01/09/2025
Dear Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby Fans,
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share with you the decision to cancel our 2025 race. We so appreciate everyone on our team and the hundreds of volunteers who have helped to make this event happen. Thanks to them, and after a year’s worth of work, every element is in place for another world-class sled dog race… except one: SNOW.
Lake Minnetonka is currently an ice rink, with no heavy snowfall in sight. Hard-packed, dense snow is required for mushers to slow and stop their dogs and sleds, which is a vital task in this sport. It would be entirely unsafe to run the race under the current conditions.
We considered requiring all the dogs and mushers to wear ice skates, but, alas, here we are. 😂
This is a temporary setback. We plan to be back stronger than ever with a sled dog race in early 2026.
{ Link to Official Press Release: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aEKF9reERqYSiuzLDCOJ-FqD-ufEg8Zd/view }
We still have two exciting Klondike Dog Derby coming up…
On January 25, the Cutest Puppy Contest will take place at Back Channel Brewing Co. from 1 pm to 5 pm. Registration is now open at klondikedogderby.com/cutestpuppy. Proceeds will support the 2026 Klondike Dog Derby race.
A week later, the first-ever Maynard’s Klondike Dog Derby Concert Series will take place on what would have been race weekend, Friday, January 31, and Saturday, February 1. Proceeds from Klondike merchandise sales will support the 2026 Klondike Dog Derby race. maynards-excelsior.com
From all of us at the Klondike,
Come Gee, Come Haw ❤️🐾💙
