Sled dog races called off due to thin snow

A prolonged mid-winter warm spell has taken its toll on another Flathead Valley event. The Flathead Classic Sled Dog Races were called off Sunday due to poor trail conditions.

Race organizer Brett Svetlik said the course near Olney was in very good shape as recently as last weekend, but after driving the route on Sunday it was obvious the annual races couldn't go on.

According to race organizers, the area used for the Flathead Classic was logged earlier in the season, leaving the road with little snow. While plenty of snow accumulated in January, the trails have been reduced to bare ground, ice and slush after a warm and rainy February. 

Long-range forecasts continue to show above normal warmth sticking around for the next week.

Dog mushers are being encouraged to roll their entries over to next year’s race and sponsors will be held-over for the 2017 race.

Earlier this month the Montana Pond Hockey Classic in Kalispell was cancelled because of thin ice. The outdoor hockey tournament was to be held Feb. 19 – 21 on Foy’s Lake. Tournament organizers say next year they will look to move the event into January in order to provide more winter-like conditions.

The Flathead Classic will still host a fundraiser at Bonsai Brewing Project in Whitefish on March 1 from 5-8 p.m. The brewery is donating $1 from every glass of beer served that night plus tips to next year’s Flathead Classic.  There will be race merchandise for sale that night designed by Svetlik which will also be used for next year’s race.