Shriners cancel Skijoring event

Jackson Hole Shriners have decided to cancel the 6th annual Jackson Hole Skijoring event, scheduled February 10-11 at the Snake River Ranch.

The group concluded that in spite of excellent conditions at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, lower valley snow pack and warm temperatures made it impossible to build a safe course.

Skijoring is a crossbred sport in which a single skier is pulled behind a horse and rider at top speed, navigating a course of slalom and jumps. Unsafe conditions could lead to injuries for skier, rider, and horse.

“Safety for both our two-legged and four-legged athletes is our singular priority in Skijoring,” says JHMR Business Development Director Bill Lewkowitz. “As much as we love the Shriners and this seminal Jackson event, we saw no way through to ensure the proper safety conditions to support this year’s Skijoring event”.

The event was canceled last year as well, after a severe storm brought high winds that downed a number of power poles on the skijoring course.