Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby canceled due to lack of snow

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FILE: The Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby, which begins and ends in Excelsior, Minnesota, in 2022. (Melissa Turtinen/FOX 9)

EXCELSIOR, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby has been canceled for a second year in a row due to unfavorable racing conditions. 

Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby

What we know:

Organizers of the popular Lake Minnetonka sled dog race said Thursday that the lack of snow has forced them to cancel the 40-mile race, which takes place on Lake Minnetonka. The race was scheduled for Feb. 1. 

"Given current conditions and long-term weather forecasts, our board of directors unanimously determined it is in the best interest of mushers who planned to race this year, our sponsors, and our volunteers to cancel at this time," said Klondike Dog Derby Founder, Vice President and Race Director Bethany Hway. 

Organizers said they considered postponing the race, but given the lack of hard-packed snow, crews likely wouldn’t have enough time to groom a trail on the lake, a process which starts about two weeks before the event. 

"While Central Minnesota could still give us snow, the odds are not in our favor of it being the right type of snow, or enough, in time to groom a trail on what is currently a giant ice skating rink," Hway explained.

While the race is canceled, event organizers say some aspects of the event will go on as planned, including the cutest puppy contest and concert series.

Weather conditions affecting sled dog races

Big picture view:

This is the second year in a row that event organizers have canceled the race. In 2024, an unusually warm winter resulted in unsafe snow and ice conditions for mushers and sled dogs, as well as posing safety risks to spectators. 

Earlier this month, organizers of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon announced the race would be postponed to early March, citing the icy conditions and lack of snow along the 300-mile course is creating "hazardous conditions" for mushers and sled dogs. That race was also canceled in 2024 due to the lack of snow.