Idaho Sled Dog Challenge rebounds from summer wildfires
The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is returning to the West Central Mountains of Idaho from Jan. 27 to Feb. 5 for its seventh year. Pictured here Jan. 29, 2018, at the official start of the inaugural 300-mile race, a sled dog team champs at the bit to take off.
Melissa Shelby photo
CASCADE — Several changes are coming to the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge in late January and early February as the Iditarod qualifier marks its seventh annual run in 2025.
The most significant difference: The 300-mile race has been modified to a 200-mile event with the loss of part of the trail required to reach the Smiths Ferry checkpoint after the Boulder and Lava fires consumed a bridge this summer.
Race organizers are expanding the event to include Sled Dog Week on Jan. 27-31, featuring sled dog movies at the Ponderosa Center in McCall, a bingo night at Foresters in McCall, a trivia night at Broken Horn Brewing Co. in McCall and similar events in New Meadows and at Tamarack Resort to be announced soon. In addition, Hotel NoBo in Cascade recently named its wine bar Checkpoint in honor of the annual race and plans to be involved in Sled Dog Week.
Meet the Mushers on Feb. 1 is transforming into a larger affair staged simultaneously at Hotel NoBo and Tamarack Resort. Previously featuring one local musher and their team, this year's installment will involve several of the mushers and their teams. Race organizers are printing posters attendees can purchase for $5 that mushers will autograph for fans for free at the event.
The 52-mile Warm Lake Stage Race, which is designed for mushers new to the sport or running new sled dog teams, starts and finishes at North Shore Lodge & Resort on Jan. 29-30. The Ceremonial Start, presented by Brundage Mountain Resort at the McCall Activity Barn, is slated for Feb. 2.
The vet checks are also scheduled for Feb. 2, with the 200-mile team checks at the Ridley's parking lot in McCall around 10 a.m. and the 100-mile teams at the McCall Activity Barn following the Ceremonial Start. And the 200-mile and 100-mile races start Feb. 3 at the Lake Cascade State Park boat ramp.
Organizers expect the 100-mile race to end Feb. 4 at the Wye Trailhead and Campground checkpoint off U.S. Route 95, about 6 miles west of New Meadows. Mushers and their teams are expected to cross the 200-mile race finish line at the Wye checkpoint Feb. 5.
One of the most grueling mushing competitions on the planet due to its topography, the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge features world-class mushers. It is one of only three Iditarod qualifiers in the lower 48. The Iditarod is considered the longest and the toughest sled dog race in the world.
Five Idaho Sled Dog Challenge finishers competed in the 2024 Iditarod, with one of them, Josi Thyr (Olney, Mont.), who won ISDC's 300-mile race in 2022 and took second place in 2023 and 2020, awarded the Iditarod's 2024 Rookie of the Year.
The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is part of the Rocky Mountain Triple Crown, which includes the Eagle Cap Extreme on Jan. 22-25 near Joseph, Ore., and the Race to the Sky on Feb. 7-11 near Helena, Mont.