Skijoring is a competitive winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, or motor vehicle. It is derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring, meaning “ski driving.”
Skijor Skowhegan is an annual equestrian skijoring race at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds. Skiers and snowboarders are pulled by a horse and rider down a 1,000-foot track, navigating jumps and other features for the fastest time. It takes skill at both the skier and rider level to podium. At Skijor Skowhegan, there are both novice and professional divisions to create fair competition for those with different experience levels to try this unique sport.
I founded Skijor Skowhegan in 2019 when I worked at Main Street Skowhegan as part of their revitalization mission. I originally pitched the event as a tourism and economic driver for the region during a time of year when small towns across Maine struggle with low visitation and revenue, but I have loved skijoring since I first learned about it in Colorado back in 2009. Truthfully, my market research didn’t turn up much to prove my gut feeling that this would be a game-changer for the area. I grew up ski racing and horseback riding, and I had the insider knowledge that the audience was there for competitors and spectators.
That first race in 2019 was held at Eaton Mountain, one of many lost ski areas in Maine. They still had a groomer who maintained the tubing hill and built us the first track–a circular course with a handful of tiny jumps.
To my secret relief, we filled registrations, packed the parking lot and road with spectators, hand-timed the racers, and had a smashing hit of an event.
After that first race at Eaton Mountain, we knew we would need more space to accommodate a growing competitor base and spectator crowd. In 2020 we moved to the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds, and from there, it has continued to flourish and grow.
After I left Main Street Skowhegan, I continued to stay involved in the event I started and love, organizing race logistics, collaborating on track design, running registrations, pairing up competitors, finding sponsors, leading marketing efforts, and more. Main Street Skowhegan became a client when I was a full-time freelance marketer and now with my agency, MXH Marketing.
Skijor Skowhegan is a considerable undertaking, and planning starts in June for the following year. I only get a few months off before skijoring is on the brain again.
As a Skowhegan native, this event is doubly special for me. It is not just a fun, adrenaline-filled experience; it’s a spotlight of hope and pride for my town. It shines a little light on a seemingly podunk old mill town and brings visitors from all over New England to the area. In Skowhegan, visitor experiences are filled with local food, natural beauty, small shops, and an opportunity to witness Maine’s first and one of only two equestrian skijoring races on the East coast.
For weeks after, I heard from small businesses owners about what a spike they saw in their shops and restaurants over the weekend. I saw people sharing our social media far and wide. I watched Skowhegan’s reputation reflected across the news as a positive force in Maine as an outdoor recreational leader.
The crowd at Skijor Skowhegan has a uniquely energetic presence that adds to the thrill of the competition. Locals and visitors fill the stadium seats and fences with cameras in hand and excitedly watch the competition unfold. It is a sight I will never tire of.