‘OURAY FOR SKIJORING ~ I SKIJOR IN JEANS
January 7, 2026
~ RING IN THE NEW ~
As New Year's Eve
remains fresh in our minds,
Tennyson's poetic line,
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
seems appropriate as we usher in a new season.
Many of us are, no doubt, are experiencing a strong feeling
of nostalgia for the past,
especially since so many races are celebrating milestones
this year, like San Juan and Saratoga.
Happy 10th Anniversary!
Just a decade ago,
events typically began with no more than a boisterous
Friday night sign up at a local watering hole.
Word of mouth was our form of advertising.
A combination of a family reunion and speed dating
unfolded as teams formed before our eyes.
People paid by cash or check,
no one wore fur and
"Registration" turned into a SKIJOR party.
Mother Nature dictated whether or not a race was run,
snowboarders started showing up to give it a go,
and technology did not rule our lives.
Tik Tok? Timing chips? Online WHAT?!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In the last fifteen years so much has changed
within our sport
that it feels like an eternity ago
that I was standing on a rickety flatbed trailer
with a radio and a printed run sheet
plastered to a wet clipboard.
I struggling with gloved hands to record times
while horses and skiers flew by within inches of me.
I have Jac Laman of McCoy, Colorado, to thank
for introducing me to skijoring.
And I will say this to any volunteers out there,
skijoring can very well change your life.
(Case in point!)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Other races are celebrating
their first or second year on the circuit,
like Grand Lake, Three Forks, Red Deer and Estes Park,
and we are certain that
they are the first to give credit to those who
continue to mentor and support them.
The important thing to remember
is that this sport would not and could not
be where it is today without ALL of the hard work
of MANY individuals who have strived,
sometimes against all odds, to keep it progressing
in the right direction.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Now that we, as a sport, seem to be reaching
a pinnacle of sorts,
the challenge will be not to lose sight of
the important lessons learned from the past,
and to build on them responsibly and with integrity.
We must also not lose sight of
the values that make this sport special
and that are shared by the people who have weathered
the storms of the past.
We must stay humble, stay community driven,
stay focused on cherishing and protecting our equine athletes
and stay true to a mission that is lasting.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Two events that embody all that is noted above are
San Juan Skijoring & Saratoga Skijoring
and, fittingly, one happens to be the very first race
of the 2026 season this January
&
the other will kick off the month of February.
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~ GUNS A BLAZIN' ~
The 2026 Skijor Season
might as well be
shot out of a cannon this coming weekend
January 9th, 10th & 11th
at the Ouray Fairgrounds,
in Ridgway, Colorado!
It is San Juan's 10th Anniversary year,
and this event has evolved more dramatically than any other
due to the enthusiasm, innovation, commitment,
hard work and talent of its organizers.
There has been no taking the foot off the gas pedal
since the day Richard Weber walked into
the Minturn Saloon in 2016,
and since then, he and his family have redefined skijoring
in many ways.
~ REDEFINING THE SPORT ~
From the very beginning, San Juan's motto has been
"Raising the bar since 2017".
Their goal was to assess and fix what they felt was missing
at other events they attended by putting
safety, integrity, fairness and the competitor experience first.
They continue to evolve, pushing the boundaries,
introducing groundbreaking ideas and revolutionizing the sport.
Tyler Smedsrud's course designs are legendary now.
Richard's talent in molding the course using
sculpting tools like bulldozers and skid steers, impressive.
Sarah's intense attention to detail when it comes to
registration, format and production, epic.
The Ridgway event is now a three-day skijor immersion experience
combining racing with live concerts, local culinary treats,
and plenty of time to gather around bonfires
and under heated tents.
The field of competitors,
who will complete nearly 400 runs in three days,
is representative of many regions
including Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, New Mexico,
California and Alberta, Canada.
Skijoring's most experienced and top performing athletes
will intermix with emerging talent,
while a new generation of riders, skiers and boarders
will feel welcomed and supported.
Horses' welfare is central to San Juan Skijoring's
success and every precaution is taken
to ensure their safety.
The curve of the track is gentle
and the run out generous.
San Juan also has a top-notch professional protocol in place
in case a rider, skier or horse gets into trouble.
~ THE DIVISIONS ~
San Juan continues to offer the traditional divisions,
Open/Pro, Sport, Novice and Junior
and divides Snowboard into two levels of expertise
Pro Snowboard and Snowboard Lite.
Think of how much this division has grown!
Twisted Switch and Slope Style
are peppered in,
two STAND ALONE divisions at San Juan.
In Twisted Switch the rider and skier must switch spots
halfway through the run at a designated spot on the track.
Slope style, defined as
"a freestyle event where athletes ski down a course
with multiple features like rails, jumps and boxes,
performing creative tricks (spins, flips, grabs)
and linking them together for style, amplitude and originality"
differs from races that simply offer a free style division.
~ THE FORMAT ~
San Juan has taken into consideration
pacing the event for both the competitors' and
the spectators' optimal experience.
Slope Style will be on Friday Night and Sunday.
Pro Snowboard will be Saturday and Sunday and
Open/Pro Ski will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
These divisions will be DOUBLE MATCH
meaning the teams will remain the same for both runs
each day, and their BEST time will be counted.
The run order will remain consistent, but the point at which
the run order begins will be adjusted each day
to lessen the chance of an unfair advantage or disadvantage.
San Juan is taking the comfort of spectators
into consideration by offering a heated Visitors Tent
open to ALL ticket holders at no extra cost.
There will be live monitors, vendors and entertainment inside
including live bands and a mechanical bull.
There will also be two Calcuttas,
one on Friday and one on Saturday,
to give both competitors and spectators ample access to
bid on teams and enjoy the festive spirit.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ COMMUNITY DRIVEN ~
San Juan Skijoring
is ONE with the Ouray County community,
and how much this event has grown is proof this fact.
By fulfilling a mission to ignite passion, opportunity,
and growth within their community,
they have also fostered economic vitality for their town
and invested in their youth.
A scholarship is awarded every year to a talented
young applicant.
The long list of sponsors, many who have been with
the event since 2017, is truly impressive.
This shows the staying power of an event that strengthens
the town's identity as a hub for sportsmanship, tradition and resilience.
Friday Night Lights
is designed to welcome residents and visitors
out to the venue under the magic of starlit alpine skies.
While this concept may have been explored at other venues,
San Juan is taking extra measures
to make their competitors and spectators comfortable
with warming tents and lots of hot beverages, food and music.
No sitting out in the cold in your saddle or
all alone a frozen bleacher seat!
Gather 'round the fire pit, talk to your neighbor
and meet some top riders and skiers.
The line up is limited to Open/Pro and Slope Style
to maximize excitement and quality time.
OH! and
FRIDAY NIGHT will be LIVE!
Can you say, FNL?
Check out the livestream all three days
on the Cowboy Channel Plus!
(A subscription is required.)
(link)
~ I PROTEST! ~
San Juan Skijoring
has written their rules with the goal of
keeping the competition fair
and insuring integrity is at its highest level.
Protests must be voiced before the start of the next run
to either the Finish Judge or Arena Judge.
An on-site official reviews all runs and calls to
ensure nothing is missed.
If the competitor loses the protest during the race,
they have the right to re-protest that night
with CLEAR 100% footage.
Any team has the right to throw a flag
if they believe any team that before them that day
had a penalty that wasn't called.
There are clear parameters as to times by which
a protest must be made and standard of evidence considered.
A unanimous decision must be made by
the protest committee.
~ A CHANGING LANDSCAPE ~
While the fairgrounds venue has been a constant
for San Juan Skijoring,
the amount of snowfall in Ouray County has not,
but regardless of natural snow conditions,
organizers have literally moved
Heaven and Earth
to ensure their skijoring tradition continues.
As evidenced by posts on social media,
their team is working tirelessly and around the clock to
make snow, truck it in, lay the track and carve the features.
This is very costly, yet San Juan STILL offers one of
the HIGHEST prize pots on the circuit
currently estimated at $52,800.
San Juan now pays the horse 15%
with the balance split between skier and rider.
Day Money is paid in addition to Overall,
and depending on the division, up to 6 places.
This is all SO IMPORTANT for the
overall health and grassroots enthusiasm of the sport.
In doing so,
more competitors will feel acknowledged,
appreciated and thus, likely to come back for more!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Saratoga Skijoring
has also evolved to become
a true leader and innovator in the sport.
Hats off to Richard Raymer and Will Faust
and their dedicated team!
~ I SKIJOR IN JEANS ~
Here are some distinct traits to be admired:
A race
that trucks in snow from
the Snowy Range to build a challenging
track on fairgrounds property
with ample space for staging at the start,
horse/skier return and a safe run out.
A race
that has embraced the "D" format
in the Open/Sport Division
to lessen the chance that teams run
in the wrong division and prevent sandbagging.
A race
that has engineered and designed
a timing system inspired by Jody Manly's creation in Leadville,
but vastly improved by modern technology.
A race
that puts community first by supporting
local causes with proceeds benefitting the Saratoga Lions Club,
scholarship funds, and more
such as Discover Carbon County initiatives.
A race
that pays the rider 60%
and the skier 40%
recognizing the increased financial burden
of trailering, doctoring, feeding, boarding and equipping
the equine team member or third heart beat.
A race
that awards a buckle to the winner in
the Junior Division
allowing older siblings/friends over the age of 14 or
parents to partner with the younger rider/skier.
This increases the number of teams
and instills confidence in the young participants
so that they can move on to Novice
with experience and a sense of accomplishment
under, or, if they are wearing a buckle,
ON their belt!
A race
that welcomes competitors from
across states like Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho
and Montana,
plus wranglers from the nearby Brush Creek Ranch
who come from Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Saratoga has a special division for County 6 teams,
taking pride in their hometown roots
and having some downright fun
in the "Good Times Valley"!
A race
whose town provides
an all-around Western experience
for competitors and their families or visitors
to historic Saratoga
offering myriad dining options,
an authentic bar scene with music,
charming hotels, lodges and AirBNBs,
great vintage and one-of-a-kind artsy shops,
PLUS relaxing hot springs!
A race
that is SELFLESS and SUPPORTIVE of
neighboring races in Colorado
and collaborates with other organizers to
continuously improve the integrity, safety, efficiency
and overall standards of the sport.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ THE SKIJOR CUP POINTS SERIES ~
The Skijor Cup
will award points for every dollar earned
at any event on the 2026 circuit*.
At San Juan Skijoring Day Money and Overall will combine.
We are SO excited to kick off the point series
and start the ranking process
with San Juan Skijoring!
We will begin to profile competitors
by state and division,
and we will interview the winners whenever possible
either during the event or afterwards.
As a competitor,
there is NO need to register
and NO cost involved to be in the ranking.
Races at which competitors earn points are neither
members of an association or under a governing body
nor are they sanctioned by any entity
including Skijor USA or the Skijor Cup.
All races remain independent and self-governing.
The Skijor Cup is a collaborative effort
to structure the sport, award excellence and
encourage sportsmanship and growth.
Look for follow up on our social media pages
and our website.
https://www.skijorcup.com/
https://www.instagram.com/skijor.cup/
https://www.tiktok.com/@skijor.cup
*If points are put towards another championship,
points will not accrue towards the Skijor Cup series.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ OUR PRO POSAL ~
We think it is important to point out that
The Skijor Cup
is not the first attempt
(though we have confidence it will be the last!)
to formulate a point series that embraces the whole circuit
and speaks to the entire community in terms
that are objective and fair, inclusive and unifying
and easily tracked and understood.
Skijoring has long needed something to rally behind.
As San Juan exemplifies
and Saratoga demonstrates,
our objective should be to study the past
and learn from it, constantly improving along the way.
We believe that top competitors should not self-select,
but prove their abilities out in the field and
across a broad spectrum of events.
We believe that competitors should be given every
opportunity to succeed through rules and regulations
that are fair and transparent.
We believe in an equal playing field in which
information such as course design,
timing methods and officiating guidelines are provided
well in advance of registrations opening.
This effort is supported by
many people who have contributed to series in the past
from NASJA to Skijoring America to Skijor USA.
They are among the professionals of skijoring
along with competitors like
Richard Weber and Sarah and Tyler Smedsrud,
Richard Raymer and Will Faust,
who, despite the cache of buckles they have amassed
over the years, and deservedly so,
give more back to the sport than they may ever receive from it.
We have put past politics aside for the good of the sport,
and together, we will succeed and lead the sport
confidently into the future.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ UPDATE ON REGISTRATONS ~
Saratoga Skijoring
Open 3D and Novice is FULL.
To join the waitlist or register for Junior click below:
https://www.saratogaskijoring.com/registration
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Whitefish Skijoring
Public Request Window
is January 7 & 8.
https://www.whitefishskijoring.org/competitors
For questions or issues email
competitors.wfskijoring@gmail.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Registration went live at
Teton Valley Skijoring on January 5th.
https://tetonskijor.org/register-to-run/
The divisions listed on their website are
Open, Sport, Snowboard, Novice, Women's
Youth and Junior.
Junior is strictly kids 12 years and under only.
If divisions are full, there is a waitlist option.
According to their Facebook post,
you do not need to be a "tour member" to race
or win prizes at their event.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Future dates:
Grand Lake Skijoring
Registration opens January 13th.
https://www.grandlakeskijor.com/
Bridger Brewskis & Spurs
Three Forks, MT
opens January 20th.
https://www.bridgerskijoring.com/
Silverton Skijoring
opens January 25th
https://www.silvertonskijoring.com/racers
Wood River Extreme Skijoring
Novice Snowboard and Juniors are FULL.
Online registration for other divisions
closes February 12th
or waitlist is available once divisions are full.
https://woodriveresja.com/registration-forms/
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ CANCELLATIONS ~
In Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Skis and Saddles
has been cancelled due to weather and safety concerns.
Float Like a Buffalo band will still play
Saturday at 8 PM.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Red River Skijoring
has cancelled due to ongoing lack of snow
and unsafe conditions.
All participants who registered and prepaid
will receive a refund in 5 days.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ NEW RACES ~
There is a new event in
Lac La Biche County, Alberta
on February 21st.
This is organized by the same folks
who put on the Cold Lake
Skijoring for MS race on February 7th.
Click here to register for one or both:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZu8VXZ1t-9hWU7ZgSQGpqwOkE3XIHSCEUSaOkduq6TvEmxQ/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawPI_yJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeU2jw7PZphxcuPLniAxp1i6rjs9wZI5azXp3jeEpLMdBMPOtMhFJJDTWU6YU_aem_t47uu2oVrQ7MoxZK2AWxZA
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~ CLINICS ~
Another clinic in Alberta has been scheduled
for January 11th from 10 AM to 3 PM.
It is being organized by
Sophie Couture of Matters Equine.
Go to Skijoring Events USA & Canada Facebook
for more info:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/5599990170129239/
Mountain View Skijor,
affiliated with Extreme Skijoring Alberta,
is planning to organize clinics in central Alberta
NW of Calgary and SW of Red Deer.
Stay tuned for more information,
or go to their Facebook page for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/mountainviewskijor/
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
JOR ON!
Loren Zhimanskova,
Founder, Skijor USA & Skijor International