Just because there may be snow on the ground and the temperature can be anywhere from the 40s to subzero doesn’t mean that the fun and excitement stops in Red River. In fact, for those lovers of snow sports and roaring blazes in the fireplace of a cozy cabin, winter in Red River is a major life experience and a celebration of living.
The Alpine ski season begins on the day BEFORE Thanksgiving, as the Red River Ski & Summer Area turns on the lifts and opens the trails. Christmas is a magical time in the winter wonderland and Red River has an award-winning Mardi Gras in the Mountains celebration.
January is Winter Carnival time, with competitive snowmobile hill climbing and a dramatic new pulse-pounding event called “Skijoring.”
The name is derived from the Norwegian word “skikjøring” which means ski driving. The practice of being pulled by a horse, dog or reindeer may be as old as snow itself, but historians believe that the first races were held in Scandinavia. Different forms of this sport are found around the world in countries with snowy winter climates.
The first Red River Skijoring event was held January 15-17, 2015 and was a smash success, gathering press and electronic media attention on a grand New Mexico scale. You can even see it in a national TV commercial for PB&J. The event was organized by Dally Up Events, a new Red River company. The races kicked off the 2016 season for the Skijor America’s Cup and drew the top national and regional competitors in the field. The event introduced the sport to a new group of local and regional racers.
What Is Skijoring? Equine skijoring refers to being pulled on skis by a horse. While skijoring spans back centuries in Europe, it found its start in our region in the 1940s when WWII vets in the Leadville, Colorado, area tied ropes to horses to tow skiers in place of ski lifts. It wasn’t long before it turned into a competitive sport.
The competitive event involves skiers being timed on a race course, which consists of navigating a number of jumps and obstacles. Many skijoring events include open class and sport class for both skiers and snowboarders. Each event venue has its own personality and flair that reflects the local culture, while still meeting strict safety guidelines. Courses can be straight, round, or u-shaped, and the course to navigate can vary. Some venues add a novice class, kid races, long jumps, shovel races, and other activities. The best and most popular skijoring events take place “in town” on a straight course.