Skijoring and more: Salt lake hosts winter roundup celebration

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Visit Salt Lake enthusiastically launched the Salt Lake Winter Roundup, a celebration named “Rounding Up Sports, Arts and Culture” that showcased the city’s rich sports and cultural background. The event took the spotlight in downtown Salt Lake, introducing one of the nation’s inaugural urban Skijoring events—a captivating blend of ski racing and rodeo—complemented by a festive village set up in front of Abravanel Hall, a leading arts venue in Salt Lake County. The event began with a thrilling display as former Olympic alpine skiers, including gold medalist Picabo Street, raced through the city streets on skis pulled by galloping horses. This Skijoring competition underscored Utah’s status as a top winter sports destination, drawing both locals and visitors. Collaborations with Staker Parson for snow transportation and the Days of ’47 Rodeo, a historic Utah tradition, enriched the event’s celebration of Utah’s heritage dating back to 1847.

The festival’s Village, located at Abravanel Hall Plaza, served as the central hub for attendees, offering a cozy atmosphere with fire pits, live music, line dancing lessons, and more. Festival-goers could also test their rodeo skills on a mechanical bull and enjoy a variety of foods from local vendors and food trucks.

Moreover, the Salt Chalet, situated between the Salt Lake Visitor Center and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, provided curling lanes for guests to try their hand at the sport, available throughout February and beyond. Art installations at the site celebrated winter sports and the legacy of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah. With Salt Lake being named the Preferred Host City for the 2034 Games, the event also gave attendees a glimpse into the future cultural Olympiad.

“As we proudly unveiled the Salt Lake Winter Roundup, we were thrilled to witness its overwhelming success, surpassing all expectations. One of the first-ever urban Skijoring spectacle to the art installations paying tribute to the 2002 Winter Games, this event truly epitomizes our rich heritage and underscores Salt Lake’s prowess in both winter sports and artistic expression,” said Visit Salt Lake President & CEO Kaitlin Eskelson. “Furthermore, the enthusiastic response from our community, gathering downtown to revel in the exceptional array of activities, was truly inspiring. It was not just a celebration but also a promising preview of the vibrant year ahead in 2024 for both visitors and locals alike.”

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