7 January, 2025
~ HAPPY NEW "SKIJOR" YEAR ~
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~NEW RACE DATES ~
The 2025 Calendar of Events
continues to grow!
Cache Valley Skijoring
Logan, Utah ~ January 31 - February 1
brought to you by
www.cachevalleyskijoring.com
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Extreme Skijor
Wallace, Idaho ~ February 14, 15 & 16
brought to you by
www.skiwallace.com
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Skijordue
Calgary, Alberta ~ February 15 & 16
brought to you by
www.skijorcanada.com
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Skijoring the Bear
Bear Lake, Utah ~ February 21 & 22
brought to you by
www.skijoringthebear.com
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Whitefish Skijoring
Whitefish, MT ~ February 22 & 23
brought to you by
www.whitefishskijoring.org
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Kumoterki
in the Podhale Region of southern Poland
Kościelisko ~ January 12
Poronin ~ January 26
Ludźmierz ~ February 2
Bukowina ~ February 9
Bialy Dunajec ~ February 16
Zakopane ~ February 23
brought to you by
www.kumoterki.pl
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~ CANCELLATIONS ~
Meeker, Colorado
Browning, Montana
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UPDATED 2025 CALENDAR
JANUARY
RIDGWAY, CO ~ JAN 10, 11 & 12
PAGOSA SRRINGS, CO ~ JAN 18 & 19
LEWISTOWN, MT ~ JAN 18 & 19
TOPSHAM, ME ~ JAN 25
ESTES PARK, CO ~ JAN 25 & 26
FEBRUARY
LOGAN, UT ~ JAN 31 & FEB 1
BOULDER, MT ~ FEB 1 & 2
SARATOGA, WY ~ FEB 1 & 2
CHEWELAH, WA ~ FEB 1 & 2
SHERIDAN, WY ~ FEB 8
CRAIG, CO ~ FEB 8 & 9
BIG SKY, MT ~ FEB 8 & 9
MARSH VALLEY, ID ~ FEB 8 & 9
PINEDALE, WY ~ FEB 8 & 9
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO ~ FEB 8 & 9**
** Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival
HEBER CITY, UTAH ~ FEB 14 & 15
WALLACE, IDAHO ~ FEB 14,15 & 16
SUNDANCE, WY ~ FEB 15
SILVERTON, CO ~ FEB 15 & 16
BELLEVUE, ID ~ FEB 15 & 16
CALGARY, ALBERTA ~ FEB 15 & 16
BEAR LAKE, UT ~ FEB 21 & 22
SKOWHEGAN, ME ~ FEB 22
DRIGGS, ID ~ FEB 22 & 23
CANTERBURY PARK, MN ~ FEB 22 & 23
WISDOM, MT ~ FEB 22 & 23
WHITEFISH, MT ~ FEB 22 & 23
MARCH
LEADVILLE, CO ~ MAR 1 & 2
RED LODGE, MT ~ MAR 8 & 9
STEELE RANCH, WY ~ MAR 7, 8 & 9
COLD LAKE, ALBERTA ~ MAR 9
LITTLE JENNIE, BONDURANT, WY ~ MAR 15 & 16
ALL RACES ARE ORGANIZED INDEPENDENTLY
and SKIJOR USA proudly supports them all.
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2025 RACES STILL LIKELY TBD
GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALBERTA
aka Thunder In The Pines
BLAIRMORE, ALBERTA
aka Pole and Spur
For a continuous up-to-date calendar
and links to each event visit
SKIJOR USA
https://www.skijorusa.com/
Click on each event to get more information.
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~ KICK OFF ~
Due to lack of snow,
Meeker Skijor was cancelled
&
San Juan Skijoring
in Ridgway, Colorado will kick off the season
this weekend
January 10, 11 & 12
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~ UP AND COMING ~
ESTES PARK SKIJOR
in Estes Park, Colorado
January 25 & 26
The first inaugural skijoring event
in iconic Estes Park, Colorado promises
to bring a fresh approach and an exciting finish
to the month of January!
Estes Park Skijor in partnership with
Estes Park Western Heritage Foundation
and Running Wild Events
plans to showcase many of its local amenities,
such as dining, family activities and lodging,
against the backdrop of an exhilarating skijoring race.
~ CASH AND PRIZES ~
Estes Park Skijor
is offering a $20,000 prize purse, buckles,
sponsor gifts and awards.
Organizers may even sweeten the pot
by paying DAY MONEY
in Open, Sport and Snowboard.
This is unofficial, so stay tuned for more details.
To register go to:
https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/EstesPark/EstesParkSkijor
Since this is their first year,
please pardon any challenges involving
the registration process.
Help is readily available by emailing Kevin at
kevin@runningwildusa.com
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~ DIVISIONS & FORMAT ~
In keeping with tradition,
and to keep hearts and hooves pounding to the max,
the Open Division will be held
in MATCH format both Saturday & Sunday.
Winners are determined by scores
determined on a team basis
with the average time from Saturday and Sunday.
For Open, a prize pot of $10,000
will be distributed among the three top team finishers
with the rider and skier splitting the proceeds.
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The Sport and Snowboard Divisions
are more freeform,
just like their "rad" competitors.
Saturday, teams will race as a MATCH
&
Saturday night, competitors will DRAW
to combine new teams for Sunday's race.
Winners will be determined by combining the fastest times
of both days for individual riders and skiers.
The placements for riders will be
based on their skier's or snowboarder's times.
For Sport, a prize pot of $6000
will be distributed among the six top finishers,
three riders and three skiers.
For Snowboard, a prize pot of $4000
will be distributed among the top six finishers,
three riders and three snowboarders.
Buckles will also be awarded to
top riders and skiers/snowboarders in the top three divisions.
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Novice Division
consists of one MATCH either day.
Teams may choose which day to compete.
There are no maximum times one can enter as either
a rider or a horse.
Skiers, however, are limited to two entries.
Prizes will be awarded on Sunday
based on the performance of all teams over both days.
Junior Division
There is no fee for Juniors.
Juniors up to the age of 16 may compete in this division,
but only teams whose competitors are both 12 and under
are eligible for prizes.
Rather than prize money from the pot,
the Novice and Junior Divisions
will win prizes provided by generous event sponsors.
For more information click on this link:
https://www.runningwildevents.com/skijorcontestant.html
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~ RULES & REGS ~
It is worth taking a look at the Rules & Regs
for clarification since the number of times a skier/snowboarder
can enter is dependent on division.
4 times in Open
3 times in Sport and Snowboard
2 times in Novice
This is to encourage more participation
by skiers/snowboarders new to the sport.
Skiers/Snowboarders may only enter ONE division.
Riders may only enter ONE division.
He/she may not bring and ride horses in more than one division.
If a rider wants to bring another horse for a second
division, this is encouraged, but then another person must enter to ride it, and so on.
For detailed rules click here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CvNNdiEEmfyLpVq6B1n1ZKQMyT5y1Cu2kPLTaokTMdQ/edit?tab=t.0
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~ VENUE ~
The event takes place at the
Estes Park Fairgrounds.
The track is relatively straight with a slight "jog" or two.
The run out is safe and ample.
Snow conditions and the packed dirt footing below the track
provide optimal conditions.
Estes Park Skijor is prepared to make snow
if the pristine snow on hand isn't enough.
State of the art grooming equipment is being used
as well as experienced course designers, professional judges
and reliable, modern timing equipment.
~ HOUSING ~
There are plenty of cozy, affordable accommodations
in Estes Park.
Estes Park Inn is providing a special rate for competitors
but you must call 970-586-2358.
~ HORSES ~
There is ample parking for trailers, and on site camping is allowed.
Electrical hook ups are available.
Horses can be boarded on site.
For boarding information
contact Katie at katie@rooftoprodeo.com
There are over 200 free stalls, but shavings, if desired,
need to be ordered from the vendor
and cannot be brought in due to agricultural restrictions.
Hay and alfalfa may be brought in, but
timothy grass, alfalfa and a variety of grains are
also available upon request.
There is a water source for all horse stalls/trailers close by.
Contact Oz at 970-420-1168
for more info or for specific needs.
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SKIJORDUE
in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
February 15 & 16
Debuting in 2017,
and making a splash right from the start,
Skijordue is moving
to an invitational format in 2025.
20 talented teams will
deliver "The Greatest Show on Snow"
to 12K spectators in, as Skijor Canada puts it best,
"A blistering blend of snow, style, cheese, gritty cowboys,
gnarly freeriders, fur, fringe and fashionistas."
The organizers thank all who have competed in their event
over the years and encourages skijor enthusiasts to
reach out to their local riding and ag orgs
to host events and continue
to grow the sport in Alberta and beyond!
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EXTREME SKIJOR
in Wallace, ID
February 14,15 & 16
This family friendly event
is located at the base of two ski hills,
Lookout Pass and Silver Mountain.
Wallace is 50 miles east of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho,
and offers a host of restaurants and hotels.
It is their 7th annual event,
so Wallace can ABSOULUTELY
say that their event has gained "traction"!
Instead of by horses,
skiers and snowboarders are pulled by
tracked 4wheelers
down one of Wallace's main streets.
Judging from promotional video content,
the skiers and snowboarders are not shy about
adding tricks to their repertoire which, as we all know,
adds to the thrill for competitors and spectators alike.
For those of you clicking or buckling into skis or boards
rather that hopping into a saddle,
this event is not only a great way to test your
skills, but also a great way to get a taste of skijoring
and some practice if you are new to the sport
and don't have a horse/rider lined up for another race.
On Friday night, 7 PM to 10 PM, at the Rail Jam,
snowboarders will navigate
a course which includes jumps and rails.
Saturday is the Qualifier for skiers,
and Sunday is the Finals.
A prize pot of $7000
will be distributed and three places paid out.
A Comedy Show and a Super Hero Costume Contest
adds to the fun of the weekend.
Welcome to the family, Ski Wallace!
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Skijoring continues to gain momentum in Utah as well.
In addition to Skijoring Utah's main event
in Heber City,
Cache Valley & Skijoring the Bear
are also on the 2025 calendar
Jan 31 & February 1 and February 21 & 22.
Both of these events feature divisions friendly
to newcomers, fun seekers and young participants
much like San Juan Skijoring
which is happening this coming weekend.
Snowboard, Women's, Century, All 'Round and Lil' Buckaroo
are added to the Pro/Sport/Novice in Cache Valley
&
Snowboard, Rookie, Century and Lil' Buckaroo in Bear Lake.
This trend toward tailoring events that
offer fun for the WHOLE family
and for those simply seeking FUN
is a positive movement that Skijor USA applauds.
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A VIRTUAL SKIJOR SUMMIT
was held on
December 15, 2024.
There were 12 attendees
and 6 who wished to attend but had a scheduling conflict.
These included 8 organizers,
2 Advisory Committee Members (present and former),
4 photographers and videographers, 1 announcer, 1 timing company, and
1 newcomer to the skijor scene who rides and plays polo.
The meeting covered topics such as:
Social Media Posts and The Rise of Promotional Videography
The Future of Corporate Sponsorships
The Advent of Invitationals & Exhibitions vs Traditional Races
Developing and Marketing Specific Athletes as "Talent"
Increased Profiling of Horses & Their Stories
Timing Challenges and Solutions
Another SKIJOR Summit
is planned for the month of January.
The date will be announced.
Please email loren@skijorusa.com
if you are interested in attending
&
any topics you would like to follow up, discuss or introduce.
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~ COMMUNITY POSTS ~
Mark LaRowe
Mark LaRowe's photography
was featured in an extensive article
in Big Sky Journal.
Check it out by clicking the link below.
https://bigskyjournal.com/idahos-skijoring-revival/
Mark will be photographing at
Ridgway, Estes Park, Big Sky, Bellevue, Driggs and Red Lodge
this year which will take him to the 50 event mark.
If you are curious to see photos Mark may have captured
of your run over the past few years
visit his gallery at
https://marklarowe.photoshelter.com/
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J.W. Kinder
has announced Silverton Skijoring
for over 5 years
and has also picked up Leadville and Estes Park.
J.W. calls Casper, Wyoming home
and has announced over 2500 performances
after retiring from competing in rodeo.
He also runs his own big game outfitting service.
J.W. has some weekends still open
so if you need an announcer, music or sound for your event
give him a holler at:
wyomingcowboy_us@yahoo.com
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Brooksee Timing
has done an excellent job at Teton Valley Skijoring,
and encourages anyone seeking timing services
to contact Robert Bigelow at:
385-231-3426
robert@brooksee.com
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JOR INTO 2025!
Loren Zhimanskova,
President, Skijor USA, Inc. & Skijor International, LLC