Mushers, skijorers converge on Priest Lake for sled dog race

Mushers and malamutes from all over the Pacific Northwest and Canada will tackle the trails Feb. 7-8 at the Priest Lake Sled Dog Race near Nordman, Idaho.

Part of the Pacific Northwest Championships, the event consists of sled dog racing and skijoring, where two dogs pull a cross-country skier. For the first time in several years, the races will include the 8-Dog Mid-Distance class.

“It’s a different level of competition in a lot of ways,” said Brian Ferrante, first-year president of the Inland Empire Sled Dog Association, which hosts the event.

In addition to the reinstated 20-mile race, other races scheduled for the two-day event include the 6-Dog Mid-Distance (20 miles), 8-Dog Sprint (9 miles), 6-Dog Sprint (5.7 miles), 4-Dog Sprint (4.7 miles), 3-Dog Sprint (4.7 miles) and a Novice Sled Sprint (2.4 miles).

The 1-mile Teddy Bear race (14 and under, 1-2 dogs) and the Peewee race (8 and under) will run Saturday only.

The venue, which sets up base on the north end of the U.S. Forest Service airstrip near the Ravin Ranch Road-Highway 57 junction, will also host two skijoring events. The Advanced Skijoring race is 4.7 miles, and the Novice Skijoring route is 2.4 miles.

A purse of a minimum $1,500 will be up for grabs among the major classes. Mandatory driver meetings will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Day 1 and 8 a.m. on Day 2, with racing to begin shortly thereafter.

Incorporated in 1966, the IESDA promotes sled dog sporting by supporting events such as races, rallies and demonstrations. The Priest Lake race has been a part of Nordman for more than 40 years.

Competitors own and train a variety of dogs, including Alaskan Huskies, Eurohounds, Siberian Huskies, Seppala Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and more.

“It’s a fun and exciting atmosphere,” Ferrante said. “It’s really high energy during the start and a lot of fun during the finish. The dogs love to have people there.

“It’s a great opportunity to bring out the family to watch these people and their dogs do what they love to do.”