Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!
Feb 4, 2025, 2:28 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2025, 2:16 pm
Photo: Adobe Stock
This article about Skijoring the Bear is sponsored by the Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. This year’s event takes place on February 21-22, 2025.
Introduction
Skijoring is growing in popularity as a winter sport that combines skiing and horseback riding. In Bear Lake, it’s a familiar sport as “Skijoring the Bear” gets ready to host its 4th annual event.
What is Skijoring?
As a relatively novel winter sport, it’s not surprising that most people are new to the joys of skijoring. The sport has only been featured in the Winter Olympics once, in 1928. However, there is a slight possibility it could be a category in future games.
The sport works by a skier towed behind by a horse, dog, or motor vehicle–though most commonly, a horse will tow the skier. Skiers have four minutes to wind through an obstacle course of jumps and gates, and the fastest one across the finish line wins!
The sport originated in Norway and comes from the Norwegian word skikjøring, which means “ski driving.”
Related reading
Looking for a new winter activity? Try skijoring in Bear Lake
Skijoring the Bear event details
“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah. Contestants sign up at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, and the races start at 10 a.m. The Top 10 contestants of each category will continue to Saturday’s event, where they will compete for buckles, cash, and other prizes.
There is a small fee of $100 for a team and $25 for the Lil’ Buckaroos to participate in the event, but spectators can attend for free. Contestants can also come with a team or draw a partner at the time, so singles are encouraged to join!
The categories this year include:
- Open
- Novice
- Rookie
- Snowboard
- Century
- Lil’ Buckaroo
For questions regarding the competition, please visit the website for details.
Why you should attend
Since spectators can attend for free, this is your perfect chance to attend a new event and witness something you may not have seen before. Attending is especially exciting as the sport rises in popularity. Plus, the beautiful scenery of Bear Lake and the surrounding valley provides a tranquil setting to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Tips for participants and spectators
For those who will be watching the event, pack extra layers for warmth and bring your cameras, cowbells, or other noisemaking devices to cheer contestants on!
Pack a helmet, eyewear, and protective vest if you plan on competing, which event organizers recommend for your safety to participate. Read all of the rules and regulations here.
Conclusion
For more information about the event, visit Bear Lake’s website or contact the event organizers directly with questions. Good luck to the contestants!
This is a sponsored article brought to you by KSL NewsRadio in conjunction with the advertiser. The advertiser paid a fee to promote this article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of KSL NewsRadio, its parent company, or its staff.
