CASCADE, Idaho — The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is expected to mush forward with race plans despite nearby cancelations due to unseasonably low snowfall totals.
"Sled dog racing is a challenging sport often run in extreme weather conditions, but the absence of weather this winter has been an even greater challenge," said Jerry Wortley, the founder and organizer of the race.
The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge (ISDC) is part of the Rocky Mountain Triple Crown, which includes Race to the Sky in Lincoln, Mont. and Eagle Cap Extreme near Joseph, Ore. However, the Oregon race was canceled for 2024 due to the lack of snow.
"Although we are experiencing record low snow levels, trail conditions in Valley and Adams counties for the 2024 Idaho Sled Dog Challenge currently appear adequate to run the race, potentially with some modifications to the routes," Wortley said.
According to a statement issued by race organizers, race checkpoints were evaluated during the first week of January by ISDC team members, who approved that the race proceed as originally planned.
Although the 2023-2024 winter season has produced less snowfall than usual by the start of the new year, analysts predict a sufficient amount of snow, and low enough temperatures will accompany the significant winter storm forecasted for Tuesday.
KTVB's team of meteorologists predict areas above 6,000 feet in the West Central Mountains could accumulate upwards of 30 inches with the predicted storm the week of Jan. 8 alone. The prediction does not include other storms expected to follow in the area.
After the mid-week storm system moves through, News Channel 7's team of meteorologists anticipate several more rounds of wintry weather, bringing periods of snow into the third week of January.
Some weather models are showing cold polar air moving into the region, which could potentially bring sub-zero temperatures in valley locations.
The 300-mile and 100-mile races start at the Lake Cascade Boat Ramp. Mushers then cross the ice and traverse the West Central Mountains.
"Of course, the safety of our mushers, their teams, and our volunteers is our top priority and we are monitoring conditions closely with that in mind," Wortley said. "While trail conditions are not ideal, they continue improving -- especially with the current snowfall -- and we feel extremely positive trail conditions will steadily improve between now and race time at the end of the month."
Wortley said race organizers are meeting with local snowmobile clubs and Valley County groomers on Thursday, Jan. 11, for a comprehensive trail report. The report will determine if Idaho Sled Dog Challenge organizers need to reroute any portions of the trail.
Wortley said the ISDC board of directors is expected to make a decision by Monday, Jan. 15.
Follow the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge Facebook page for updates.
2024 is the sixth year for the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge. However, it is the first year the race is operating independent of the annual McCall Winter Carnival.
According to ISDC, the sled dog race is "one of the most grueling mushing competitions on the planet due to its topography." The race is the only 300-mile Yukon Quest qualifier in the lower 48 states.
"Mushers will tell you this is a very, very atypical race. Our elevation change is 36,000 feet, which is greater than the Iditarod," said Dave Looney, Idaho Sled Dog Challenge co-founder and trail coordinator.
Looney added the challenge is often called "a 500-mile race packed into 300 miles."
"So, the dog care and the pacing and the attention they have to pay to the terrain is really important, because there's a lot of up and down," Looney said. "One musher said the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is like climbing Mt. Everest -- twice."
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