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Ski Joring during Sandpoint Winter Carnival: Sandpoint Blog

By Gary Lirette

Services for Real Estate Pros

December 08, 2010 03:11 PM

I had a conversation with Matt Smart from Mountain Horse Adventures last Thursday on my show: Speak Up North Idaho, broadcast on KSPT and KBFI in North Idaho.

Guess you will be the first to read that now, in addition to hosting North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts & Adventure, I took over the reigns of my third show this week.

Matt talked about a new event for our area, taking place during Sandpoint Winter Carnival January 15 and 16, 2011. The way Matt calls it 1 Horse, 1 Skier, 1 Rope. What is it? Ski Joring. Also known in Scandinavia as Skijoering, it is simply a skier being pulled by either a dog or a horse, and racing is common.

Wikipedia states that skikjøring also can be done with a motor vehicle, but I don't buy it. Skijoring was featured in the 1998 film Silver Wolf, starring Michael Biehn and Roy Scheider.

Call (208) 263-8768 for more info about our North Idaho Ski Joring event and the other offerings by Mountain Home Adventures. Anyway, here is the skinny on the event:

Skijoring Registration • 6 p.m. until the cows come home, Eichardt's Pub, 212 Cedar St.

Come down to Eichardt's Pub for food, beverage and team registration for the new Skijoring event. Don't have a team partner? Need a horse or skier? Sign up for team pairings as we raffle off some cool stuff!

Skijoring

Saturday · 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bonner County Fairgrounds

Mountain Horse Adventures host this event as skiers try their luck as they are pulled by horses at a high speed through a course that includes jumps and gates a 600-ft. track. Best times for the day receive a cash prize. Open to anyone with a fast horse or a set of skis and a willingness to give this extreme sport a try. Be part of this first-year event! Register at the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, Third and Main, or call 208-263-8768 for more information.

Sunday · 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bonner County Fairgrounds

Skijoring continues as participants try to combine thier two-day times for the big money. Also featured in the afternoon is the Style division, where skiers and snowboarders try out thier best jump, jib or trick while being pulled by their horse.

Ski Joring

Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts.

Gary Lirette