After a full introduction to Skijoring at a sports show in Las Vegas, Visit Estes Park Directors Nick Smith and Sean Jurgens were hooked on the idea that Estes Park would be the perfect location for a prominent and professional SkiJor event on January 25 and 26, 2025.
After all, Steamboat Springs is known for putting kids and cowboys on skis and having horses pull them through the main street as part of that town’s annual Winter Carnival in February. Leadville’s been hosting racing on a pair of skis pulled by a horse on the first full weekend in March since 1949.
All they needed was someone skilled in events organization, community support and financing.
They knew local Kevin Benes, owner of Running Wild Events, an events production firm specializing in endurance sports. Benes had produced events for RaceColorado and now provides services for more than 100 other events through Running Wild Events which he co-owns with Austin Gardner. As a former Visit Estes Park employee and Rooftop Rodeo volunteer, VEP was confident he had the experience necessary to create a sanctioned event. He agreed to organize the event.
Smith and Jurgens began canvassing businesses throughout town, drumming up support for the concept. Nearly 50 Estes Park businesses have publicly endorsed the concept with another 18 out-of-the-area companies and individuals lending their support.
Although the dates chosen for the Skijor at the fairgrounds coincide with the last two days of the National Western Stock Show, Benes is confident cowboy competitors will be available for the competition. The final rodeo performance in Denver is scheduled for January 21.
On Thursday, June 27, Visit Estes Park voted unanimously to guarantee the financial support the event needs to go forward for at least the first of a three-year plan to financial stability to the tune of $93,000 plus an estimated $30,000 in marketing expenditures per year.
If the first year proves to be promising for future years, the implication was that another two years of start-up funding would be forthcoming. Smith and Jurgens had filed official notices of conflict of interest with the state of Colorado prior to the board meeting and abstained from voting on the motion.
The largest proportion of expenses allocated for the event – $47,000 – is budgeted for prizes, administrative fees, insurance, snowmaking rental, course materials, signage, branding, and venue rental for the events complex. Additionally, $20,000 will be set aside for prize money and $26,000 will be used to pay the scoring team, announcer, the track builder, and the snow team.
Daily ticket prices for the event are $15; a weekend pass is $25. Children under the age of 8 will be admitted for free and do not need tickets.
In addition to the presenting Skijor, organizers will be looking to businesses throughout town to plan auxiliary events and activities that will entice attendees to stay overnight for the second day of competition. The Stanley Hotel has committed to sponsor a kick-off dance on Friday, January 24.
Just wondering where the “snow team” will have to go to find the snow for this event? And will there be any left over to use for the coffin races for “Frozen dead Guy days”?