Industry News
The organizers of the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge announced today they are cancelling the 2024 ceremonial start, 100-mile race, and 300-mile race. However, the Warm Lake Stage Race from January 24-25 is still a go.
Organizers had been closely monitoring trail conditions the past several weeks and with recent snowfall decided on January 15 the races were a go. However, race organizers decided to rescind that decision today.
“Trail conditions have rapidly deteriorated over the last several days with above-freezing temperatures and rain,” race founder and organizer Jerry Wortley said. “According to weather forecasts, conditions will continue to get worse, making the trails unsafe for the dogs and their mushers.”
The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is part of the Rocky Mountain Triple Crown, which also includes the Eagle Cap Extreme near Joseph, Oregon, and the Race to the Sky near Lincoln, Montana. The former was cancelled several weeks ago due to lack of snow, and organizers of the latter race announced its cancellation last night.
Tickets are still available for the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge’s two VIP trip raffles to the 2024 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska where Anchorage is enjoying record snowfall this winter. Only 500 raffle tickets for two trips are available and cost $100. With only 91 raffle tickets sold as of press time, Wortley said the odds of winning are currently better than 1 in 50.
The five-day guided packages are worth $20,000 each. Two winning ticket holders and their choices of one guest each will experience what Wortley — an Iditarod Air Force pilot — bills as the adventure of a lifetime February 29 – March 5, 2024. He said they will fly out on the Iditarod Trail, visit checkpoints, see the canine athletes in their element, take in Alaska’s beauty and culture, and experience the vast untamed wilderness of the last frontier. Visit https://go.eventgroovefundraising.com/iditarodtourpackage/Campaign/Details to purchase a raffle ticket.
The winning tickets will be drawn February 1, 2024, at 2 p.m. MST. All proceeds benefit the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit (Idaho Charitable Gaming License 23-R-5411-R). Please visit idahosleddogchallenge.com for more information.
