Flathead Sled Dog Days is gearing up for its fifth annual dog sled race Jan. 6-8. Race organizers have partnered with the Whitefish Winter Carnival to become part of their festivities next month.

As a kick-off, Great Northern Brewing Company will donate $1 to Flathead Sled Dog Days of all regular priced pints sold on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 4 p.m. to close that night. Everyone is invited to join them in supporting the local dog sled race. As part of this fundraiser, Flathead Sled Dog Days will be holding a raffle for a complete skijoring package which includes a skijoring belt, bungee, panic snap, tugline and snap, a harness for your dog and a book about skijoring. 

Skijoring is growing in popularity because any dog with the desire to pull can take part in this sport.  In addition to the belt, there will be other dog-related prizes in the raffle including this year's race print, dogsled rides, and more.  Get your tickets at Great Northern that night for $2 apiece or 3 for $5.

Flathead Sled Dog Days kicks off Jan. 6 at noon with the Grouse Mountain Vet Check. Come visit the dogs in the parking lot and watch them get physicals from sled dog veterinarians.  School groups are encouraged to participate, too.

Later that day will be a ceremonial parade of dogs on the soccer fields next to Grouse Mountain and the tennis courts. Watch the smaller teams run at night and get to know the dogs and mushers.

Saturday, Jan. 7, the royalty from the Whitefish Winter Carnival will open the race at the Olney Trailhead about 18 miles north of Whitefish. The horn blowing and a short ride down the trail by dogsled will take place at 10 a.m. Racers in the 12-dog distance race will immediately start their races as well as the 8 dog class and shortly after will be the 4 dog class race.

Sunday, the mushers will again start in reverse order from slowest team to fastest team to run the trail and see who wins each event.

The race is in need of volunteers to help at the vet check, staging of the ceremonial parade of dogs, the start and out at the turn-around of the race on Saturday, and again at the start and turn-around on Sunday.

If you can help, please visit online at www.flatheadsleddogdays.com or call 471-9846. Entries are expected from all over the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and the Midwest.