Skijoring offers weekend of fun

Novice riders, skiers sought for annual Whitefish event

Horses and skis are the combination for a Whitefish Winter Carnival attraction that has grown in popularity in recent years.

Skijoring, as it is called, is the focus of a rompin', stompin' three-day tournament at the Whitefish City Airport.

Horses and riders pull skiers on ropes through a series of gates and jumps in pursuit of the fastest times and prize money.

This year's event starts with registration on Jan. 30 and competition Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

Scott Ping, one of the event's lead organizers, said that since skijoring was brought back as a Winter Carnival attraction six years ago it has steadily grown in popularity among contestants and spectators.

"We've had as many as 2,500 spectators on really nice days," Ping said. "And we usually get 75 to 100 teams."

Skijoring was part of the carnival long ago, but disappeared after 1959, when races were held in downtown Whitefish.

"We've got quite a few teams coming from other states," Ping said, noting that 10 are coming from Colorado and five from Idaho.

"We're also trying to get locals involved," he said. "Our Novice Division was a lot of fun. We had 20 teams last year."

There are also Amateur and Pro divisions, with competitors vying for an overall prize purse of at least $8,000. The event has about two dozen local sponsors and is supported by vendors that provide food and beverages at the airport.

"It's been a great crowd pleaser," Ping said. "We're just taking off. But it's getting easier and easier to organize because we have more people doing it."

A board of six directors coordinates the event, but there are many others involved with running it. There are flaggers who make sure skiers are making the gates on the course and there are timers. "There's probably 50 of us that actually help put this on," Ping said.

The event features Calcutta betting after the first day of competition, with wagers placed on the teams expected to win on the second day of competition. Those who correctly pick the top three teams in their respective divisions split the pots.

PIng said there has been a big effort to recruit local competitors for the Novice Division. Skiers or horse owners who want to give it a try can contact Ping at 261-7464.

"Contestants needed," says a promotional poster for the event. "Need a rider or a skier? We'll find one."

Ping has a practice course on his property near Whitefish, and last Sunday, he had new recruits on the course.

"I bet we had 20 horses out here with a lot of people wanting to learn how to do it," PIng said.

Registration is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Great Northern Bar. Warmups start at 10 a.m. and competition gets under way at noon on Jan. 30 and 31.

More information on the event is available online at:

http://www.whitefishskijoring.com

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com