Leadville & Twin Lakes Guide

Leadville Winter Carnival
& Ski Joring
March 3 & 4, 2012

Highlights include horse-drawn skiers racing over jumps on snow-packed streets, snowshoe races for teens, sled dog and mountain bike races, and broomball games.

Leadville celebrates winter with a bang… and a whinny, a woof and several loud yee-haws. When you live in the highest incorporated city in North America, you make the most out of winter. That's certainly the case in Leadville, where residents gear up for a weekend of ski joring and snow-themed activities the whole family can enjoy. In 2010, The Crystal Carnival and 61st Annual Ski Joring is scheduled to take place Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, 2012 in downtown Leadville.

Leadville has been hosting ski joring competitions since 1949. Ski joring, which entails a horse and rider pulling a skier down a snow-packed road over jumps while spearing rings in a timed competition, is a real tradition here and draws teams from all over the country. It's so much fun; the 2008 competition is featured in Warren Miller's latest film, "Children of Winter."

The event includes three classes of competition: the OPEN CLASS, for experienced competitive teams; the SPORT CLASS, for beginners; and the LEGENDS CLASS, for experienced teams who are getting a little long in the tooth for the Open Class. Each team pays an entry fee and a cash purse is awarded to the winners of each class.

The Crystal Carnival, which commemorates the original winter sports festival held in Leadville in 1896, offers an out-of-the-ordinary good time for the entire family. Activities include a children's parade; snowshoe races for teens; sled dog races;
a winter mountain bike race; and broomball games for the adults. All events are free for spectators; some require fees for participants. On Saturday morning at 10, kids can also try their hand at ski joring behind a snowmobile for just $5 a ride.

2012 Events Included

All Day Free sledding on Dutch Henry Sledding Hill - Bring your own sled or rent a tube for $5 per hour

Children's Parade again at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 3rd.

Broomball Games, Sunday, March 4th at 10:00 & 11:00 am. The first will be between the Fire Department and Law Enforcement; the second between ALCO and Safeway.

Mineral Belt Mayhem - An 11-mile loop on Leadville's Mineral Belt Trail; registration and check-in at 5 p.m. at Cycles of Life, 309 Harrison Ave.; race starts at 7 p.m.; part of the Winter Mountain Bike Race Series, Sat. March 3,

Mt. Massive Mush - Presented by Mount Massive Golf Course and the Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club

Located in the center of Colorado, 103 miles west of Denver and 129 miles northwest of Colorado Springs, Leadville is known for its rich history, Victorian architecture, friendly small-town atmosphere, and beautiful scenery. The downtown district is lined with specialty shops and antique stores, eateries, museums and inns. Go to http://www.visitleadvillecolorado.com or call 888-532-3845 for more information.

• Ski Joring Draw, Calcutta and Competition - 2 days of team & individual races in downtown Leadville! Teams draw for time slots, followed by Calcutta Sale, then the Sports Class, Legends Class and Open Class competitions.

• Kids' Ski Joring - Kids can try ski joring behind snowmobile for $5 a ride.

• Kids' Parade - Children (ages 5-12) welcome to participate.

• Mt. Massive Mush - Presented by Mount Massive Golf Course and the Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club. rmsdc.com/leadville.html

• Teen Snowshoe Race - Contestants race holding a full cup of water (ages 13-17; snowshoes available; release must be signed prior to race)

• Shelter Dog Shuffle - Ski, snowshoe, run or walk with your pooch in this one-mile race at Mount Massive Golf Course to benefit the Leadville/Lake County Animal Shelter and Planned Pethood Assistance.

• Mineral Belt Mayhem - Registration & check in. This 12-mile race is part of the Winter Mountain Bike Race Series (Cycles of Life, 309 Harrison Ave.)

• Broomball Games
- 18+ age group
- The Guns vs. The Hoses (The Police & Sherriff's departments take on the Firemen & St. Vincent's Ambulance departments for the coveted Golden Broom Award.)

• Freestyle Snowboard Competition

• Evening Nordic Ski Event on Harrison Avenue