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
Cheer the horses and skiers on Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 3 p.m. both days! It’s free to watch! (Please, no dogs or drones at ski joring.)
It’s a Winter Race Extravaganza!
Every bit as fun as ski joring is the Crystal Carnival part of the weekend, with unique races guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
- Harrison Nordic Knockout Sprints: Ride the snow on Leadville’s main street before the horses do. Ski the avenue under the lights (usually Friday at 7 p.m. at Melanzana)
- Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series – Night Ride – Mineral Belt Mayhem: Join a fat tire bike ride after dark on the 11-mile Mineral Belt trail ringing this historic mining town (usually Saturday at 6 p.m.).
- Leadville Nordic Paintball Biathlon: Nordic skiing plus paintball at Tennessee Pass Nordic Center (usually Sunday at 10 a.m.)
Dancing, Live Music & Parties
Traditional celebrations include a dance at the Elks Lodge starting at 7 p.m. 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.
