Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 32 DON'T HAVE A HORSE? USE YOUR DOG! Looking for the thrill of getting pulled across the snow on skis, without going over 20 miles per hour over jumps behind an 800-pound animal? Skijoring with a dog might be for you. This is a simpler version of the sport, which can be thought of as combining dogsledding and horse-drawn skijoring. Skijoring with a dog can be done with one to three dogs, and simply requires a pair of Nordic skis and a sport-specific pulling belt and harness. There are many online resources and local groups and clubs to help get you started—you don't even need a special breed of dog. As long as your dog weighs over 35 pounds, loves to run, and is fully developed, it could be a good candidate. Making sure your dog is fully developed will help prevent undue strain and injury as you train them to pull. Huskies, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Golden Retrievers are all popular breeds seen at dog skijoring events. Adequate training, starting with short runs, and aiding the dog in pulling are all safe ways to start, and can add a fun new adventurous way to get outside with dogs and skis—two Montana staples. For more information and Montana events, check out montanamountainmushers.com. beginning the 1960s, and after being reinstated in 2003, it has become a staple of this annual festival. Each year, between 60-80 teams from all around the Northern Rockies turn out for this event. Com- petitors enter into Open, Amateur, and Novice categories, with a costume category rounding out the playful aspect of the sport. "ere's no qualifying races to enter," says Ron Behrendt, who has been volunteering for the event for over a decade. "ey just show up with a check." Interested in compet- ing? Get the details for upcoming events at whitefishskijoring.com. e Red Lodge Skijoring Association has been hosting the National Finals since 1980. is com- petition takes place in March at the Home of Champions Rodeo Grounds. Two days of races across multiple competition categories are supplemented with family-friendly activities and celebratory events in town. Red Lodge constructs a 700-foot course with over 20 slalom gates and four thrilling jumps, with competitors entering Open, Sport, and Novice categories. Last year, Red Lodge had over 140 teams entered—the biggest race in their history. Most prior years have brought in around 100 teams, making 2019 a significant increase. Competitors arrived from all parts of Montana as well as Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and parts of Canada. Like White- fish, no qualification is necessary and Red Lodge prides itself on having a division for everyone. Kristen Beck is one of the head organizers at Red Lodge, along with Monica Plecker. e pair took over three years ago and run the event with a crew of dedicated volunteers. "Our name is the 'National Finals' because we have historically been the last race on the circuit," explains Beck. "Now that we are an official sanctioned race with Skijoring America we are the last race that you can com- pete and score points for the National title." e Red Lodge event takes place each year over the second weekend in March. Stay up-to-date at redlodgeskijoring.com. Other events throughout the winter include competitions and multi-day events in Lincoln, Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell, and Wisdom. Despite the highly specialized nature of the sport and necessary equipment (fast horse, anyone?) skijoring is becoming more popular each year. is winter, head to Whitefish or Red Lodge for multiple days of thrilling races with incredible human and equine athletes, good company, rollicking afterparties, and experience one of the most unique athletic events in the world. A skier is towed on a rope behind the horse, SWERVING AROUND SLALOM GATES AT BREAKNECK SPEEDS AND OVER JUMPS CREATED FROM MAMMOTH PILES OF SNOW. PAM BECKSTROM ELORA AKINS

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