Utah hosts first ever dog sled race in Uinta Mountains amidst snow shortage

UINTA MOUNTAIN RANGE, Utah (ABC4) — Sled dog races across the Northwest are facing cancellations due to a serious lack of snow, sending rippling disappointment through the sled dog teams that look forward to these events each year. However, Utah came to the rescue by hosting a race of its own.

The Rocky Mountain Triple Crown sled dog races take place annually in ranges in Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, but since 2026 has offered a nearly snowless winter, none of those races have been able to run. In order to lift the spirits of teams that have been training, two Utah sled dog mushers are coming together to put on what they say is their first sled dog race in Utah, offering teams a place to compete.

Wade and Dallin Donaldson, mushers of Bear Ridge Adventures Dog Sledding in Utah, put on what they say is their first sled dog race in Utah. this weekend. The race, aptly titled the Utah Uinta Ultimate, took place in the Uintah Mountain Range.

A video provided to ABC4 by the race organizers shows one sled dog team racing to the finish line.

Though Utah has also suffered a lack of snow this winter, its conditions are better suited than other parts of the Northwest.

“Usually, we have better snow conditions, and the trails are normally a little bit better than what they are now,” Wade said. ” But we do have enough to do it, so we have been really happy to host the race.”

There are 24 teams participating in the race overall. 16 teams are participating in a 15 mile per day race, and eight teams are participating in a 100-mile race split into 50-mile legs.

Dallin told ABC4 that several mushers have reported feeling undertrained this year due to the lack of snow. He added that this is the reason that the Utah Uinta Ultimate is offering a 15-mile race option.

Wade added that the Uinta Mountains are the perfect place to hold a race like this.

“The great thing about the Uinta Mountains is that we are starting at higher elevations, so there is better snow here, there are cooler temperatures, and the Uintas in Utah just have some really beautiful trails,” he said.

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This race comes on the heels of several avalanches that have taken the lives of Utah skiers over the past few weeks. According to Wade, the Uintas were chosen as the host for this race because the avalanche risk in the range is low, but that they are still aware that the risk is there. The racers will be sharing the trails with snowmobiles as well, so “to make sure that the dog teams stay safe with the machines on the trail, we have stationed a couple of signs on the trail,” Wade said.

The event also employs Utah State University Veterinarian students that help ensure that the sled dogs are well cared for.

The Donaldsons said that they hope to make the Utah Uinta Ultimate an annual event.

“It’s a really small community of really great people. We are fortunate to be involved in that community. This is a group of people that we love. It’s a sport that we love. All of us just want to be out here and spend some time with our dogs in the mountains, Wade said. “It is really cool for us to get together with our friends and the other mushers who I think are like-minded individuals and just enjoy the trails, enjoy the great outdoors, and spend our time loving on the dogs.”

Find out more about the Utah Uinta Ultimate on their website.

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