Photo by Lance Cheung

Best in Snow Skijoring Races to be held Saturday, February 18, 2023!

The 2023 Best in Snow Skijoring Races will be held on Saturday, February 18th at the Pincushion Mountain Trails above beautiful Grand Marais, MN. The event is held in conjunction with the North Superior Ski & Run Club’s Pincushion Winter Festival. We will offer two freestyle events; 7 km and 3 km, each with a one dog max per skier. Skijoring races begin at 2:30 pm, CST.

Dog Days of Winter Dog Sled Derbies and Skijoring Races to be held in March 12, 2023!

Get ready to harness up those canines and head to Trail Center Lodge for a day with the dogs on beautiful Poplar Lake located halfway up the Gunflint Trail! Go Dog is teaming up again with Trail Center Lodge and Cook County Dog Mushers Inc. to offer three classes of sled dog derbies and two classes of skijoring races!

There will be a 2.5 mile race and a 5 mile skijoring race to choose from. Both races are freestyle (skate or classic), have a max of two dogs per skier and will take place entirely on Poplar Lake. The entry fee for the shorter race is $15 and $30 for the 5 mile race.

Dog sled derbies will start at 11 am and will be followed by skijoring races at 2 pm.

This is a truly wonderful spectator event so bring your friends and family and make a day of it! Unless you are participating in the race, please leave your pets at home while the event is taking place.

Email godognorthshore@gmail.com for info or follow the GDNS and Dog Days of Winter Facebook pages.

Dog Days of Winter Dog Sled Derbies and Skijoring Races to be held in March 13, 2022!

Email godognorthshore@gmail.com for info or follow the GDNS and Dog Days of Winter Facebook pages.

The results from the 2020 Dog Days of Winter Skijoring Races are in:

2.5 Mile Race

Skier Dog Trail Time

1.) Meghan Smith + Bailey 19:03

2.) Liv Thompson + Louise 20:10

3.) Lena Morgan + 2 dogs 34:15

4.) Carol O'Connor + Nadia 41:31

5 Mile Race

Skier Dog Trail Time

1.) Scott Dahlquist + Lucy & Frieda 30:50

2.) Adam Mella + Arrow 48:09

3.) Aiden Windebank + Ursa 49:40

4.) Margaret Raasch + Louie 49:49

5.) Kelly Regnier + Remi 1:03:18

The results of the 2020 Best in Snow Skijoring Races are in!

7 KM Race

Skier & Dog Hometown Trail Time

1.) Matthew Schoales & Riddick Thunder Bay, ONT 23:49

2.) Matt Nesheim & Louise Grand Marais, MN 25:11

3.) Kristi Nixon & Ellie Duluth, MN 26:06

4.) Brianne Wood & Mavi Thunder Bay, ONT 28:17

5.) Sieja Grant & Diego Thunder Bay, ONT 28:30

6.) Adrian Hess & Mowgli Lutsen, MN 29:07

7.) Dave Sokolowski & Nessi Thunder Bay, ONT 29:23

8.) Adam Mella & Arrow Grand Marais, MN 32:45

3 KM Race

1.) Jonathan Long & Watson Thunder Bay, ONT 12:11

2.) Eve Graves & Lupine Duluth, MN 13:49

3.) Kristin Worheide & Enza Ely, MN 15:03

4.) Patty Johnson & Newt Grand Marais, MN 20:16

5.) Sarah Dragswick & Suka Grand Marais, MN

2020 Dog Days of Winter Sled Dog Derbies and Skijoring Races

The 2020 Dog Days of Winter will once again be held at Trail Center Lodge, half way up the historic Gunflint Trail on Saturday, March 7th.

Three classes of sled dog derbies will be held:
8 dog 20-23 miles entry fee $40.00
6 dog 10-12 miles entry fee $30.00
4 dog 3-3.5 miles entry fee $20.00
Sled Dog Derby entry fees support Cook County Dog Mushers Inc.

Two classes of skijoring races will be offered (max of 2 dogs per skier):
2 mile race entry fee $10.00
5 mile race entry fee $15.00
Skjoring race entry fees support Go Dog North Shore.

All skill levels and ages welcomed and encouraged. Please leave your pets at home!

2020 Best in Snow Skijoring Race

The 2020 Best in Snow Skijoring Race will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 in conjunction with the Pincushion Mountain Winter Festival in Grand Marais, MN. Two classes of races will be held, a 3 km and 7 km both, with a one dog limit per skier. Both races will be held on the Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails. Hope to see you and your canine athlete there! Register the day of the event or in advance through the North Superior Ski & Run Club’s website here.

2019 Dog Days of Winter Skijor Race Results

2.5 Mile Race Results:

1.) Erin Claeys & Tundra 24:10

2.) Allison Long & Mecca 25:00

3.) Adam Mella & Arrow 27:43

4.) Caleb Mathison & Tika 28:18

5.) Patty Johnson & Kota 28:48

6.) Carol O’Conner & Nadia 46:55

5 Mile Race Results:

1.) Anna Hennessy & Diez 44:45

2.) Hannah Miller & Ada 46:48

3.) Michael Lindquist & Buck 47:10

4.) Seija Grant & Diego 49:55

5.) Chris O’Brien & Guster DNF

The 2019 Best in Snow Skijoring Race result are in!

February 17, 2019

Congratulations to all of the dogs and their humans on a great race! Big thanks to our sponsor Camp Chow, the North Superior Ski and Run Club for hosting us and the US Forest Service for issuing a special use permit for the event. Until next year…

3 KM Skijoring Race

Place Skier Dog Home Town Time

1 Kayla Schoales Rogue Thunder Bay, ON 0:13:45:5

2 Chris O’Brien Guster Grand Marais, MN 0:13:56.5

3 Erin Claeys Tundra Thunder Bay, ON 0:14:53:8

4 Patty Johnson Koda Grand Marais, MN 0:15:26.4

5 Todd Miller Pucky Grand Marais, MN 0:17:46:7

6 Trish Francis Fiona Hovland, MN 0:19:06:2

7 KM Skijoring Race

1 Seija Grant Diego Thunder Bay, ON 0:22:40:9

2 Mattew Schoales Riddick Thunder Bay, ON 0:25::32:4

3 Allison Long Watson Thunder Bay, ON 0:26:24:9

4 Matt Neisheim Louise Grand Marais, MN 0:27:13:5

5 Michael Monroe Roady Grand Marais, MN 0:28:02:8

6 Kevin Shorthouse Hanes Thunder Bay, ON 0:30:26:3

7 Sonia Kaminski Willow Thunder Bay, ON 0:30:51:2

8 Brienne Wood Maui Thunder Bay, ON 0:33:19:7

9 Marco Good Frankie Grand Marais, MN 0:29:39:9 (took a short cut)

Skijor 2019!

Pincushion Mountain Winter Festival: Sunday, February 17, 2019

GDNS and the North Superior Ski & Run Club will host a day of cross country and skijoring races at the Pincushion Mountain Trail system in Grand Marais, MN. A 3 km and 7 km skijoring race will be offered in the afternoon. There is a one dog max per skier. Send us an email at godognorthshore@gmail.com for details!

Dog Days of Winter: Sunday, March 10, 2019

GDNS, Cook County Dog Mushers Inc. and Trail Center Lodge will offer a day of dog sled derbies and skijoring races on beautiful Poplar Lake! There will be a 2.5 mile and 5 mile race with a 2-dog max per skier. All ski levels and ages welcome!

Skijor 2018

Pincushion Winter Family Festival: Sunday, February 18, 2018

GDNS will once again partner with the North Superior Ski & Run Club to offer a 7 km and 3 km skijoring races at the 2018 Winter Family Festival. The event will take place on the immaculately groomed Pincushion Mountain Trails above beautiful Grand Marais, MN. On-site registration.

Dog Days of Winter: Sunday, March 11, 2018

Go Dog will also host another race as a part of the Dog Days of Winter on March 11th on beautiful Poplar Lake. There will be two races offered, a 2.5 mile race and a 5 mile race. There is a limit of two dogs per skier for each race. The event will also offer three dog sled races of varying length. Follow the Dog Days of Winter Facebook page for updates.

Skijor 2017

Pincushion Winter Carnival: Sunday, February 12, 2017

GDNS will once again partner with the North Superior Ski & Run Club to offer a 7 km and 3 km skijoring races at the 2017 Pincushion Winter Carnival. The event will take place on the immaculately groomed Pincushion Mountain Trails above beautiful Grand Marais, MN. Registration information and details will posted in the the coming weeks.

Dog Days of Winter: Sunday, March 12, 2017

Go Dog will also host another race as a part of the Dog Days of Winter on March 12th on beautiful Poplar Lake. There will be two races offered, a 2.5 mile race and a 5 mile race. There is a limit of two dogs per skier for each race. The event will also offer three dog sled races of varying length. Follow the Dog Days of Winter Facebook page for updates.

Skijor 2016

Dog Days of Winter: Sunday, March 13th - CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF SNOW

Go Dog will also host another race as a part of the Dog Days of Winter on March 13th on beautiful Poplar Lake. There will be two races offered, a 2.5 mile race and a 5 mile race. There is a limit of two dogs per skier for each race. There is a $10 entry fee for the 2.5 mile race and a $15 fee for the 5 mile race. Follow the Dog Days of Winter Facebook page for updates.

Best in Snow: Sunday, February 14th 3 pm

Go Dog will once again partner with the North Superior Ski and Run Club to offer the 2016 "Best in Snow" on February 14 at the Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails in Grand Marais, MN. We will offer a 3 km race and a 7 km race with classic and skating options available for each race. There is a limit of one dog per skier for both races. Registration will be available on site from 2:00 pm until 2:45 pm. Races will begin at 3:00 pm. We will provide a 30 second interval start. There is a $10 entry fee for the 3 km race and a $20 fee for the 7 km race.

2016 Best in Snow Results

Skier Dog Home Town Time

3 KM
1st = Michael Monroe & Pucky of Grand Marais, MN 9:04
2nd = Michael Holberg & Kiera of Blaine, MN 13:23
3rd = Katrina St. Clair & Marley of Blaine, MN 13:25
4th = Olya Wright & Tashka of Grand Marais, MN 13:31
5th = Sally Mellang & Rev of Lutsen, MN 13:45
6th = Emma Crook & Luke of Grand Marais, MN 14:44

7 KM (+/- a KM or 2!)
1st = Joe Gans & Hutcher of Hibbing, MN
2nd = Frank Moe & Bart of Hovland, MN
3rd = Lisa Boulay & Shasta of Bemidji, MN
4th = Matt Nesheim & Avery of Grand Marais, MN
5th = Luke Schwartz & Sarge of Duluth, MN
6th = Patty Johnson & Autum of Grand Marais, MN
7th = Steve Boo & Linney of Chisago City, MN
8th = Marco Good, Frankie & Zay Zay of Grand Marais, MN

The results from Go Dog North Shore's 2015 "Best in Snow Skijor Race" are in!

7 km Race
     Skier                   Dog                      Trail Time
1.) Rachel Seim & Oulak         22:22
2.) Kyle Gill & Earl Grey              22:44
3.) Marco Good & Frankie       37:08
4.) Michael Monroe & Pucky 38:32
5.) Cory Belt & Bela                            42:44

3 km Race
Skier    Dog                        Trail Time
1.) Becky Bartol & Charles    11:03
2.) Cathy Quinn & Lucky LaRoux 14:03
3.) Barb Heideman & Robi               16:01
4.) Emma Crook & Luke                   17:45

Enjoy these beautiful images captured by Tofte, Minnesota photographer Tom Spence at the 2015 "Best in Snow".

GO DOG NORTH SHORE TO HOST 2015 “BEST IN SNOW SKIJOR RACE”

Go Dog North Shore in partnership with the North Superior Ski and Run Club will host the 2015 Best in Snow Skijor Races at the Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails in Grand Marais, MN on Sunday, February 15th. This year, a non-competitive 3 km race will be held on the East and West Overlook Loops and a 7 km, 1-dog free-style competitive race will be held on the Pincushion Mountain Loop. These impeccably maintained cross-country ski trails are normally off-limits to dogs but an exception has been made in order to create this fantastic skijor race. The race is a part of the newly created Pincushion Mountain Winter Festival.

Registration information is available here.

Go Dog North Shore appreciates the support of the following partners and sponsors who make "Best in Snow" possible:

Final Results from the 2014 "Best in Snow"!

4 mile race

1st Rachael Seim & Oulak, Hovland,MN 28:02

2nd Mike Schultonover & Smoke, Shoreview, MN 28:10

3rd Cathy Quinn & Lucky LaRoux, Grand Marais, MN 32:55

4th Lisa Boulay & Shasta, Bemidji, MN 33:47

5th Mike Nelson & Willow, Grand Marais, MN 35:35

6th Lorraine Paloniemi & Lumi, Ste St Marie, ONT 37:25

7th Amy Peterson & Titus, Grand Marais, MN, 37:32

8th Jorma Paloniemi & Nomad, Ste St Marie, ONT 38:44

2 mile race

1st Mike Schultonover & Shadow, Shoreview, MN 15:46

2nd Patty Johnson & Luke, Grand Marais, MN 18:05

3rd Barb Heideman & Robi, Grand Marais, MN 28:14

4th Mary Manning & 1 of 15 sled dogs , Hovland, MN, 28:53

5th Trish Francis & Hunter, Hovland, MN, 28:55

6th Karen Blackburn & Rowdy, Grand Marais, MN 30:01

7th Scott Michel & Nanook, Grand Marais, MN 31:05

8th Julie Bishop & 1 of 15 sled dogs , Hovland, MN

Go Dog North Shore is pleased to announce the first ever “Best in Snow Skijor Race” to be held Saturday, March 1st, 2014 at the George Washington Pines Ski Trail outside of Grand Marais, Minnesota. The “Best in Snow Skijor Race” is a fun event that celebrates our relationships with our dogs, encourages us to live active lifestyles with our dogs, utilizes local dog-friendly ski trails, promotes the sport of skijoring and fosters partnerships with local business’s, non-profits, government agencies and individuals.

The event will feature two timed races; a two mile race and a four mile race. Each race will be capped at fifteen teams. Teams are limited to one dog per skier. The “Best in Snow Skijor Race” will be held in conjunction with the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s community-wide active living campaign “Move It” during the month of February. Local skijorers are encouraged to participate in “Move It” as a way to prepare for the “Best in Snow Skijor Race” on March 1st. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams in each race.

Skijoring is a winter sport where a person on cross-country skis is pulled by a dog. The “Best in Snow Skijor Race” is a fundraiser for Go Dog North Shore and is geared towards experienced skijorers as well as beginners.

Go Dog North Shore is a new non-profit organization based in Grand Marais that aims to promote healthy and active human and dog relationships on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior. Contact Cathy Quinn at (218) 370-9494 or quinn@boreal.org for more information about the “Best in Snow Skijor Race” including details on registration and volunteer opportunities. Registration Forms are available for download here.

2014 "Best in Snow" Registered Teams as of 2/24/2014

Two Mile Race:

1.) Joni Scheftel and Hobo from Mayer, Minnesota

2.) Julie Bishop and "undecided" (1 of 15 sled dogs to choose from!) from Hovland, Minnesota

3.) Mary Manning and "undecided" (1 of 15 sled dogs to choose from!) from Hovland, Minnesota

4.) Barb Heideman and Robi from Grand Marais, Minnesota

5.) Karen Blackburn and Rowdy from Grand Marais, Minnesota

6.) Scott Michel and Nanook from Grand Marais, Minnesota

7.) Mike Schultenover and Smoke from Shoreview, Minnesota

8.) Patty Johnson and Luke from Grand Marais, Minnesota

Four Mile Race:

1.) Amy Peterson and Titus from Grand Marais, Minnesota