The 100-mile and 300-mile races of the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge based at McCall have been called off by organizers for lack of snow.
It’s the second time in three years the race that serves as a qualifier for the Iditarod has been altered by poor snow coverage. The 100-mile and 300-mile circuits were nixed in 2024 as well.
That year, the shorter Warm Lake Stage Lake was held and organizers hope that will happen this year as well. It is scheduled for Jan. 29 and 30. But it will depend on snow accumulation. They plan to make a final determination by Jan. 15.
The races were to begin Feb. 3 and the organizers made the announcement Thursday.
“We assessed the trails yesterday, and critical safety areas are either down to gravel or have only a few inches of snow, with no solid base to ensure a safe course for our dogs and mushers,” organizer Jerry Wortley said in a news release. “Despite tracking weather forecasts closely, we have low confidence that conditions will improve in time to provide a safe trail.”
Lack of snow has plagued much of the state, even though precipitation levels are at or above average. According to the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Payette River basin, where the Sled Dog Challenge is held, has a snowpack measuring just 60 percent of average despite receiving 113 percent of its average precipitation.
The race that dates back to 2018 has become popular with locals and tourists.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude to our mushers, fans, volunteers, spectators and our wonderful sponsors, who have put in their time, energy, and dedication to make this race possible,” Wortley said in the news release. “Unfortunately, this year, the distance races are just not in the cards.”
The Eagle Cap Extreme based out of Joseph, Oregon, is scheduled to be held Jan 21 -24.