Dive

Skijoring an uplowed road in this season's first super snowstorm.Yay for snow!!!

Cruising along the unplowed Sallie Barber Mine Road on the way to the
trailhead of the Sallie Barber Mine Trail. We love to get out before the plows
and enjoy some road skijoring :)

Now come along for the video counterpart to the prior photo. We start the clip with Jack & Rudy calmly awaiting my release command. Then, once I say, "OK", off we go! Whee! Again, the video is a bit bouncy as I'm still using my old, cheapo video camera since my gopro died. But, a new camera with video stabilization has arrived; so our videos should start looking smooth again once I get that camera setup!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

As I mentioned, we started today's outing on the road leading to the Sallie Barber Mine Trail. Once we got on the trail and started climbing in elevation, the snow got deeper and deeper. So fun:

Breaking trail at higher elevation in about 8-10 inches of powder!

Along the way, we got our first rodent dive of the season from Rudy. He does the most beautiful, high arching, fox-like rodent dives to search for rodents off trail under the snow.

First rodent dive of the season from Rudy - incoming!!!

As I've mentioned in past seasons, Jack does low angle "rodent lunges" as opposed to Rudy's high arching dives. Which is more effective, a lunge or a dive, well judge for yourself:

Looks like a lunge is just as effective as a dive to dunk deep in the off trail
snow searching for rodents :)

Neither came up with a rodent in his mouth, but it was NOT from lack of trying! Ok, rodent interlude over, time to continue skijoring. How about breaking trail to cruise on by the historic Sallie Barber Mine?

Whee - what a fun powder day!!!

Back to the main trailhead parking lot for end of run treats to finish the outing and this trailhead (versus the one we started from) has been plowed so had snow walls to climb for end of run treats!

"Ready!" says the happy kids atop a snow wall to receive their treats.

What fun powder skijor day at the Sallie Barber Mine: 5.1 miles traveled with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 17 MPH.

2025/2026 Season to Date: 7 days on the trails covering 36.9 miles with 4200 feet of elevation climbed.

 

Snow Wall

Shoulder to shoulder flying along the Sallie Barber Mine Trail this morning. Wheeee!

Such perfect, synchronized form. Impressive :)

This morning found us skijoring the fun Sallie Barber Mine Trail. This trail, though, is somewhat short for Jack & Rudy's liking, so we always enjoy adding to it when the snow permits. There are lots of single track offshoots from the main trail to explore. Today we FINALLY had enough snow for the offshoots to be safe to skijor. Our offshoot this morning had a narrow set track from previous skiers. The set track was only "one Siberian Husky wide" and the snow out of the track was too deep for one of Jack/Rudy to run in track and the other keep pace out of track. So, what to do? Well, the smart kids have no problem arranging themselves into single file skijoring to keep the fun going:

Rudy running point while Jack takes a break behind him.

I never have to say anything, the smart kids automagically adapt and configure themselves to fit in the narrow set track. The guy in front, though, is now doing all the work (leading & pulling) while the guy in back is taking a break and merely jogging along. So, kids will eventually switch positions to even out the load. Again, I say nothing, they do this all on their own. So smart :)

Jack's turn to run point while Rudy takes a break behind him.

While the single track offshoots are fun, the most entertainment is getting back on the wide main trail and flooring it. Here we are zooming by the historic Sallie Barber Mine:

Wheeee!

Now come along for the video counterpart of the prior photo. We start out gliding by the historic mine and then floor it on this wonderful wide trail amidst very dense trees on each side. What a peaceful run!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

But, today's real highlight was our first snow wall to climb for end of run treats this season. A plow had cleared the trailhead parking lot recently and a small snow wall was now available for Jack & Rudy to climb to receive treats. They LOVE doing this (and I love not having to get down on my knees :)

Not the tallest of snow walls; but still a sufficient wall to climb and receive
treats from me in a standing position. Yay!

The conditions are finally starting to come together this season with more snow in the forecast. Today's tally: 5.7 miles traveled with 700 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 18 MPH.

2025/2026 Season to Date: 5 days on the trails covering 27.7 miles with 3300 feet of elevation climbed.

Peak 7

Fresh tracks fun on the trails on Peak 7 in Breckenridge. Wheeee!

A wonderful layer of fresh snow all to ourselves. Yay!

We were on the trails that will eventually become Breckenridge Nordic Center once there is enough snow to support a groomer. While we expected enough snow for a groomer, it is not quite there. But, there was plenty of snow to support Jack, Rudy and I! So, it was a "backcountry style" outing on the soon to become nordic trails on Peak 7 this morning.

It was 8 degrees (F) when we started the outing. You know what that means, Jack & Rudy had to stop and use the Hallelujah Warming Hut we encountered along the way. This is how a Siberian Husky uses a warming hut:

"8 degrees! So hot! Must stop, drop and roll to cool our jets at the
warming hut!" declares the snow rolling sillies.

While we were first tracks in the fresh snow most of the day, eventually we encountered evidence of others. Not a problem, there was still plenty of fresh snow for us to use next to some other tracks on the trail:

Fresh tracks down the middle of the trail with another set of ski
tracks to our left. Plenty of untouched snow for us!!!

Now come along for some video fun. Watch as Jack & Rudy are having a blast towing me along in the fresh snow as we round many corners on the trail along the way. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Then, we got a real treat - our first fresh smelling moose tracks on the trail for the 2025/2026 season. Delectable!

"Sniff, sniff - these are FRESH!!!" says the moose track inspectors.

What was better - the fresh snow, the moose tracks or the end of run treats. Hmmm, I think it was a tie amongst all three!

"End of run treats are ALWAYS special!" declares the happy & focused kids.

Great day laying fresh tracks on Peak 7: 6.2 miles traveled with 800 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2025/2026 Season to Date: 4 days on the trails covering 22.0 miles with 2600 feet of elevation climbed.

It's Begun!

Jack & Rudy catching air, in mid-season form, on our third outing of the early 2025/2026 season!

"We don't need time to get back in shape, we were born to do this!" demonstrates
the fun kids already in mid-season form!

We can FINALLY say that the season has fully begun! After some great (and MUCH needed) snow the last 2 days, are trails are finally in good condition and terrain is starting to become skijor-able! Yay!

Our route today took us up the front side of the Sallie Barber Mine Trail. If you've followed through the years, you know that Jack & Rudy typically roll snow angels after the initial climb to the mine. Today the lace on my ski boot came loose. I thought I'd pause at the mine to let them roll while I retightened my boot lace. Well, Rudy apparently thinks I'm supposed to stand and watch the snow angels, not tend to my own business; so he let me know it :)

"WOO! What are you doing back here? You are supposed to be focused on ME!"
declares wooing Rudy coming back to get in my face loudly!!!
"I can wait for a shoe tie!" says patient, happy Jack in the background.

So we got woos (Rudy) and smiles (Jack) while I fixed my boot. I then expected snow angels once I was paying attention again. Well, not today, the frisky kids had other plans.

"Let's wrestle at the mine!" suggests the silly kids play bowing to each other.
If you know "dog language" you'll note that Jack (yes, perfect Jack) is the instigator
in this photo. Rudy, of course, never backs down from a play challenge. Silly kids!!!

We then went on to check the back side of the trail. This side is much steeper and rockier. But, I saw other ski tracks going down the trail, so we tried it. Well, skiing by yourself down a steep & rocky trail is MUCH different than skijoring behind two strong sled dogs on a steep & rocky trail. After a tumbling wipeout (of me, Jack & Rudy had no issues :), we abandoned the back side and returned to skijor down the front side of the trail. This did give us a chance, though, to fly on by the mine on the second pass:

Whee! Flying on by Sallie Barber Mine.

Now here we go for today's video highlight along one of our favorite curves into a long straightaway on the Sallie Barber Mine Trail. I mentioned yesterday that my gopro died, so I'm now using an old & cheapo camera while I shop & buy a new, higher quality camera. The result, you'll notice this video is very "bouncy" compared to what I usually show. Well, cheapo cameras do not do "image stabilization" of videos, high quality cameras do. So, we'll have bouncy clips until I replace the dead gopro. But, we'll take it to be on snow!!!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Back to the trailhead and, being only the third outing of the season, there are no snow walls yet for Jack & Rudy to climb for end of run treats. I look forward to the snow walls as much as them - they love to climb them and I love to not have to kneel down. Soon, my pals, soon...

"As usual, you have our full attentions!" says the happy kids awaiting
end of run treats.

A fun little jaunt on the front side of Sallie Barber this morning: 4.3 miles traveled with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 18 MPH.

2025/2026 Season to Date: 3 days on the trails covering 15.8 miles with 1800 feet of elevation climbed.

Real Snow, Bad Camera

Finally - REAL (and deep enough) snow to really get our 2025/2026 skijoring season underway!!!

Whee - laying fresh tracks up Boreas Pass in about 4-5" of fresh snow!

This is only our second outing of the 2025/2026 season due to lack of snow across pretty much all of Colorado. But, significant snow FINALLY arrived last night. So, we got out just after sunrise to truly enjoy this late start to the season.

While the snow was PERFECT, the GoPro camera was NOT! I knew my camera was nearing its end of life and today was the day it gave out. Every time I turned on the video, it would run for 10-20 seconds and then beep, say "low battery, powering off" and shutdown. I'd then turn it back on, see that the battery was over 90% charged, turn on video again only to have it shutdown in 10-20 seconds again. Boo!

At our turnaround point, the camera had clicked off and I missed capturing Jack & Rudy rolling dual snow angels. So, I got myself centered on them, clicked the video on once more and asked "Who wants to roll snow angels again?" I knew I had only 10-20 seconds for my pals to respond. Well, here's what I got:

"You don't have to ask me twice! Rub a dub dub!" goes always rolling Jack.
"Nope, you get a big WOOOOO for asking me to perform!" responds talkative Rudy.

I kept trying to turn the video on every 10 minutes or so, hoping the camera would come back to life. But, that did not happen, I never got more than 20 seconds of video at a time (often closer to 10 seconds). Bummer....

Quick shot of the return leg before the camera shut off again.
Those are our "up tracks" to our left. We were laying fresh tracks
all the way up & down Boreas. Too bad the camera didn't cooperate!

Back to the trailhead and at least Nancy's iPhone video worked for end of run treats:

"Ready!" says always happy Jack.
"You have my FULL attention!" adds intense Rudy.

We finally got snow - yay! But we had a bad camera - boo! I'll be switching to an old backup camera in hopes of getting real footage on our next outing!

Today's tally: 8.4 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 17 MPH.

2025/2026 Season to Date: 2 days on the trails covering 11.5 miles with 1300 feet of elevation climbed.

 

2025/2026 Season Opener

Let the 2025/2026 Skijor Season FINALLY Begin!!!!

Whee, we are back on skis & snow!!!!!
Smiles all around!

After a ridiculously dry October and start to November in Colorado, we FINALLY got our skijor season started this morning. This is the latest start we EVER had to a skijor season (and we've been doing this since 2010 - first with Max & Zorro and now with Jack & Rudy). My goodness, we typically get at least one and usually multiple outings in October and we've even had a few years with September starts. Jack, Rudy and I were starting to wonder if it would ever snow this season!!!!

To get the season started, though, we needed an assist from the snow making machines on Breckenridge Ski Resort. While we did get some new snow overnight, it was not enough to skijor without an assist. So, we went to one of the closed runs at Breckenridge where they are making snow in an attempt to open new terrain. Well, snow is snow - we'll take natural or man made at this point to get the season going!

Zipping along a ski run of mostly man made snow with an active snow gun
making snow to our left. Any snow is good snow!

It was actually pretty fun to skijor amidst the active running snow guns. We were galloping (Jack & Rudy) and gliding (me) in and out of active, man made snowfall. Wheeee!

A somewhat blurred photo from snow guns spraying snow down
upon us. Fun!

Now come along for a video view into the fun as we skijor along a this ski run amidst active snow guns. 

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Despite a much later than usual start to the season, some things remain the same with silly Jack & Rudy.

First, snow angels MUST be rolled at any turnaround point of the outing:

"Rub a dub dub, turnaround roll around!" goes the snow rolling goofs
already in "mid season snow rolling form" :)

Second, everyone is at full attention and all smiles awaiting end of run treats:

"We'd NEVER forget about end of run treats! Dish them out!"
says the happy & focused pair.

We needed an assist from the ski resort snow guns, but the 2025/2026 season has FINALLY begun: 3.1 miles traveled with 400 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 15 MPH.

Pray for Snow - we need MUCH more!!!!!

Season Finale

Jack & Rudy ready to complete our 2024/2025 skijor season:

Ready to go!

Our final outing was actually the morning of Wednesday, May 21. I am just getting around to writing up our finale this morning. While Jack & Rudy are poised and ready to go in the prior photo, notice all the indentations in the snow. The kids often roll snow angels BEFORE we get started on our outings because I clearly take way too LONG to put my skis on. So, you might as well roll before you go while you wait for the slow human :)

Our final outing took us out the Harrison Creek trail atop Rabbit Ears Pass. This trail has a quick elevation rise and is well shaded; so it is often the last usable trail at Rabbit Ears. The conditions were soft & slushy, making for a very aerobic outing for all!

Jack & Rudy's deep footprints demonstrate just how soft and
slushy the conditions were. The last outing of the season is always
quite interesting conditionwise.

Being the end of season meant we came across many hazards to navigate around as well:

"Uh, now what?" asks Rudy as he knows I cannot cross this on skis.
"Hey, I see a smidget of snow to the left!" declares smart Jack.
Yes, I was able to ski over that small patch of snow to our left.

The conditions were getting softer and slushier by the minute as we were going out. The elevation rise at Harrison Creek was not enough to out race the warming temperatures. So, I turned us around after less than 2 miles as I wanted to be able to get back safely & comfortably before it became too mushy. Our turnarounds typically go as follows: I callout "Wait, time to turnaround." and Jack & Rudy take this as "Stop, drop, roll snow angels and then turnaround." Well, my call to turnaround so soon clearly caught them off guard as they turnaround without the "drop & roll" ritual. But, once around, they realized a turnaround is a turnaround so snow angels must still be rolled:

We completed the turnaround BEFORE the kids rolled snow angels.
Typically they roll first and turn second. So, I clearly caught them off guard
but they sure made up for it once turned :)

Our final video clip of the 2024/2025 season goes along with the prior photo. Come along and watch as we start the clip with the comedians rolling snow angels before rising and taking off back the direction we came. You lose complete view of Jack & Rudy for a bit as I am in a tight ski tuck trying to stay upright on a downslope in soft/slushy snow. Once the terrain levels out, I'm able to rock back and we get full view of the fun kids again :)

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

The return leg was a bit easier than the out leg as we had the tracks we set on the way out to compact the soft/slushy snow a little bit. But, it was still soft & slushy :)

Making use of the ski & foot tracks we set on the way out for a little
firmer conditions (but still soft) on the way back.

This season was not a record by any means (see our 2022/2023 season of 1444 miles for a record season), but any & all seasons on snow are fun, fun, FUN! Right guys?

"Yes, we LOVE snow!" says the happy kids who found snow hump to climb
to end the season climbing up for end of run treats as they love to do.

A soft & slushy finale, but still a great time: 3.7 miles traveled with 400 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 18 MPH.

2024/2025 Season Recap: 108 days on the trails covering 822.8 miles with 81,200 feet of elevation climbed.

We'll be back in September or October (weather dependent) to start our 2025/2026 skijor season. Until then, enjoy boring summer and Pray for Snow!!!!

Still Going

After a LONG week off, we were back on snow this morning. Yay for Skijoring in May!!!

"Are you having as much fun as me?!?" Rudy is yelling out to Jack :)
Love their footprints in the light layer of new snow.

With new snowfall Sunday & Monday, we were having a blast laying fresh tracks up, down and around Walton Peak atop Rabbit Ears Pass. The kids were ecstatic to have toes back on snow after a long, long, long week off :)

Catching air with fun footprints behind the kids again.

We did an out & back skijor this morning as I wanted to witness the trail conditions on the mostly uphill out leg before turning around and going much faster on the mostly downhill return leg. Wait, did I say "turn around" - yep!

"Turnaround, roll around!" goes the snow rolling sillies cooling themselves
off at our turnaround point.

Once, upright, it was time to floor it on the return leg. We were laying fresh tracks on the way out and then were second tracks to ourselves on the way back. At our highest elevation of the outing, the fresh snow was roughly an inch or two (as compared to the trace of new snow in the first two photos above):

Coming back down Walton Peak in the best snow of the day.

Now come along for the video counterpart to the prior photo. I love watching Jack & Rudy adjust to the conditions as they bounce around to find the firmest snow to support their weight at speed. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Back to the trailhead and all the snow walls have melted. So, it was my turn to get down to Jack & Rudy's level as opposed to them climbing snow walls to come up to me as they prefer. Either way, human down or huskies climbing up, it's enjoyable end of run treats!

"We prefer climbing up snow walls, but we'll accept them this way too!" says
the happy & focused fun kids.

We don't have many outings left this season as it is melting fast; but today was a great outing for late May: 8.4 miles traveled with 800 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2024/2025 Season to Date: 107 days on the trails covering 819.1 miles with 80,800 feet of elevation climbed.

Rudy 8000

7 year old Rudy surpassed 8,000 career skijor miles yesterday morning! Impressive!

"And I've been singing for 8000 miles too!" adds proudly wooing Rudy.

Rudy's skijor career to date is the following: 1034 days on the trails covering 8000.3 miles with 742,100 feet of elevation climbed. Consider that most of this has happened since he was 1.5 years old and that is quite an impressive career he has strung together. For the curious, 5 month older Jack surpassed 8,000 career miles himself earlier this season.

Back to yesterday's outing. It was another fun tour around the top of Rabbit Ears Pass. But, the signs of summer are really starting to come through - boo!

There was lots of breakup in open meadows:

Yikes, the snow caving in to Jack's right with more exposed water
to Rudy's left.

There was lots of dirty snow in heavily wooded sections of trail:

Look at all that "tree debris" covering our otherwise beautiful white snow!

There were lots of narrow stretches with views of "no snow" at elevations below us.

Cruising along a narrow stretch with views of snow bare lower elevations
of Colorado to our right.

But, what did remain constant with the comedians was rolling snow angels to cool off at our turnaround point:

"Stop, drop and ROLL!" goes the snow rolling sillies.

Which deteriorating condition to feature in today's video highlight? How about gliding along behind Jack & Rudy in the tree debris covered snow amongst thick trees. Sure, it's not pretty snow, but it is toes on snow in mid-May, we'll take that any day!!!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Another constant, along with rolling snow angels, was still finding snow walls to climb for end of run treats. Despite heavy melting, the kids can still find a wall to scale!

"If there is a snow wall, we'll find it and climb it!' declares the happy
kids getting up to my level for end of run treats.

Yesterday's tally: 9 miles traveled with 800 feet of elevation climbed with a top speed of 22 MPH and passing 8,000 career skijor miles for impressive 7 year old Rudy. Yay!

2024/2025 Season to Date: 106 days on the trails covering 810.7 miles with 80,000 feet of elevation climbed.

Packed Leftovers

Look who was enjoying "toes on snow in mid-May!"

"We LOVE toes on snow!!!" exclaims the super happy kids thrilled
to still be on snow in mid-May.

We returned to Rabbit Ears Pass for another skijor this morning. We started the day by skijoring yesterday's surprise groomed trail. We just HAD to do this wonderful stretch again today!

The kids flying along yesterday's surprise groomed trail. Wheeee!

After flying along the 1.5 mile groomie, we changed our route from yesterday to follow leftover snowmobile trails towards Walton Peak. There is a network of "primary trails" on Rabbit Ears that get tons of snowmobile and snowcat traffic all winter long. These heavy machines really pack the snow. As a result, the leftover snowmobile trails remain skiable far into May even though conditions off trail are quickly deteriorating. Here's what I mean:

The fun kids catching air as you can make out the packed leftover trail in
front of us as compared to the choppy mess off the trail. Nice leftovers!

Now come along for the video example of what I am talking about. Watch as Jack, Rudy and I are having a blast skijoring the packed leftovers at the base of Walton Peak at Rabbit Ears Pass. What fun!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

This particular network of trails has one "guardian" to how far into May you can use them. There is a "snow bridge" crossing Walton Creek that is formed by snowmobiles and snowcats continually running over snow covered Walton Creek. There is no real bridge, just a bridge of packed snow. Once this bridge melts, there is no way to cross the creek and we have to abandon this route. We are happy to report that the packed snow bridge was still intact this morning!

You can see exposed Walton Creek to our left. Directly in front of us is
a bridge made out of packed snow allowing us to still skijor over the creek.
It's melting fast, but still intact this morning!

We did an "out & back" on the snowmobile leftovers. So, you know what that meant happened at turnaround time :)

Turnaround, roll around!!! You are pretty much guaranteed to get the
comedians rolling dual snow angels once we get into warm May days :)

Back to the trailhead and the kids found a mini snow wall to climb for end of run treats:

"We love snow walls! We LOVE snow!" says the happy kids awaiting
their end of run treats.

A wonderful mid-May skijor this morning: 9.6 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 23 MPH.

2024/2025 Season to Date: 105 days on the trails covering 801.7 miles with 79,200 feet of elevation climbed.