Blending Estes Park’s skiing heritage with its cowboy roots, the inaugural Estes Park Skijor is set for January 24-25, 2025 at the Estes Park Events Complex. This unique and exciting competition promises a weekend of adrenaline-pumping action, camaraderie and unforgettable memories–it even has a dedicated kids area indoors!
First off: What is Skijor?
Skijor is a unique competition where skiers are towed at high speeds by horse and rider teams, navigating through a challenging course with gates, jumps, and various obstacles. It’s an event that truly captures the rugged, adventurous spirit of the Rockies. The name is derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring, meaning “ski driving”. It is said to have originated as a mode of winter travel, however now it is primarily a competitive sport.
Why Estes Park?
Estes Park has a long-standing connection to skiing through Hidden Valley, once the town’s popular ski resort within Rocky Mountain National Park. For decades, Hidden Valley drew skiers from all over, making it a vibrant hub for winter sports until its closure. Today, the slopes at Hidden Valley are open for backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding, keeping the town’s skiing legacy alive. Hosting a skijoring event taps into Estes Park’s love for skiing and invites visitors to experience a fresh twist on winter sports.
Estes Park’s connection to horsemanship dates back to its early days as a ranching town and gateway to the Rocky Mountains. Horseback riding has long been a cherished tradition here, from guiding tourists on trail rides to hosting rodeo events that showcase the skill and strength of horse and rider. The town even celebrates this heritage each July with the Rooftop Rodeo, attracting riders and spectators alike. Skijoring is a natural fit, combining the thrill of skiing with the skill of horsemanship, bridging Estes Park’s history with its adventurous present.
Winter in Estes Park is the best time to visit! The snowcapped Rockies make a beautiful backdrop for our race and the lack of a traditional ski resort makes January an affordable month for a weekend getaway. Here are 9 reasons to visit Estes Park this winter.
What Happens at Skijor?
During Skijor Weekend from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., you can expect not just thrilling races but also experiences for participants and spectators. With cash rewards and prizes at stake, competitors give their all, ensuring a high-energy atmosphere that’s hard to match. Inside the Event Center the Estes Park Mountain Shop is hosting the Warming Hut Expo. With the event streaming on the big screen you can escape the cold to enjoy lunch from food truck row alongside an Estes Park craft brew. Kids will have plenty to keep them entertained in the kids activity area with a strider course, mini golf, coloring stations and more. The Expo have local vendors selling their wares along with a pop up EP Mountain Shop you won’t want to miss!
What’s the prep like for the horse, rider and skier?
The Open field class are true professional athletes who train year round to compete at Skijor races all winter.
The horse needs to be calm, responsive, and comfortable with the sounds and movements of a skier being pulled behind it. Training often begins with groundwork exercises that teach the horse to ignore distractions and stay focused. Next, the horse learns to tolerate the presence of ropes and skiers moving around and behind them. A great way to get them comfortable is by practicing with a dummy skier or sled, gradually adding more speed until they’re accustomed to the feel and sounds associated with pulling.
For the rider, balance, control, and strong communication with the horse are key. The rider undergoes additional riding drills focused on refining steering skills and maintaining a hard pace.
To prepare, skiers often practice their balance, quick directional changes, and jumps to stay in control while tethered to a horse. They need to be comfortable using hand grips and working with ropes, as they’ll rely on both to maneuver. Some skiers prepare by training in ski parks or with other motorized pulls, like snowmobiles, to simulate the speed and resistance they’ll experience in skijoring.
Once each individual is comfortable, they begin training together. Regular practice builds synergy, allowing horse, rider, and skier to communicate with subtle cues and establish a flow that keeps them synchronized throughout the run.
An Event You Don’t Want to Miss
Don’t miss out on being a part of this exhilarating new tradition and experiencing all that Estes Park has to offer this winter. Grab your tickets now and prepare for an amazing start to the new year.
