Local guide from The Big Mack
Leadville Ski Joring 2027: March 6–7 Dates, Schedule, Where to Watch and Lodging Tips
Leadville Ski Joring's 79th annual event is set for March 6–7, 2027, on Harrison Avenue, and it's free to watch. Here is what skijoring is, the daily schedule, the no-dogs and no-drones rules, parking and why to book lodging early.
Leadville Ski Joring 2027 is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 6–7, 2027, the event's 79th annual running, on Historic Harrison Avenue in downtown Leadville. It is free for spectators. Horses and riders tow skiers at speed through a course of gates, jumps and rings on a snow-packed main street. Organizers say more than 25,000 spectators come each weekend to a town of about 2,500, so lodging and parking are the real planning challenges.
Quick answer: Leadville Ski Joring 2027
- Dates: March 6–7, 2027 (Saturday and Sunday), per the official event site. The 2026 event ran March 7–8.
- Where: Harrison Avenue, downtown Leadville, at about 10,200 feet.
- Cost to watch: free.
- Divisions: open, sport and novice; organizers say there is no snowmobile division this year. A kids' event runs Saturday.
- Not allowed: dogs, including service animals, and drones.
- Parking: no dedicated lot. Spectators park on surrounding streets and walk.
What is ski joring?
In skijoring, a horse and rider pull a skier through a timed course with gates, jumps and rings. Penalties are added for missing gates or jumps and for missing or dropping the baton or any of the rings. Leadville's organizers call their event the birthplace of the modern skijoring competition. They describe the version seen here as far faster than the slower-paced original, with competitors racing for cash prizes and a coveted belt buckle and jacket. Teams of horse, rider and skier are made up by a random draw before the start.
The event's own history dates it to 1949. Two friends, Tom Schroeder and "Mugs" Ossman, were looking for something new to add to Leadville's winter festivities. They saw skijoring at the Steamboat Springs winter carnival and decided it was far too slow. Ossman raised quarter horses for speed, and after a trial run in deep snow at his ranch north of town, Leadville's version was born.
Leadville Ski Joring schedule (Saturday and Sunday)
The official visitor page lists the same daily run of events for both days:
- Pancake breakfast, 8 to 11:30 a.m., in the basement of the Elks Lodge at 123 W. 5th St.
- Team auction, where teams are auctioned to the highest bidder. All are welcome.
- Flag ceremony.
- Open division: the biggest jumps and fastest horses, on the orange course.
- Sport division: the largest division, on the blue course.
- Novice division: for newer competitors, on the blue course.
- Kids' event, Saturday only: kids are pulled behind snowmobiles.
- Awards ceremony at the Elks Lodge, honoring the fastest teams of each day and the weekend.
Check the visitor information page close to the event for exact start times, since schedules can shift with weather and entries. Competitor registration is in person only, with no online sign-up.
Where to watch on Harrison Avenue
The course runs down Historic Harrison Avenue through the heart of downtown, so the whole street is the grandstand. A few tips:
- Arrive early for a spot along the course, especially on Saturday.
- Follow instructions from course staff and stay behind barriers. Horses are fast and can be unpredictable.
- Leadville's restaurants, bars and shops line the course, so it is easy to warm up between runs. Organizers ask visitors to support local businesses and respect residents.
- Official broadcasts are linked only from the event's own website and social media; organizers warn that other streams are scams.
Dogs, drones and weather
The no-dogs policy is strict. The event bans dogs, including service animals, anywhere horses are present, and says it has zero tolerance. Leave dogs at your lodging, and contact the organizers ahead of time if you need a specific accommodation. Drones are strictly banned because they can spook horses and endanger competitors and spectators.
At 10,200 feet in early March, weather swings quickly. The organizers recommend layers, sunscreen, water, jackets and comfortable shoes. Sun reflecting off snow is intense at this altitude, so add sunglasses.
Parking and getting to Leadville
There is no dedicated parking for the event. Spectators use surrounding streets, and the organizers' map shows about a 10-minute walk to the course. Respect driveways, fire hydrants and rights-of-way, and arrive early. Leadville has no rideshare services like Uber and only limited public transportation from Denver, so most visitors drive. Check COtrip for U.S. 24 conditions before you leave. From Twin Lakes, Leadville is roughly 20–30 minutes north in good conditions.
Crowds and lodging: book early
The event's visitor page is blunt: skijoring draws thousands of visitors, and Leadville has limited lodging. If Lake County is full, organizers suggest looking at Copper Mountain, Summit County and Buena Vista, in that order from closest to farthest. That's a strong case for booking a Lake County house early, especially for a group that wants to stay together for both days; see our where to stay in Leadville guide for the lodging options across the county.
Make a weekend of it
Build a long weekend around the races. The event runs Saturday and Sunday, and the next weekend, March 13, is the start of Ski Cooper's holiday and spring break pricing window, which runs through March 26, 2027. Plan a Friday or Monday on the snow at Cooper; our Ski Cooper day planning guide has prices and lesson details. If your group wants more snow time that weekend, see our guide to snowmobiling near Leadville. Between runs, explore Leadville's historic core with our downtown Leadville and Tabor Opera House guide. For more ideas, see things to do in Twin Lakes and Leadville, or save Leadville Boom Days for a summer trip once the snow is gone.
Frequently asked questions
When is Leadville Ski Joring 2027?
The official site lists March 6–7, 2027, as the 79th annual event. Confirm on the event website before you travel, since winter events can change.
Is Leadville Ski Joring free?
Yes. Watching is free for all spectators. The pancake breakfast and anything you buy in town are extra.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs, including service animals, are banned where horses are present. Leave them at your lodging.
Where to stay for Leadville Ski Joring
The Big Mack is in Twin Lakes, roughly 20–30 minutes from Harrison Avenue, and sleeps 12 across four bedrooms, including three king rooms and a downstairs bunk room. It's a practical base when Leadville's small inventory of rooms sells out. After a cold day on the street, come back to a fireplace, a hot tub and a full kitchen, with parking for your group's cars.
