The Alpine Trails and Pathways (ATAP), in partnership with the annual Alpine Winter Jubilee, is hosting the 10th annual Coney Classic Skijor and Dog Party on Saturday, January 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Ball Field in Alpine. Proceeds from the fundraiser go toward grooming forested trails in the Alpine area and to support Lucky’s Place with the Animal Human Association of Star Valley.

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Originally planned to take place west of the Alpine airport, the Coney Classic has been moved to the American Legion Ball Field due to the unavailability of a groomed trail because of low snow levels.  The party will share the field with winter games and activities offered through the Winter Jubilee.

According to Lila Wheatley, who represents the ATAP, the event has grown from humble beginnings over the last 10 years into a full event offering raffle and auction items as well as a costume party with music, food and skijor timed trials.

Guests who want to participate in the timed trials are invited to make their skijor run any time between 11 and 12:30. There is no specific time that registrants are expected to be at the starting line. Dogs are not required to be on a leash during the event and during participation in the skijor trials.

This event has grown significantly over the years.  Early parties included a few raffle items, pizza, drinks “and a little bit of music,” explained Wheatley in an interview on the SVI Radio Network.  “Now, we have a silent auction and a much bigger raffle and it’s so nice that a lot of the local businesses, and some of the small family-owned businesses, donate money and donate their in-kind services or donate items for the raffle and silent auction. We have companies that contact us who really want to help out and it’s so nice to see that.”

During the Skijor timed trials, “more serious racers may want to go out first. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere. You register and have a number for our timer to keep track of people. You don’t have to be timed. A lot of people just go out for the fun of it.”

Attendees can enjoy some big-ticket auction items that include a round of golf for four people at Snake River Sporting Club, dog sled tours from Jackson Hole Iditarod in Bondurant and Teton Village’s Call of the Wild. There will be river rafting trips from Dave Hansen Rafting and overnight accommodations at the Box Y Guest Ranch up the Greys River.  Prize packages for raffle include a grilling package, a spa package and a dog basket.

“We try to make it really fun” with lots of laughter, a costume contest and prizes for costumes and winning trial times.  “It is really fun to see all the dogs running around, having their own party. The dogs are having a good time running around and people are throwing balls and sticks. It’s kind of chaotic, but it’s very fun to watch.”

For more information or to offer help, please reach out through the ATAP Facebook page.