Wallace hosts fifth SkiJor event this weekend

WALLACE — Weekends in lawless Wallace are rarely quiet, yet the weekend of SkiJor takes it to the extreme (with safety measures heavily in place).

The popular Extreme SkiJor event returns for a fifth year on the streets of Wallace, with an entire weekend of supreme winter activities and giving out around $4,000 in prizes to competitors. Last year’s event saw more than 2,000 attendees, with around 23 competitors, and the group behind the event, Ski Wallace, is looking to have a similar turnout. The nonprofit organization aims to bring winter sports enthusiasts and tourists to town during the off-season by promoting winter recreation and events.

“In the past we had a one-day event,” said Ski Wallace member Siobhan Curet. “This year we decided to expand the event to span Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday. Since we have moved the main events into the daytime, we are hoping that we will be able to attract more families, as well as give several opportunities for spectators to watch.”

Curet continued to explain that the group has added two play areas for kids — on Sixth Street between Bank and Cedar, Inland Iglu will have their full-sized Igloos set up and allow kids and adults to play in and on them. There will also be free carnival-style games between Cedar and Pine streets for families to join in on.

“We have received great feedback from business owners about the economic stimulus this event provides to Wallace each year,” Curet said. “Usually, the winter has some pretty slow stretches, and we have been told the boost from this event helps to make up for those slow months. By attracting visitors to Wallace in a season they might not normally book a room and stay in town, they will get the opportunity to see how much fun Wallace is in the winter and the recreation opportunities that are year-round.”

The event has around 35 sponsors this year, with more rolling in as it gets closer to the weekend.

This year the snowboarding and ski divisions are separated, with prizes coming in at $1,000, $500 and $250 for first, second and third place in each division and an additional $500 for the top female competitor. There will also be a $500 prize for the Friday night keg jump.

The events for the weekend are as follows:

FRIDAY, FEB. 17

• 4-6 p.m. — Registration at Ski Wallace HQ (605 Cedar St.)

• 6:30 p.m. — Mandatory Competitor Meeting at Oasis Bordello (605 Cedar St.)

• 7 p.m. — Keg Jump and Exhibition Event at Cedar Street

SATURDAY, FEB. 18

• 9-11 a.m. — Registration at Ski Wallace HQ (605 Cedar St.)

• 11 a.m. — Mandatory Competitor Meeting at Competitor Staging Area (703 Cedar)

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Practice at Cedar Street

• 1 p.m. — Extreme SkiJor Ski Division Qualifier at Cedar Street

SUNDAY, FEB. 19

• 11 a.m. — Mandatory Competitor Meeting at Competitor Staging Area (703 Cedar)

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Practice at Cedar Street

• 1 p.m. — Extreme SkiJor Ski & Snowboard Finals at Cedar Street

“Additionally, we are hosting our annual Burlesque show fundraiser on March 4, at 419 Cedar St., in Wallace,” Curet added. “The event sells out each year, so we encourage people to buy tickets soon!”

For more information on SkiJor and Ski Wallace, or to buy tickets to the burlesque show, visit www.skiwallace.com or visit the Ski Wallace Facebook page.