“[Skijoring is] a very cool automobile to journey across the West,” says Madison Ostergren, an expert large mountain skier from Michigan who tried it for the primary time in Silverton, Colorado.
Getty PhotographsFor many guests, skijoring is greatest skilled as a spectator sport. Standing trackside as horses thunder previous, skiers flying behind them, delivers an adrenaline hit that rivals steep alpine descents – without having to strap in your self. Occasions are usually ticketed however are normally decrease price than a day on the slopes, making them an accessible different to resort snowboarding.
For curious newcomers, skijoring competitions are open registration, although they usually require superior snowboarding. “There’s an entire beginner division,” notes skilled skier Veronica Paulsen, “so anybody can join and take a look at it.”Â
Nonetheless, there are different – simpler – methods to dip your toe into the scene. Satan’s Thumb Ranch close to Winter Park and a number of other Nordic Facilities supply beginner-friendly variations utilizing canines relatively than horses, giving guests a style of the game in a extra managed setting. Snake River Ranch in Jackson Gap, Wyoming, provides horse-led skijoring beneath shut supervision, with structured periods designed to make the expertise accessible for newcomers.
