2024 Race to the Sky canceled

Despite the recent cold snap and ensuing snowstorm that dropped a foot of snow on Lincoln, snow conditions remain poor enough that the Montana Sled Dog board of directors decided to cancel the 2024 Race to the Sky, which had been slated to run Feb.9-13.

The announcement came Monday morning, Jan. 22, as weather forecasts called for a return to unseasonably warm weather throughout the rest of January.

"The lack of snow, no base to build from, predictions of no significant snow precipitation in the near forecast and above average temps were the reason for cancelling the race," the board said in their press release. "It is a difficult decision and was not made without much deliberation and consideration for the care and safety of the teams."

The cancellation marks only the third time in its 38-year history that the long-distance dog sled race has been called off. Most recently, COVID-19 restrictions led to the event being nixed in 2021. It's been nearly 20 years since poor snow conditions canceled the race. In 2005, a lack of snow meant the race route was largely comprised of ice and rock, rather than snow.

Though the race wasn't canceled in 2015, poor snow and rain around Lincoln and Rimini prompted organizers to move the start of the race to Morrell Creek north of Seeley Lake, where snow was adequate for the dogs to race safely.

In 2022, Nicole Lombardi was the first musher from Lincoln in more than a decade to take part in the race, and last year took first-place in the 100-mile race. Seeley Lake's Jessie Royer racked up her seventh win in the Race to the Sky last year. Both were registered for this year's race before it was canceled.

"We thank all the volunteers, sponsors and teams for their support and look forward to you all joining us for the 2025 Race to the Sky," the race organizers said.