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Leadville Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival Weekend

Leadville Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival Weekend

Leadville, CO, United States

      March 1-3, 2024 

      At Leadville Ski Joring and Crystal Carnival Weekend, see the unique sport of ski joring and join mountain bike and Nordic ski races, a paintball biathlon, and umpteen other kinds of winter fun!

      What Is Ski Joring?

      Leadville Ski Joring is an action-packed sport where a horse and rider race down snow-packed Harrison Avenue in Leadville’s downtown, pulling a skier who’s holding onto a rope. As the horse gallops, the skier flies over jumps and spears rings set up along certain parts of the course. It’s a thrilling event to watch or join!

      See what the New York Times had to say about this thrilling event in The Wild West, On Skis.

      You can ride your horse or ski, bid on a team at the Calcutta auction, or line up on Harrison Avenue to watch the excitement! Kids can get in on the action, too, and try ski joring behind a snowmobile.

      Watch Ski Joring

      Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3

      Noon – 3 p.m.

      Leadville Ski Joring is free to watch! For everyone’s safety, no dogs or drones are allowed.

      Schedule: National anthem at noon, then Open division, Sport division, Snowmobile division. Awards are presented right after ski joring at the Elks Club (123 W. 5th St.). Kids can try ski joring behind a snowmobile after ski joring ends on Saturday.

      Join Weekend Races & Events!

      Every bit as fun as ski joring is the Crystal Carnival part of the weekend, with unique events guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

      Friday, March 1

      6 p.m.

      Come to The Yak at FREIGHT for an epic storytelling jam. Theme: Wander: the time you were lost or exploring, and it turned out for the best. (320 E. 9th St.)

      6:30 p.m.

      Nordic ski down Leadville’s main street before the horses do! In the Harrison Nordic Knockout Sprints, you can ski the avenue under the lights.

      9 p.m.

      Dance to live music by Horizon Line at the Pastime Saloon. (120 W. 2nd St.)

      Saturday, March 2

      7 a.m. – 11 a.m.

      Enjoy pancakes, eggs, and sausage at the Elks Annual Ski Joring Pancake Breakfast. (123 W. 5th St.)

      9 a.m.

      Calcutta (6th & Harrison Ave.)

      11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

      Stop by the Tabor Opera House to warm your hands, sip yummy drinks, and tour this historic building!

      Noon – 3 p.m.

      Watch Leadville Ski Joring on Leadville’s Harrison Avenue, in the heart of downtown.

      2-3 p.m. (Approximate time)

      Kids can do ski joring with snowmobiles after the main races end on Saturday. Each child may take one fun run.

      3-5 p.m.

      Jam to The Smelted Hearts live at the Pastime Saloon. (120 W. 2nd St.)

      6 p.m.

      Ride the Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series – Mineral Belt Mayhem, a fat tire bike ride after dark on the 11-mile Mineral Belt trail ringing this historic mining town.

      7 p.m.

      Dance and live music by Union Gray at the Elks Club. (123 W. 5th St.)

      9 p.m.

      Enjoy punk band The Pinheads live at the Pastime Saloon. (120 W. 2nd St.)

      Sunday, March 3

      7 a.m. – 11 a.m.

      Enjoy pancakes, eggs, and sausage at the Elks Annual Ski Joring Pancake Breakfast. (123 W. 5th St.)

      9 a.m.

      Calcutta (6th & Harrison Ave.)

      Noon – 3 p.m.

      Watch Leadville Ski Joring on Leadville’s Harrison Avenue, in the heart of downtown.

      1-2 p.m.

      Ski with a ranger at Ski Cooper! Identify trees, animal tracks, mountain peaks, and more.

      All Weekend

      Check out all our bars and saloons for special celebrations.

      Below, enjoy the pictures in our Leadville Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival Instagram gallery. Coming to the event? Tag us at @VisitLeadville so that we can feature your shots!

      Even More Winter Sports

      Not ready to race? You can still round out your weekend with winter activities galore. At 10,152′, the nation’s highest incorporated city has the best outdoor fun.

      Leadville Ski Joring photos by Mark LaRowe Photography. Mineral Belt Mayhem photos by Justin Talbot Photography and Spencer Stanek.

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