Whitefish Winter Carnival - Skijoring big part of festivities
The 10th annual World Skijoring Championships will be staged in Whitefish the weekend of Jan. 25-27 as a signature event of the Winter Carnival.
The spectator-friendly event will feature a combination of horses, (and mules), riders and skiers mixed with speed and snow as competitors vie for an estimated purse of more than $20,000. Last year’s skijoring event drew more than 3,000 spectators.
Modern skijoring involves a horse and rider pulling a skier around a horseshoe-shaped 700-foot-long course at high speeds, with the skier required to navigate over jumps and around slalom gates.
In addition, at the end of competition each day, the Murdoch’s Long Jump combines a team of horse, rider and skier who can land a straightaway jump for the longest distance. Last year’s winner, Brady Smedsrud of Bozeman, flew 52 feet and stuck the landing.
The competition takes place at the Whitefish Municipal Airport grounds with opening ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, featuring Whitefish Winter Carnival royalty. Skijoring events start at noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Concessions and beer will be available.
There is no charge for spectating, but a $5 per vehicle onsite parking fee is charged, with proceeds donated to the nonprofit Human Therapy on Horseback.
The public is invited to the evening events as well. The registration party will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the Black Star Draught House at Great Northern Brewery in downtown Whitefish.
On Saturday, the public can get into the big money competition at the Calcutta, overseen by professional rodeo announcer Joe Warner, who auctions off all the teams based on Sunday’s results, with an 80 percent payback to those winning the bidding. The Calcutta starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at Casey’s Bar and Grill.
The awards party will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, at the Craggy Range in downtown Whitefish, featuring musician and songwriter John Dunnigan. For more information, visit whitefishskijoring.com.