“Thrills and Chills: The Heart-Pounding Art of Skijoring”

Skijoring is an activity that appears distinctively tied to the Mountain West. It merges skiing with rodeo, showcasing the cultural and athletic intersections of both.

These aspects were evident recently in Ridgway, Colorado, as San Juan Skijoring hosted its 9th annual skijoring event. The three-day gathering unites skiers, snowboarders, and equestrians from across the region.

For those unfamiliar with it, skijoring is a competitive race. A horse and rider secure a lengthy rope to the rear of their saddle, with a skier or snowboarder gripping tight to the end of that rope while the horse gallops as fast as possible down the track.

The Ridgway track features a half-lap around the Ouray County Fairgrounds horse racing circuit. It is not level; it is filled with jumps, banked curves, and tabletop structures crafted from snow that enhance the experience for skiers and snowboarders.

Participants also must zigzag around ground markers, staying to the right of red poles and to the left of blue poles.

Imagine slalom water skiing behind a sprinting horse, with jumps allowing skiers to leap high enough to soar over a truck. One vehicle manufacturer sponsoring the event placed a truck between two jumps on the track.

I attended the initial heat of the “open” division on one of two afternoons when leading riders vied for a cash prize. It was a chilly Saturday afternoon, with temperatures around the low teens and consistent snowfall.

A handful of skiers congregated at the starting area, and I initiated a conversation with several of them.

AJ Pastello from Kremmling, Colorado, has engaged in skijoring for approximately eight years.

“I witnessed it when I was a child and promised I would never attend another one unless I was competing,” he clarified. “I enjoy skiing, and it has been a great deal of fun. I’ve also raced horses, so I appreciate both aspects.”

I inquired of Pastello whether it requires a “wicked fast horse” to excel in skijoring.

“Some courses demand it more than others,” he mentioned. “I believe this one will necessitate more involvement from the skier than simply relying on the fastest horse.”

According to Hayden Lapointe of Minturn, managing the rope is essential to being an adept skier.

“Controlling that slack,” he explained. “Ensuring you maintain a taut line so you’re not yanked out of your boots, you know?”

Indeed, that is a possibility. Lapointe possesses the battle scars to validate it.

“I’ve fractured four ribs — cracked them,” he stated rather nonchalantly. “Aside from that, no significant injuries. I’ve had some really impressive falls, but never any serious harm.”

Skijoring is far more akin to rodeo than downhill skiing, and the risks are just as prevalent as in rodeo activities. In just one afternoon, I witnessed three riders being thrown off their horses in the starting area.

At one moment, a horse lost its balance in the snow and fell onto its side; the rider rolled off, and the horse, rising quicker than the rider, stepped on him as it tried to stand. The rider promptly fixed his hat and re-mounted the horse.

I doubt it was his first rodeo.

Moments later, the horse, rider, and skier sped down the track, but the rider’s shirt had a significant tear where the horse had stepped on it.

Skijoring is not suitable for the timid, but boy, is it entertaining to observe.

Skijoring events are held in Pagosa Springs, Estes Park, Craig, Steamboat Springs, Silverton, Leadville, Grand Lake, and various other sites throughout the Mountain West.

Visit Skijor USA for the complete schedule.

Copyright 2025 KVNF – Mountain Grown Community Radio

This narrative was disseminated via Rocky Mountain Community Radio, a collective of public media stations in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico, including Aspen Public Radio.