BOOM

Laying fresh tracks in a light layer of new snow in the backcountry this morning! Whee!

Beautiful conditions, beautiful skijor partners!

After a few days off (my fault :), Jack & Rudy were ready to floor it this morning. They had the "pedal to the metal" pretty much all morning long!

Flying!!!

We found ourselves starting in the backcountry and then eventually dropping onto the trails at Gold Run Nordic Center. Along the way, we had two turnaround points of the outing. At the first turnaround, Jack & Rudy turned quickly and then had to wait for the slow human to cycle around on skis. That brings us to today's video highlight. Watch Jack is patiently sitting and Rudy patiently standing as they wait for my turnaround. But, then watch as soon as I say "Ok," (my release command for them to go) and the kids virtually shoot out of a cannon to launch me down the trail with them. Such power & speed in this fun video clip. BOOM!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

As I mentioned, we had two turnaround events during the outing. On the second turn, Jack & Rudy were back to "normal form" rolling snow angels while I turned around.

There we go, this is the usual turnaround event.
Stop, drop and roll while I turn around :)

Then, to our surprise & delight, we found ourselves being first tracks on the freshly groomed main trail at Gold Run Nordic Center. Jack & Rudy know what to do with a fresh groomie zoomie trail:

The hover huskies catching air on the groomie zoomie trail!

The final treat of the day was, of course, climbing a snow wall to receive end of run treats:

Such fun partners! Such happy kids!!!!

A nice zippy morning covering 6.1 miles with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 23 MPH.

2025/2026 Season to Date: 31 days on the trails covering 194.9 miles with 21,400 feet of elevation climbed.

Bluebird Day

It was a beautiful bluebird morning to catch some air high in elevation at Breckenridge Nordic Center!

Catching air on this beautiful morning skijor at over 12,000 feet
above sea level. Wheeee!

Today's outing took us to the higher elevation trails at Breckenridge Nordic Center. Despite being high in elevation, we start the outing flying along in a dense forest of trees.

Jack & Rudy literally flying along a perfect nordic trail in the woods!

Then, we climbed, climbed and climbed in elevation until we got over 12,000 feet amidst thinning trees. The reward for the climb? Well, turning around and flooring it back down! Come along for today's beautiful high elevation skijor clip as the GPS registered us topping 24 MPH. Zoom!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Eventually it was back into thicker trees but still beautiful bluebird conditions:

What a glorious morning!

Along the way, those pesky rodents under the snow distracted Jack for a moment. He had to lunge off trail to dig for the rodents. Rudy is always quick to follow with one of his beautiful high arching rodent dives to go searching for rodents himself!

"Dig, dig, I KNOW they are under the snow right here!" goes rodent dunking Jack.
"Oh really? Well, then, INCOMING!" joins Rudy via one of his patented
rodent dives.

Time to turnaround, everybody having a good time?

"You bet!" exclaims happy Jack.
"WOOOOOO, me TOOOOOO!" adds singing Rudy.
Oh, don't worry, they both rolled snow angels immediately after this shot.
The "stop, drop & roll" professionals :)

Over 9 miles and topping 24 MPH - now that's how you earn end of run treats!

"Yes, we earned them, dish them out!" says the happy & focused kids.

A zooming day on fast & wide nordic trails: 9.3 miles traveled with 1300 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 24 MPH.

2024/2025 Season to Date: 64 days on the trails covering 491.0 miles with 46,800 feet of elevation climbed.

Fresh Tracks Fun

Laying fresh tracks in 1-2 inches of new snow in the backcountry - wheeee!

Zipping along, catching air and fun fresh snow poofs under Jack & Rudy's feet!

Trail condition wise, it was a PERFECT day. Just enough new snow for me to safely uncork the Jack & Rudy skijor engine in the backcountry. Come along and watch the fun - what wonderful conditions this morning!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

After a fun fresh tracks romp in the backcountry, we dropped onto the wide trails at Gold Run Nordic Center. Much to our surprise and joy - NOBODY had been out on the upper nordic loop yet today. This meant we got to continue laying fresh tracks for miles & miles. There is nothing quite as special as 2 inches of fresh snow over a groomed nordic trail. Time to really open up the throttle!

"We believe we can fly!" demonstrates fully airborne Jack & Rudy.
What a great action shot!

Temperature wise, though, well - brrrrrr! It was below zero (F) all outing long. What do you think this meant to Jack & Rudy? Well, it was so HOT they had to roll snow angels to cool off :) In fact, below zero was so hot to Jack that he had to throw himself off trail into deeper snow to roll in and cool off - haha, silly Jack.

"Cowabunga - throwing myself into deeper snow to cool off!" goes comical Jack.
"Ah, rub a dub dub right here is fine for me!" adds upside down Rudy.

The frigid temperatures probably explains why we were first out on the morning's new snow. Who else but Jack & Rudy would relish subzero temperatures? Then, as we were completing the day's outing, we finally encountered one other set of ski tracks in the new snow. But, one set of ski tracks is easy to avoid and continue laying fresh tracks in the remaining snow on the wide trail:

"Whee - we'll ignore that ski track to our left and keep laying
fresh tracks over here!" demonstrates fun Jack & Rudy.

Finally, back to the trailhead and who is ready for end of run treats?

"I am SO ready!" says Jack.
"Me too, me too!" adds mellow (haha) Rudy.

A lot of fresh tracks fun this morning but a bit on the cold side for me (only me :) - 7.3 miles traveled with 700 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2024/2025 Season to Date: 53 days on the trails covering 398.7 miles with 37,900 feet of elevation climbed.

Flirts

Can't you just feel the power behind strong Jack & Rudy in this photo?

The power twins putting all their strength into their shoulders to
launch me along. Wheeee!

We returned to Vail Pass again this morning. As with two days ago, we got out on the terrain before 7am in hopes that the Spring Crust was still firm early in the morning. Well, as you see in the photo above - success! The early morning crust was perfect again today as we were able to abandon set trails and skijor any and every direction we chose. 

Along the way and... It's a bird, it's a plane, it's super Jack & Rudy:

The power kids literally flying along. Beautiful airborne shot of Jack
and nice power shot of Rudy (looks at his shadow to see he is all four
feet off the ground too).

One of the fun attractions at Vail Pass is the backcountry huts where groups snowshoe and/or ski to and stay overnight. But, since we have to get out early in May for the crust, it is hit or miss whether any of the overnighters are up when we cruise by early in the morning. Well, today was "hut success" as we encountered quite a few overnighters up & about early. Jack & Rudy LOVE to flirt with the crowds and the crowds love to meet them too!

It started off with two kids - one for each :)

The flirts, Jack & Rudy, each taking one kid to play with!

Then the crowd grew. So many people to flirt with. What to do? Well, Jack will take multiple kids at once and Rudy will entertain the entire group singing his beautiful woos :)

"I'll take as many kids as want to touch me!" says cool Jack.
"I'll WOOOOO to entertain EVERYONE at once!" belts singing Rudy.

Once done flirting at the huts, it was time to head back to the trailhead. We had power and flying Jack & Rudy in the photos above, so let's add a hover husky to complete the day's action:

The hover huskies catching air with pretty Rocky Mountain views in front
of us.

Today's video highlight contains the previous hover husky shot. Come along and watch the kids having a blast flying along the perfect crust. Top speed in this clip? 22 MPH - wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Back to the parking lot and the sillies found one of their tallest snow walls of the season to climb. I had to climb partway up too in order to get to their height!

"Treats taste better atop snow walls!" declares the funny kids.

Another wonderful Vail Pass crust morning with some great flirting along the way: 9.3 miles traveled with 1000 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 151 days on the trails covering 1275.7 miles with 126,800 feet of elevation climbed.

Return

We had so much fun skijoring the Spring Crust at Vail Pass yesterday that we returned to do it again today!

Jack & Rudy flying along the endless and wonderfully firm Spring Crust
atop Vail Pass!

The only difference between yesterday and today was today was heavily overcast skies whereas yesterday was a bright & sunny bluebird day. So, yesterday had lots of cool shadow effects in the photos while today was virtually shadowless; but the photos are still cool :)

We spent most of the day on the endless crust as you saw in the first photo. But, at our highest point of the outing, we turn towards the backcountry huts which are situated amidst some somewhat dense trees. But, the trees are sparse enough that you can weave through the trees continuing on the firm crust. I really enjoy this slalom through the trees behind Jack & Rudy!

Swooshing through the trees - wheeee!

With the overcast skies, it did not feel as warm as yesterday despite the actual temperature being slightly warmer. The sun at 11,000 feet above sea level adds significant "feel heat" that does not happen with thick clouds. As a result, Rudy took the chance to give us a song instead of rolling snow angels at one turnaround point of the outing:

"WOOOOOOOOO!" sings beautiful voice Rudy.
Jack, of course, ALWAYS rolls snow angels regardless of the weather
or temperatures :)

But, it is still May, so the temperatures were near to slightly above freezing. That did not go unnoticed by Rudy at our next turnaround point of the day!

"Turnaround! Roll around!' goes the snow rolling sillies.
Which legs are Jack's and which are Rudy's? Hard to tell :)

The majority of the day, though, was spent flying along the wonderful and endless Spring Crust:

Ears pinned back - nice aerodynamics from the fast running sled dogs!

Now come along for a minute of what it is like to abandon set trails and glide anywhere you want atop the firm Spring Crust. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Once back to the trailhead and the smart kids made a beeline for the same high snow wall they found to climb yesterday. They do not forget anything!

Perched high up for treats yet again!

Another fun day atop Vail Pass: 8.2 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 144 days on the trails covering 1226.3 miles with 121,600 feet of elevation climbed.

Cautious to Speeding

Flying to the finish on this morning's fast skijor with smiles all around!

Wheeee!!!!! Such happy kids!

It was "ends of the spectrum" for conditions on this morning's outing. We started in the backcountry and found the trails to be quite slick and icy. Luckily, Jack & Rudy automatically know to proceed cautiously on such conditions. So, it was a gentle jog through the backcountry to start the outing.

Gentle going on slick & icy conditions.

Then, we transitioned onto the groomed trails at Gold Run Nordic Center. What did we find? We were FIRST on the freshly groomed upper loop at the nordic center. What did Jack & Rudy think of the fresh groom? Well, BOOM! Oh my, they were flooring it on the groomie zoomie after being so good and gentle for me on the slick backcountry trails.

Flying on the freshly groomed nordic trail! Zoom!

How much did they appreciate getting on the nordic trails and being able to go full throttle? Well, 25 MPH worth of appreciation as that is the top speed the GPS registered us hitting this morning. Come along for a glimpse into the fast & wild ride as Jack & Rudy topped 25 MPH during this stretch of the outing. Hang on human!!!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

We were going so fast that we did the upper nordic loop twice - first tracks on the first pass and second tracks (to ourselves) on the second pass. Finally, we transitioned onto the mani nordic trail to skijor back to the trailhead. While not first tracks on the main trail, we were third as only two skate skiers had been on this trail before us. Third tracks on a recent groom is still groomie zoomie conditions :)

The hover huskies catching air on the main trail as you can see two
sets of skate skis tracks on the trail before us.

What did Jack & Rudy think of the fresh groom?

"So fun, so fast! Need to roll and cool my jets!" declares snow rolling Jack.
"I approooooooooooooove!" woos signing Rudy.

Finally, back to the trailhead for some well earned end of run treats:

"We had a GREAT time today!" declares the happy, happy kids.

From cautious backcountry skijoring to full speed nordic skijoring all in the same outing: 9.3 miles traveled with 1000 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 25 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 109 days on the trails covering 932.1 miles with 91,000 feet of elevation climbed.

Years or Months?

Great shot from the front of happy Jack & Rudy flying on by as they tow me to the finish of this morning's awesome skijor!

Wheeee!

Now that Rudy's 6th birthday has come & gone, I can refer to Jack & Rudy as "the six year olds" (Jack turned 6 back in July). Today's outing started on single track trails in the backcountry; but we dropped onto the fast & wide trails of Gold Run Nordic Center after about 1.5 miles. The six year olds were really zipping around the trails this morning - such an impressive pair:

Catching air as the kids tow me up a slight rise in the trail. Cool!

But, then, at one point, all puppy broke out in front of me. 6 year olds? Yeah right, looked more like 6 month olds to me :)

Unauthorized play session breaking out in front of me!
"I triple dog dare you to play with me!" asserts play bowing Rudy.
"Can't turn down a triple dog dare, have at you!" responds Jack getting ready
to pounce :)

After a separation and short lecture from me on the difference between 6 years and 6 months, it was back to business skijoring and flying around the trails again.

Cool shot of the kids catching air in a full sprint stretch!

I love today's video highlight. I mentioned the other day that this particular trail has been re-routed at one point due to low snowpack so far this season. This re-route happens at about 25 seconds into today's video where the trail typically continues forward but veers right this season. On our pass by here the other day, Jack & Rudy slowed briefly as the trail had changed from past years. Today, though, there is not so much as a break in stride. You only need to show the smart kids a new trail once and they get it. Finally watch this clip at about 36 seconds in where the kids shift into another gear and literally take off along the trail. The GPS clocked us at 24 MPH along this speed burst. I was actually expected it to register 25 or 26 MPH as it felt that fast to me! Zoom!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Outside of the one unauthorized play session I showed above; it was zoom, zoom, zoom all morning long. We were going so fast that we were way ahead of schedule to meet Nancy at the trailhead. So, we did a quick out & back on a side trail near the trailhead. As we were on the side trail, the groomer came up the main trail. As a result, we got to be first tracks on the fresh groom for the last 1/2 mile or so of the outing!

First tracks on the fresh nordic corduroys!

Back to the trailhead where 6 year olds, not 6 month year olds, get end of run treats. Which do we have?

"Aw c'mon man, one little game of tag and you blow it out of
proportion!" says the happy 6 year olds quite proud of their
entire outing today!

Another wonderful nordic speed day: 9.6 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 24 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 50 days on the trails covering 421.6 miles with 40,200 feet of elevation climbed.

 

Rudy Birthday

Today is Rudy's 6th birthday and he THOROUGHLY enjoyed his birthday skijor!

"What wonderful birthday present - a fast & fun skijor!!!!" exclaims ecstatic Rudy.
"Birthday skijor? Lucky stiff!" adds Jack whose birthday is July 20th, so he
doesn't get a birthday skijor. But, he's happy to celebrate Rudy's with him :)

We went to Gold Run Nordic Center to celebrate Rudy's birthday. There are two "dogs allowed" trails at Gold Run but only one has been open and groomed so far this year. But, this all changed last Wednesday as the Preston Loop (our favorite of the two dog trails at Gold Run) finally collected enough snow to open for the season. Jack & Rudy were thrilled to get our first skijor sprint around the Preston Loop today!

Yay, Preston is open - let's FLY to celebrate!!!!

Today's video highlight has to be from skijoring the Preston Loop, of course. Come along and watch the fun, fun, fun. Note at about 26 seconds into the clip and Jack & Rudy slow a bit. In a good snow year this trail continues straight ahead through what is an unmaintained path through the trees. But, we have had a less than average snow year so far (the reason Preston hasn't opened until this week). As a result, the loop has been modified to veer right onto a forest service road. This right versus straight has never existed in Jack & Rudy's skijoring career. Thus the reason they slow a bit. I simply call out "Right" and then "Good boys" as Jack & Rudy get the detour and floor it again. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

As you probably noticed in the photo/video above, the Preston Loop is quite shaded most of the way. Once done doing that loop, we connect onto the other dogs allowed trail to complete the outing. This next trail is VERY sun exposed as you can see below:

The flying kids again on a freshly groomed trail with cool snow poofs
flying off their feet.

We were so thrilled to have the Preston Loop open that we skijored around the loop twice. But, before you restart a loop, you must stop, drop and roll :)

"Need to roll and cool our jets before sprinting around the loop again!" declares
the snow rolling sillies.

Next, we concluded the outing by putting smiles on the faces of skiers we encountered (6 in all - this group of 2, another group of 3 and solo skier):

"Hi!!! Bye!!! Made you smile!" says Jack & Rudy to the oncoming skiers
in awe of the fun sled dogs towing me along.

Finally, back to the trailhead for end of run treats to complete Rudy's birthday bash!

"Ready!" says the happy & focused kids.
Wow is that a BRIGHT sun behind the kids!!!

What a birthday treat for Rudy getting to finally skijor our favorite trail at Gold Run: 9.7 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 24 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 48 days on the trails covering 401.7 miles with 38,200 feet of elevation climbed.

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Jack & Rudy, the happy little elves, towing me in my Santa hat to the end of this morning's holiday skijor.

The jolly kids always have a smile on their faces when skijoring!

This morning's outing took us back to French Gulch which we skijored yesterday.  Why return to the same trail two days in a row? Well, as expected, French Gulch got plowed after we were done skijoring yesterday. But, there was light snowfall and cold temperatures all day yesterday and last night. This meant we had a nice layer of new snow on the otherwise plowed, but frozen, ground. There was just enough new snow and minimal trail damage due to cold temperatures to open up the throttle again and again...

They flying kids floating over the trail.
Note we are laying fresh tracks in new snow in this shot and you can also
see our "out tracks" to our left.

Enough new snow for flying means enough new snow for hovering :)

The hover huskies catching air.

Now come along for some video fun from the morning. We start this clip with Jack & Rudy towing me up a gentle rise in the trail. Why pull the human up the rise? Well, because the other side of a rise is a downhill run; so let's get the human up quickly so we can sprint the other side!!! Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

As with yesterday (and every trip to French Gulch), eventually Jack & Rudy catch the scent of moose in the area (usually more than once). When the smell is strong, you must pause to peek into the gulch for the big moose!

"We smell moose!" declares the moose seeking kids.
As with yesterday, we did spot a moose in the deep snow across the
gulch but it was too far away to show up on camera.

Back to the trailhead and time of end of run Christmas treats! I somehow misplaced my red Santa hat this past year, so I'm now decked out in my blue Denver Bronco Santa hat.

"We were very good boys today and this ENTIRE year!" says the happy,
fun kids.

The only downside of this morning's outing? Well, it was -11 F outside when we started our skijor and -10 F when we finished (yes, that is "11 below zero"). As a result, I cut the outing shorter than usual to preserve the human in such cold temperatures (Jack & Rudy thought it was lovely out): 5.2 miles traveled with 400 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 21 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 44 days on the trails covering 366.4 miles with 34,700 feet of elevation climbed.