Doug Middleton, left, and Annie Chrietzberg of La Pine take pictures of dog teams going by during the 20th running of the Chemult Sled Dog Races at Walt Haring Sno-Park in Chemult Jan. 17, 2016. The races have been canceled for 2018. - Chemult, Oregon 
Lack of snow dooms dog races
For a second year in a row, Chemult will not host its annual sled dog races, citing a distinct lack of snow as the primary cause of the cancellation.
The races stretch back more than 23 years and are held each January. However, the unusually warm winter with lackluster snowfall has left organizers no option but to call off the dogs for the 2018 event.
The annual sled dogs races provide a fun outlet for local and regional mushers alike, typically drawing teams from as far away as Alaska and Canada to participate in the two-day event.
Held annually at the Walt Haring Sno-Park on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, the event incorporates a series of races ranging from short sprints of 2.2 miles up to mid-range distance races of 20 miles or more. On average the races draw about 40 teams, but have included as many as 50 sled dog crews at the event’s peak.
It is the second year in a row the races have been canceled, last year’s event suffered from a shortage of volunteers to help organize and coordinate the festivities.
Following last year’s cancellation the future of the Chemult races seemed in doubt, as several board members considered leaving due to a lack of other volunteers to assist, but despite little snowfall this year the Chemult races appear to have a bright future once again.
“The good news is that we have found some more interest in supporting the races, so that is great,” said Erin Sutton, president of the Sled Dog Racing Club. “The club will work this year on getting the new people up to speed and ready for the coming years.”
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