winning the school spirit award and was given a trophy to take back as a memento.

In addition to awards, all of the skiers were given a Cross Country Canada hat for participating.

Cross Country Yukon put on the event with the help of more than 30 volunteers and partners Cross Country Canada, Para-Nordic Canada, Tim Horton's and the Grey Mt. Lions Club.

Wendy Jickling, a teacher at Whitehorse Elementary and the school's staff sponsor for the event, said she enjoyed taking part.

"We had a great bunch of kids, they're always a pleasure to come with them," she said. "A lot of them ski several times a week, so they are really keen."

With more than 30 students, Whitehorse Elementary was one of the larger school contingents on Wednesday.

Jickling said her students did well and likes how this isn't a competitive event.

"I love the participation aspect of it," she said. "I think in some cases the less competition the better because we had a big variety of skiers, lots of them have skied lots, some had skied a bit.

"So it's nice to have the participation rather than they focus on winning."

Grade 5 student Shadunjen Van Kampen skied in the Yukon Nordic School Challenge for the first time. Van Kampen, 10, said she had a good time.

"I liked all of the fun games and the races at the end," she said adding her favourite activity was the downhill obstacle course.

She said it was nice having a day off school and plans on taking part next year.

Jack Hulland's Paul Nikitiuk also had a good time at the school challenge.

"It went really good," he said. "It was fun."