WALLACE – For at least one weekend, the best skiing in North Idaho wasn’t on a mountain slope; it was along the streets of downtown Wallace. 

Despite historically warm weather and a glaring lack of snow on the ground, Ski Wallace’s annual Extreme Skijor went off without a hitch. 

Unlike traditional skijoring, which uses horses, the Wallace version features skiers and snowboarders being pulled by ATVs as they show off their best jumps and tricks along the course. 

“It was so good,” Ski Wallace Director Siobhan Curet said. “We had a great crowd, awesome competitors, honestly, it was one of the best events we’ve had.” 

Before the event, there were concerns over course conditions due to a perceived lack of available snow. Those worries proved unnecessary, as organizers had more than enough snow stockpiled throughout town to build the course to the same size as in previous years. 

“All of this snow came from inside Wallace, from the beginning of January,” Curet said. “We didn’t go up into the mountains and take any snow. This was 100% organic Wallace snow.” 

Curet said the snow’s texture made it easy to shape and required less grooming than in past years. 

Thousands lined Cedar Street, jostling for a better view of the high-speed daredevils. 

“The town was packed,” Curet said. “Even when the weather wasn’t cooperating. It was such an awesome turnout. I know I say this every year, but this was the best we’ve ever had.” 

Curet said the event even saw several firsts, adding new highlights to what is already a highlight-driven weekend. 

Some of those moments included stunts like two skiers performing a tandem backflip, while others were more personal, such as a couple getting married on Valentine’s Day and then riding through the course together. 

But for Curet, the biggest and most meaningful addition was the inclusion of two young girls competing in the event’s first youth girls division rail jam on Friday night. 

“I really want to get more youth girls involved, and I literally cried with happiness looking at pictures on Saturday morning,” Curet said. “Watching the little girl rail jam winners was so amazing, they were so proud and I know that feeling will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Love seeing them do something that is a challenge and to know they can do anything they set their mind to.” 

More than $10,000 was awarded during the event, the largest prize purse in Extreme Skijor history. 

On the men’s side, Tanner Blakely, Ethan Bruse and Owen Hedgecock were the top three skiers. Aiden Hazan, Shane Keller and Owen Cline were the top three snowboarders. In the women’s division, Rachel Pitman won the ski event, while Alyssa Trolani, Curet and Krystle Folland reached the podium for snowboarding. Pitman placed fourth in the women’s snowboard division, and Curet donated her winnings to her.