Rules &
Regulations

Core Divisions

• PRO: Elite teams with fast horses, advanced riders, and top-tier speed and technical skill. Intended for athletes and horses with significant skijoring or ski racing experience.
• Sport: Strong, experienced competitors developing toward PRO. Horses typically have competitive speed but not yet consistent PRO pace.

Non-Core Divisions

• Women's: Female skier and rider division. Skill levels range from intermediate through elite.
• All-Around (Switch-a-Roo): Rider and skier swap roles — each rides once and skis once. Skill levels range from intermediate through elite.
• Snowboard: Dedicated division for snowboard athletes. Requires excellent edge control, line choice, and rope management at speed.

Tour Membership

Tour membership (PRO Card) is optional. You can enter any stop without joining the Tour and still win that event's buckles, prizes, and cash payouts. Tour membership is only needed for season points, rankings, and Championship Finals eligibility.

Division Entry & Crossover Limits — Rider

• Max 8 total runs per tour event
• Max 4 in core divisions (PRO or Sport)
• Up to 4 more in non-core divisions (Women's, All-Around, Snowboard)

Division Entry & Crossover Limits — Skier

• Choose PRO or Sport — no crossover between core divisions
• Up to 4 teams in chosen core division, each behind a different horse
• Optional: up to 2 additional teams total across non-core divisions
• Non-core only: up to 4 teams total across non-core divisions

Division Entry & Crossover Limits — Horse

• Core divisions: up to 2 teams total in either PRO or Sport (not both)
• Tour division cap: up to 4 teams total
• Owners/riders must ensure fitness for planned workload

Advancement from Sport to PRO

• Any horse winning 1st in Sport and finishing <0.5 seconds off 3rd-place PRO time must move up to PRO the following year
• Any skier winning 1st in Sport must move up to PRO the following year

Just for Fun Divisions

Novice, Century, Teens, Lil' Buckaroo, Ponies Only — no Tour points. Eligible for buckles and prizes. No cash payouts. Max 4 total runs per horse, rider, or skier. Same skier–horse pairing may appear only once per individual division.

Emerging Talent Invite: Stand out in a Just-for-Fun division and you could be invited to showcase at the Championship Finals. $2,500 in prizes set aside for invited JFF teams.

• Helmets: All skiers must wear an approved snow-sports helmet. Eye protection recommended.
• Riders: Helmet and protective vest recommended. Riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
• Minors: Parent/guardian must sign consent and be present at the event.
• Horse Workload: Secondary entries are at the owner's discretion with priority on fitness and health.
• Substitutions: Allowed for horse, skier, or rider until the day before the race with PRO Skijor approval. If a listed team member cannot compete on race day, the team is disqualified. No refunds.
• Staging / Start (Sparby Rule): After "Clear Track" is declared, each team has 2 minutes to stage and start. Exceeding time results in one additional attempt at end of division. Exceeding again = disqualification for that day.
• Finish Requirements: Skier must finish upright on at least one ski, rope in hand, with both boots crossing the finish line.
• Gates: Both leading edge of ski/board and both boots must pass the correct side of each gate (right of red, left of blue) or the gate is missed.
• Rope Drop Before Start Line: One immediate restart is allowed.
• Fitness to Compete: Technical delegates may recommend pulling a team for safety; event organizers have final say.
• Anti-Doping: Performance-enhancing drugs are prohibited. Enforcement at organizers' discretion.

• Missed jump or missed gate: +2.00 seconds each
• Horse contact with a jump/gate: +2.00 seconds (No-Time if the timing device is struck)
• Rings: +2.00 seconds per ring missed or dropped
• No penalty if a ring falls off its standard before the approach or breaks on course
• Collected rings must cross the finish line with the skier and rider as applicable

• Veterinary Authority: The on-site veterinarian may scratch any horse for health/safety concerns. The organizing committee may require a pre-race vet check.
• Protective Legwear: Bell and splint boots on all four legs are strongly recommended.
• Medical & Veterinary Services: If provided/used, services are billed to the beneficiary.

No protests or appeals. A paid ski-racing judge reviews every run in the production trailer with multi-camera, multi-view 4K replay. They watch every gate on the course live with replay and slow-mo when needed. Decisions are made from close-up video monitors in real time.

Course officials' decisions are final. Where judgment applies, the benefit of the doubt goes to the skier. Practice good sportsmanship.

• Length: Approximately 700–1,200 ft (start to finish); may include wide sweeping turns
• Run-Out: Varies by venue; competitors must be aware of space, snow, and surface conditions
• Gates: Breakaway/whisker style; skier passes right of red and left of blue
• Fencing: Spectator and safety fencing used at the discretion of organizers and course setters

• Rope: 25–33 ft recommended; ≥ 3/8 in diameter. No handles, loops, or knots. Teams encouraged to bring their own rope.
• Attachment: To the saddle horn or behind the saddle secured to primary rigging rings, pull point ~6 inches from the cantle (carabiner included)
• Inspection: The Start Master must approve rope length and attachment prior to racing

By registering, you pledge humane treatment of horses and respectful conduct toward competitors, officials, volunteers, and spectators. Violations may result in disqualification and/or ban from future competitions.

• Main Tour Divisions (PRO, Sport, Women's, All-Around, Snowboard): Tour points, buckles, prizes, and cash payouts
• Just for Fun Divisions (Novice, Century, Teens, Lil' Buckaroo, Ponies Only): No Tour points. Eligible for buckles/prizes. No cash payouts.
• Tour Points & Finals Qualification: See the Points System page for how points are awarded and how teams qualify for the Championship Finals
• On-Site Policy — Dogs: Dogs are not permitted inside event grounds for safety around horses

Gallatin Skijor (Bozeman, MT) and Teton Valley Skijoring (Driggs, ID) are proud Affiliate Events of PRO Skijor. Points earned at these events count toward season standings and Finals qualification.

Each affiliate remains independently owned and operated — all event decisions including rules, formats, safety protocols, schedules, and entry policies are set solely by the respective affiliate organizers. PRO Skijor does not direct or control affiliate operations.

For spectator tickets and competitor registrations, please use each affiliate's website.