The organizers held Winterfest 2023 in Pagosa Springs, Colorado from January 20th to January 22nd. Despite the weather disrupting the hot air balloon ascension, the snowstorms provided an ample base for events such as Skijoring, Snow Sledding, Cross Country Skiing, BB Gun Biathlon, and others. The bitter cold temperatures enhanced the excitement of the Penguin Plunge.
Penguin Plunge
In January, the bitter cold in Pagosa Springs amplified the madness of the Penguin Plunge. Participants dove into the San Juan River by the Visitor’s center and swam down the river to a designated exit area. The length of time each participant spent in the 31-degree Fahrenheit water ranged from 30 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on their swimming speed. It was just crazy.
Three main teams entered the plunge this year and raised over $20k for several charities. Spectators lined the downtown San Juan river western bank and overlook to watch the different teams.
Sledz on Rez
Sledz on Rez is a unique and popular event during the Winterfest 2023 weekend. After watching the Penguin Plunge in the river, everyone walks over to the base of Reservoir Hill at the sledding course. Entrants build themed sleds to race down the track as fast as possible without destroying their creative sled. Kids are captaining the sleds, but it’s a whole family affair in the building process. Judges score the run including the creativity of the sled and costume. This year plenty of snow was available to build a course for the race.
Pagosa Nordic Club BB Gun Biathlon
One might watch the biathlon during the winter Olympics and understand that a cross country skier races against time to finish a course while having to shoot at targets. Miss a target and receive a time penalty. The Pagosa Nordic Club runs the BB Gun Biathlon for all ages in Yamaguchi park. Watching the skiers trying to complete the course as quickly as they can in addition to trying to stay calm and shoot at targets is impressive. Imagine running a mile or two and then having to slow your heart-rate down in order to accurately shoot at a target. That’s exactly what these skiers have to do in order to win.
Skis and Saddles Skijor Pagosa
Skijor Pagosa is the main weekend event at Winterfest and the 3rd stop on the Skijor USA schedule. With 30 skijor races on the schedule throughout Canada and the U.S., it’s a growing event. Course redesign from last year’s event will test the riders. Feedback from the skijor participants is that the course is more difficult than last year’s course. Saturday night’s event consisted of a performance by Float Like a Buffalo at the Red Ryder Rodeo grounds.
Horses drag their “riders” through an obstacle course constructed at the Archuleta fairgrounds using a rope. The fastest riders win cash and prizes. Incurring a 5-second penalty for missing obstacles and gates. Over two days, spectators enjoy watching teams run the course multiple times, as the teams compete in different divisions to accommodate varying skill levels.
Many Skijor photos are available on the Winterfest 2022 page