By Ruthanne Johnson
Come get your doggy fix at the Second Annual Woof Creek Dog Sled & Skijor, slated for Valentine’s Day weekend in South Fork, Colorado. This year’s four-legged athletic competition is ISDA sanctioned and could have 20 or more sled dog and skijor teams battling it out for cash prizes on a picturesque snow track at the Rio Grande Club & Resort. The competitions run from 9am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, February 15 and 16.
This year’s competition is being organized by the Friends of South Fork, Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club (RMSDC) and Rio Grande Club & Resort. The races include four and six sled-dog teams that will run from four to six miles and include two participation levels — seasoned and recreational mushers. The skijor races will have cross country skiers being pulled by either one or two pooches.
Though Siberian Huskies are traditionally used in dog sledding, Woof Creek spectators could see everything from hounds and Rottweilers to pointers, poodles and boxers. Racing is typically weight related, said RMSDC race organizer Mike Sullivan, with the variance between 30- to 70-pound dogs. “But, really, any dog who likes to pull and run can be used.”
In addition to sled dog and skijor races, there will be fun indoor activities as well as free coffee, cocoa and snacks in the Rio Grande Club & Resort’s clubhouse. On Saturday, the club’s chef will cook up a warming, chili lunch using his award-winning recipe. Saturday evening, there will be a Musher’s Dinner & Dance with music from the popular Saguache-based band, the Roadrunners.
The races continue on Sunday form 9am to 2pm The Rio Grande Club’s Big River Grille & Timbers Restaurant will be open for food service from 10am – 3pm. The event closes Sunday afternoon with the Woof Creek Awards Ceremony at 3pm in the Big River Grill.
In the event snow does not permit the race route on the Rio Grande Club’s property, the races will move to the Willow Creek trail by Tiny Timbers Resort at 28422 Hwy 160 in South Fork. If the races are moved, the Rio Grande Club will cancel Saturday’s daytime events such as the indoor activities and chili lunch. The Musher’s Dinner & Dance and the Sunday Brunch and Woof Creek Awards Ceremony will remain as scheduled.
Woof Creek Sled Dog & Skijor Race Schedule at the Rio Grande Club & Resort (Please note that the race route may be relocated to Willow Creek adjacent to Tiny Timbers, depending on snow conditions):
Friday, February 14
6 – 8pm: “Meet the Mushers”” Buffet Dinner at Mountain Pizza, $15 per person. Call 719-873-9801 for RSVP
Saturday, February 15
9am – 2pm: Sled Dog & Skijor races
11am – 1pm: Big River Grille, award-winning chili lunch at the Rio Grande Club and indoor activities (NOTE: the Rio Grande Club will not hold these events if the race route is relocated to Tiny Timbers Resort)
6 – 9pm: Musher’s Dinner & Dance with music from the Roadrunners, $20 per person. Call 719-873-1995 to RSVP
Sunday, February 16
9am – 2 pm: Sled Dog & Skijor races
10am – 1pm: Musher’s Brunch at Timber’s Restaurant & Big River Grille
3 – 4pm: Woof Creek Awards Ceremony in the Big River Grille