Annual Snowmobile Climb canceled

The 40th Annual World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb at Snow King Resort has been canceled for the end of March.

The annual hill climb has been a highlight event for snow machine riders and enthusiasts,to mark the end of the ski season. The tradition was started by the Jackson Hole Snow Devils in 1975.

“The Snow King Hill Climb is a world-class event that we are happy to host on the National Forest. This is an extremely difficult decision that was made collectively with the Snow Devils, Snow King, the Town of Jackson, and the Chamber of Commerce after considering exiting ground and snow, and forecast weather conditions,” saidRanger Dale Deiter with the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

“Frankly, it is a kick in the gut to reach a conclusion to cancel an event that provides so many benefits to the community and charities that receive donations from the funds raised, but in the the final analysis it is the right thing to do to maintain the integrity of the event, to assure rider safety, and protect the mountain. We look forward to resuming the event next year,” said Deiter.

TheNational Weather Service in Riverton says this winter has been the third warmest winter on record in Wyoming.