Skijoring Returns To Jackson
It has been some years since Jackson Hole has seen Skijoring, but this year in time for the community’s 3rd Annual WinterFest, the competition is returning. The contest is being sponsored by the Jackson Hole Shrine Club with profits again benefitting the Shriners’ Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. Shrine President Rod Everett says Skijoring, with historic roots in Lapland, had been a sport of sorts for many years in Jackson as recently as a decade ago. He says Ski Joring was done at the same time as the cutter races in front of the Wort Hotel downtown. In some cases, it involved kids laying down on a hide being pulled behind horses as they would race down the street against each other. Says Everett, “Can you imagine the liability today? Holy Smokes!” Well, the event this weekend he says will be much tamer and a lot more organized. He points out that the North American Ski Joring Association has since been established complete with rules and sanctions, and the competition this weekend has been approved by that organization. In fact, Everett says, the national association has declared the event the North American Championships for the sport. Everett says it is anticipated there will be 15 teams in each of three classes for the race. Racers on skis are pulled on a rope behind a horse and rider as they make their ways through obstacles along the track. The course will be on the same track used for the cutter races at Melody Ranch last weekend except there will be jumps and slalom gates set up for the skiers. Admission for spectators is $5 at the gate.
