SkiJor is back!

WALLACE — If you see people on skis and snowboards being pulled around by a UTV in Wallace this weekend, there’s no reason to worry — it’s all part of the fun.

Hosted once again by the Ski Wallace group, the 3rd annual Wallace Big Air and Freestyle competition is set for Saturday and if Mother Nature cooperates — this could be the best one yet.

“The goal of Ski Wallace is to bring impactful events into the Silver Valley (and Wallace primarily) to increase winter activities and get more people here in the winter,” said Sera White, Ski Wallace board member.

SkiJoring, a winter activity in which a skier or snowboarder is pulled by a vehicle or animal over snow very quickly, has quickly become a winter time favorite in Silver Valley since the event began in 2017.

This year’s competition will once again be held on Cedar Street, starting near City Hall and ending just before Harry Magnuson Way.

Participants will have the option of competing against each other in either the snowboard or ski categories. The goal this year is to win the judges favor by tearing it up on side-by-side “freestyle” and “big-air” courses. With the different types of tracks being next to each other, it allows the skier or boarder to hit some rails, then go right over to a big jump.

The competition will be round-robin style, which allows people to go as many times as they want.

Winners are to be chosen based on a number of factors including best style, best trick, best air, most distance, and others.

The grand prize will once again be a Pabst Blue Ribbon-themed snowboard or skis. There will also be several other items and cash prizes available.

Another addition to the SkiJor will be the inclusion of the couch event, which will have four-person teams attempt to keep their beverages from spilling while being pulled down the track.

All riders in all events must be over 18 to register.

“As a whole, it’s coming together from a community perspective,” White said. “People are really coming in with their ideas.”

Since the event itself doesn’t make any money, funding for this year’s SkiJor was provided partly through a unique fundraiser held in January.

Ski Wallace hosted a comedy show at the Wallace Elks Lodge, featuring Rich Williams, and the event had a great turnout.

All the profits from the SkiJor go toward qualified historic projects to help preserve the history of the area.

Cedar Street will be closed the day before so that crews can build the course and set up.

Spectators, warmed by several burn barrels set up along the track’s edge, will be able to cheer on racers from the sidelines.

To register and see additional rules, visit skiwallace.com, as well as their Facebook page. Be sure to check these pages for any changes in the event.