jbulger@journalnet.com

For years, one of the more chilling rides during the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello has actually been several miles away from the bull and bronc riding ring at Holt Arena.

Cowboys and cowgirls have doffed their chaps and donned warmer duds to ride a bucking barrel on skis down the slopes of Pebble Creek Ski Area near Inkom.

The DNCFR has traditionally kicked off in mid-March in Pocatello, allowing cowboys and cowgirls to break from the rodeo dust and cavort in the snow near Inkom. However, a decision to move the rodeo to mid-April imperiled the barrel-ski race this year, because by mid-April the ski area will have closed for the season.

But rather than scratch the annual barrel-ski race, Pebble Creek will simply change its focus.

"We have barrel racing this year," Pebble Creek Director Mary Reichman said. "We've teamed up with the high school rodeo teams. We'll have high school division and older teams."

Reichman thinks the change might actually benefit participation.

"Before, with it being on a Thursday, not a lot of our locals ever saw the event or participated, so this actually has the potential to be a whole lot of fun," she said.

The event is set for 1 p.m., Saturday, March 21. Each division is limited to 30 teams. As before, a team consists of one rider who sits atop the barrel that has attached skis and two other team members who act as drovers, holding tethers to try to control the barrel's descent.

"We already know that Preston and Soda Springs are sending their kids on school buses," Reichman said. "I think that's really cool. I think we have some other schools that are going to bring buses, too."