Leadville Skijoring returned to Harrison Street this year, packing the asphalt with snow and the sidewalk with eager spectators.
Robiny Jamerson (front) and Reid Grinspoon (left) eagerly watch as their friend tries skijoring for the first time, towed by a snowmobile. Photo by Hannah Harn.
With fans watching from storefronts, restaurant balconies, tailgates, and even lampposts, dozens of skiers and riders took to the streets for the event’s 74th anniversary. Competitors wore everything from fur chaps and western wear to jeans and t-shirts, with one even taking to the course on a snowboard rather than the usual skis.
First-time skijorers are required to run the course towed by a snowmobile before getting behind a horse, and the snowmobile division featured a number of folks taking to skijoring for the first time.
Reid Grinspoon, who was in the area on vacation, came to watch a friend skijor for the first time. On Friday, he figured it would be fun to see his friends tackle a new sport, but the day of, he was a bit warier.
A skijorer tears through blue gates as they maneuver the Harrison Street course in Leadville on March 6. Photo by Hannah Harn.
“This morning while watching it, I thought, ‘They’ve made a terrible mistake,’” he laughed. “But they did a great job and no one got hurt. I would have to say they out-performed my expectations!”
Between blazing through gates, grabbing the bright orange rings along the course, and flying off sculpted jump ramps, skijorers have a lot to think about as they tear down the road. Missed gates and dropped rings can result in time penalties as they vie for the fastest runs, while lost skis, wipeouts, and dropped towropes can mean failed runs.
One skier, however, did complete his run on a single ski after losing the other after a rough landing. The crowd joined the emotional roller coaster of an expected wipeout followed by elation as they finished out their run successfully.
A skier gets some serious air at Leadville Skijoring on March 6. Photo by Hannah Harn.
Spectators also lovingly cheered for each skier as they were ferried up to the top of the street on ATVs or regained their footing after a rough wipeout.
“I’ve never heard them cheer like that,” observed one spectator as he walked into a coffee shop. “It’s such a different energy.”
Skiers were also invited to return and ski again on Sunday, March 6. More information on Leadville Skijoring can be found at https://www.leadvilleskijoring.us/.
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- Horse, rider, and skier all gear up for a blazing run at Leadville Skijoring on March 6. Photo by Hannah Harn
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- Decked in blue plaid, a skier in the Sport division tackles the last jump in the course before finishing their run in Leadville on Saturday, March 14. Photo by Hannah Harn.
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- Robiny Jamerson (front) and Reid Grinspoon (left) eagerly watch as their friend tries skijoring for the first time, towed by a snowmobile. Photo by Hannah Harn.
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- A competitor in Leadville Skijoring’s Sport division tightens his grip on the towrope as he starts his run on March 6. Photo by Hannah Harn.
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- Leadville Skijoring’s open division kicks off the day on Harrison Street on March 6. A competitor leans into a turn behind his horse and rider team. Photo by Hannah Harn.
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- A skier gets some serious air at Leadville Skijoring on March 6. Photo by Hannah Harn.
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- A horse and skijorer tear down Harrison Street at the 74th annual Leadville Skijoring event on March 6, 2022, cheered on by hundreds of spectators. Photo by Hannah Harn.
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- Spectators line Harrison Street for Leadville Skijoring on March 6, 2022, cheering on dozens of skiers, riders, and horses in the Open, Sport, and Snowmobile divisions. Photo by Hannah Harn.
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- A skijorer flies just beneath the traffic lights on Harrison Street in Leadville on March 6 while spectators watch and cheer. Photo by Hannah Harn.
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- A skier holds his orange rings close as he prepares to land his jump. Photo by Hannah Harn.
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- A skijorer blazes through blue gates as they maneuver the Harrison Street course in Leadville on March 6. Photo by Hannah Harn.
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- Orange rings in hand, a Sport division particpant sprays snow behind him as he curves down the course. Photo by Hannah Harn.
