Utah Launches PRO Skijor Tour with $250,000 Prize Pool

A new professional skijoring tour, known as PRO Skijor, is set to launch in the United States, featuring six events across three states and culminating in a championship weekend in Salt Lake City. Starting on January 16-17, 2026, in Heber City, Utah, the tour promises to be North America’s first comprehensive professional skijoring series, offering over $250,000 in prize money throughout the season.

Skijoring is an exhilarating sport that combines elements of rodeo and skiing, where a skier is towed by a horse through a snow-covered obstacle course. This unique blend of cultures has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in the western United States. The term “skijoring” originates from the Norwegian word “skikjøring,” which means ski driving. The sport has roots tracing back centuries, when Scandinavians utilized reindeer and skis to traverse frozen landscapes.

Brian Gardner and Joe Loveridge, the founders of Skijoring Utah, first brought this sport to the region after experiencing it in Montana. In 2017, they organized their first race at Soldier Hollow, the venue used for cross-country skiing during the 2002 Winter Olympics. The inaugural race attracted 100 competitors and approximately 500 spectators. Over the years, the event has seen significant growth, with recent competitions drawing nearly 350 teams and thousands of viewers.

A New Era for Skijoring in North America

The PRO Skijor tour aims to elevate the sport to new heights, backed by a team of entertainment industry veterans. Partnering with Gardner and Loveridge are Greg Lipstone, a former talent agent, and Chris Castallo, a prominent producer with experience at major networks like NBC and CBS. Their collaboration is set to create an engaging event series designed for both athletes and fans alike.

According to Lipstone, “Skijoring is the perfect mix of horsepower, gravity and grit. We’re turning it into an event series built for both athletes and fans, something that feels epic, authentic, and unlike anything else in winter sports.” With high stakes on the line, participants can compete for substantial payouts at each event, with prizes ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 for regular stops, and $75,000 for the finals.

The sport has gained traction in the media as well. The Cowboy Channel, which reaches over 42 million households, has streamed skijoring events, showcasing the thrilling combination of rodeo energy and ski-town attitude. The Salt Lake Winter Roundup has also highlighted skijoring, calling it a transformative experience for winter tourism in the United States, as live performances and cultural activities accompany the races.

Exciting Events and Community Engagement

Each stop on the PRO Skijor tour will feature a variety of activities, including freestyle aerials, timed heats, and divisions for all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. The atmosphere promises to be vibrant, with live music, local food trucks, and family-friendly options, creating a festive environment for attendees.

Participants have expressed enthusiasm for the new tour format. Longtime skier Stephanie Webber stated, “Skijoring’s already wild, but turning it into a full-on series means I get to dial things in with my crew all season, stack points and chase the finals and have a blast doing it. I’m seriously stoked.”

The schedule for the inaugural Frontier Tour includes stops at significant venues across the Mountain West, starting in Heber City, Utah, and continuing to Bozeman, Montana, Logan, Utah, Boise, Idaho, Driggs, Idaho, and finishing in Salt Lake City from February 27 to March 1, 2026.

With its combination of speed, skill, and excitement, PRO Skijor is set to make a substantial impact on winter sports in North America, potentially paving the way for future recognition in international competitions, including discussions about becoming an Olympic demonstration sport by the 2034 Winter Games.