Is a Day at Leadville Skijoring Worth It? What to Expect
Leadville Skijoring Colorado -free winter event - stop postponing and finally go to this free bucket list adventure
Is Leadville Skijoring worth going to?
Absolutely—if you're looking for a free Colorado winter event. Leadville Skijoring is a 78-year-old tradition that combines horses, skiers, and snow-covered Main Street chaos in America's highest incorporated city at 10,152 feet above sea level. Get there earlyfor prime front row viewing in Leadville, Colorado.
When is Leadville Skijoring?
For 2026 it's slated for Saturday, March 7th and Sunday, March 8th. Check out the schedule here https://www.leadvilleskijoring.com/spectators
What does it cost to attend Leadville Skijoring?
NOTHING!!! It's free. Just show up. Now the locals don't get crowds here very often, so be sure to plan a little shopping, eating, and drinking while you're in town to support the business community. I'd suggest $25 per person for a bite to eat and more if you want to do some shopping or add on adventure. How's that for a budget friendly day in the mountains? Now you know you can afford it—what will you do first?
Here's everything a first-timer needs to know before putting this trip on your bucket list.
Are you ready to stop postponing a visit to Leadville?
Is it worth going? Have you ever dreamed of going to a mountain town in the Colorado Rockies, back in the days of the Old West? What if the excitement including horses-pulling people on skis down a snow covered Main Street? Then you need to discover....
What the heck is Skijoring??
Before I went, I thought this sounds crazy... After going, I realized I was 100% right.
What to Expect at Leadville Skijoring
Events start at high noon on Saturday and Sunday. Riders and skiers line up down by Leadville city hall near the starting line. Some of the horses are all gussied up in pretty saddles, and tinsel in their tails. The horse riders are a nod to western fashion, and the skiers—well it's Colorado after all. They don't disappoint. Heck a former US Olympic skier, even participated behind a horse in front of records crowds last year.
What Should I Wear?
What if you could wear that set of cowboy boots, cowboy hat and fringe you've been saving for someday? Will you fit in with the western crowd? Remember your western gear in the back of your closet, under the bed, or in the basement—that you bought for "someday"?
Well here's your "someday" and this is your time to dust it off and put it on. Now there will be some in similar gear, some coming off the mountains in snow gear, walkers, bikers, and I'm hoping snowmachines if mother nature brings us some much needed snow.
Where Can I Eat in Historic Leadville?
My favorite is an old place that got a new look about 2 years ago. I highly recommend pizza, meatballs or mac and cheese. It's called The Famous. And I might like it because they used to sell shoes there back in the days of yore.
Can I Participate in Leadville Skijoring?
Lol, that's not something I'm going to sign up for. I live in Colorado and surpassed my limit of 3 broken bones years ago. But if YOU want to check out what it takes here's a link https://www.leadvilleskijoring.com/competitors
Here's what to expect... Last year (2025) rumors had it there were 20,000 people who showed up over the weekend to watch this spectacle. Yes, right where Doc Holiday, the miners and those who profited from the silver boom that made Leadville the richest city in the world over a hundred years ago.
Getting There & Finding Parking
Here's the truth about how to get there and how not to be nervous about finding parking I drove my pickup truck and parked in on the street. Be a good visitor—and heed any signs about not blocking driveways, etc. People come and go all day, but if it's warmer weather—plan on arriving early to get a good spot on Harrison Avenue and a place to park in easy walking distance.
When the Skijoring Starts
So you've got yourself to Leadville, all dressed up, and the fun begins.
There are old fashioned callers from a bandstand like platform introducing the horses, riders, and skiers before each "run." The next part is NOT BORING! The horse and rider set up in front, with a rope connected to a handle held by the skier. The skier indicates when they are ready, and holy moly folks—hold onto everything. Those horses can go pretty fast and with the crowds cheering them on it's a total flashback to the Wild West. And the skiers??? They are having a blast, catching rings off holders placed down the street with a stick they are holding. Kind of like reaching for the rings on carousels back in the day when you were a kid.
Can It Get Any Crazier??
Authentic crowd reactions at Leadville Colorado Skijoring festival - real travel experience for hesitant adventurers
You bet! There are ramps (yes actual) ski ramps in the middle of the street, and the skiers are racing up and flying off the top, toward the finish line down by the famous Silver Dollar Saloon. Yup where Doc Holliday, Jesse James and many other notables used to hang out. The atmosphere is the most authentic I've found. You can sit down at the bar for a drink or head toward the back where there's a small stage with guitars from some famous artists who have played there over the years. You can even, enjoy lunch at a table next to a piano Doc Holliday played while soaking up local history from almost 200 years preserved on the walls. It's like a living museum. Caution—Skijoring crowds will fill this place up fast. So make note of its location and do plan to visit another time to enjoy all of its glory.
Did you know?
Did you know? Another notable resident of Leadville was Molly Brown—of fame for surviving the Titanic! She was "unsinkable," but could she have competed in skijoring?? We'll leave that to your imagination.
Planning your next adventure?
Get my FREE Ultimate Winter Travel Packing Checklist — never forget your cold-weather gear again!
Ready to plan your visit? Check out Part 2: Your Complete Leadville Skijoring Planning Guide for who should go, how to get there, and what else to do in the area!
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About the Author
Darlene T Bass is a Denver-based marketing strategist and content creator who helps hesitant travelers stop postponing bold adventures. Through honest guides and real photography, she shows you these "scary" trips are totally doable—from the Arctic Circle to Colorado's mountain towns.
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Follow @itsthatdarlene on Instagram for:
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