Leadville Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival Weekend
March 3-5, 2023
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
Leadville Ski Joring is free to watch! For everyone’s safety, no dogs or drones are allowed.
Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4
9 a.m.
Calcutta (6th & Harrison Ave.)
Noon – 3 p.m.
Leadville ski joring – 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.).
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 3
11 a.m. – Noon
Come early and ski with a ranger at Ski Cooper! Learn about animal tracks, trees, and the history of the 10th Mountain Division ski troopers, who trained for World War II at Cooper hill.
6-9 p.m.
This year, the annual Spirits in the Shaft will be held on ski joring weekend! You won’t want to miss this wild, wild West wine, beer, and whiskey tasting – a special after-hours event at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. Come in costume, or come as you are!
7 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.
7-9 p.m.
Tell and hear intriguing stories at the Yak storytelling event at FREIGHT.
9 p.m. – Midnight
Enjoy Americana jam-rock with Lightship Dragster at the Pastime Saloon.
Saturday, March 4
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.
Join a 10K Colorado Cup Snowshoe Race, which takes place at the same time as the 2023 Colorado High School Snowshoe Racing Championship. Both happen at Colorado Mountain College.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Stop by the warming station at the historic Tabor Opera House (308 Harrison Ave.)! Enjoy free hot drinks and treats, watch the ski joring live stream and the Ice Cowboys film, tour the theater and shop the gift store.
5-8 p.m.
Join a free Crystal Carnival Family Fair at FREIGHT, with axe throwing, games, and more!
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.
Dance at the Elks Lodge (123 W. 5th St.) with Union Gray.
8 p.m.
For Rocky Mountain rock and roll, come hear Horizon Line live at The Scarlet Tavern (326 Harrison Ave.)!
8 p.m. – Midnight
Bring your best karaoke to the Pastime Saloon.
Sunday, March 5
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. – 4 p.m.
Join the Cooper Cup Giant Slalom Race! These community races take place at Ski Cooper on the Black Powder venue. Anyone and everyone is welcome: alpine skiers, telemarkers, and snowboarders. Bring the whole family!
All Weekend
Visit two local shops in a new location, 522 Harrison Ave., at the downtown stoplight.
- Galena Mountain Projects makes all sorts of Leadville-inspired stuff: backcountry sunshirts, guidebooks to the next adventure, simple webbing belts that will keep your pants up, and more.
- Come say howdy at Feed Your Soul, Boho Goods + (a new venture from Blue Vessel Florista), and get 10% off retail goods March 3-5!
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.
- Downhill Skiing: Family-friendly Ski Cooper has all-natural snow, short lift-lines, and full-day lift tickets at affordable prices.
- Fatbiking, Nordic Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Snowmobiling: Explore nearly 100 miles of groomed winter trails near Leadville and at Tennessee Pass Nordic Center.
Leadville Ski Joring photos by Mark LaRowe Photography. Mineral Belt Mayhem photos by Justin Talbot Photography and Spencer Stanek.
