Minnesota winter events canceled, postponed due to lack of snow: List

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The 2023 Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby. (Melissa Turtinen/FOX 9 / FOX 9)

(FOX 9) - With only one late-December storm offering measurable amounts of snow so far this winter in Minnesota, several events are beginning to be either canceled or postponed throughout the state.

What we know:

Below is a list of events that have either been canceled or postponed so far, but check back often — because you never know when things might change.

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

At the turn of the new year, officials with the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in northern Minnesota announced the race would be moved to a later date, for now, due to "unsafe trail conditions."

Organizers say the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is being postponed from late January to early March, citing the icy conditions and lack of snow along the course creating "hazardous conditions" for mushers and sled dogs.

"After thoroughly evaluating the trail and exploring alternate routes, we determined that postponing the race is the best option to ensure the safety and well-being of the dogs, mushers, and everyone involved," said Mike Keyport, John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Board President, in a statement. "Postponing the race is never an easy decision… We are heartbroken that, once again, weather — a factor entirely out of our control — has impacted our plans However, the safety of the dogs and mushers remains our unwavering priority, and we are determined to ensure that the rescheduled race continues to honor the spirit and legacy of the Beargrease."

The sled dog marathon is a qualifying race for the Iditarod race in Alaska. The race was founded in 1980 in honor of John Beargrease, an Anishinaabe man who delivered mail by dog sled along the shores of Lake Superior in the late 19th century.

Organizers are hopeful the nearly 300-mile race will happen along Lake Superior’s North Shore later in the season.

But it’s not a given.

Last year, the 40th iteration of the race was canceled due to a lack of snow after months of waiting for weather to cooperate.

According to the race site, nearly 400 volunteers work each winter to create the race that begins in Duluth, Minnesota.

Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby

Another sled dog race will be canceled for the second year in a row.

Initially scheduled for Feb. 1, 2025, organizers of the Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby announced on Thursday that a lack of snow has forced them to cancel the 40-mile race, which takes place on Lake Minnetonka and ends in Excelsior.

"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 say they considered postponing the race, but the lack of hard-packed snow made it likely that crews wouldn’t have enough time to groom a trail on the lake — a process that starts about two weeks before the event. 

"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.