When the weather turns colder and snow covers the ground, Wyoming turns into a winter wonderland. The snow gives new outdoor opportunities to our beautiful landscapes and gives our towns new events to celebrate. From widely-recognized events like Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s Kings and Queens of Corbet’s to charming small-itown winter carnivals, you will find these winter events well worth a trip to our state.
If events for this year are not reflected on event pages, please check back again at a later time or visit our events page.
1. Cheyenne – New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
While it might not be as big as Time Square, join Cheyenne on December 31st at their remodeled train depot to ring in the new year with a 75-foot ball drop. The night includes music and fireworks.
2. Sweetwater County – Ice Fishing Competitions
If fishing is more your style, then join Sweetwater County for their ice fishing competitions on the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. In January they host the Burbot Bash, and in February the Labarge Ding-the-Ling Derby. Join in teams up to four and compete for prizes. There are youth and adult categories that make this event fun for the whole family.
3. Western Wyoming – International Pedigree Stage Stop Dog Race
The International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race begins in Jackson and goes through other communities in western Wyoming. Over the course of 10 days from late January to early February, mushers and their teams compete in eight races. The races stop in a new place every night to be hosted by communities including Jackson Hole, Lander, Pinedale, Big Piney, Kemmerer and Alpine. These communities welcome you to get a glimpse of the race and celebrate with carnivals, dog parades, kid races and more.
4. Sheridan WYO Winter Rodeo
Held every February in Sheridan, you will find family sled day, skijoring, fat bike races, hockey games and more. This winter festival is full of competitive spirit and fun. Whether you decide to participate in an event or cheer from the sidelines, you can’t go wrong.
5. Saratoga Skijoring Races
Settle into the small mountain town of Saratoga to enjoy fast-paced skijoring races. Contestants compete on skis or a snowboard and are pulled through a track by a horse and rider. Held at the Buck Springs Race Track every February, you can watch around 90 races per day. In between the races you can enjoy the hobo hot springs open to the public year-round.
Learn more about the fascinating sport of skijoring and which Wyoming winter events hold competitions.
6. Sundance Winter Festival
For a fun twist on skijoring, join Sundance for their Wild Horse and Tube Race every February. While you can still catch traditional skijoring at the winter festival, you can now register for the tube experience. On this take of the sport, the horse and rider pull you in a tube instead of on skis.
7. Pinedale Winter Carnival
Join Pinedale in February as they host their annual winter carnival. Enjoying skijoring, a blizzard bash and more. Enter the Cardboard Classic, where you can create your own sled out of cardboard, duct tape, glue and paint. See if you can build a sled worthy of the course and snag a prize in the process.
8. Gillette Main Street Ice Fest
During the month of February, Gillette holds an annual ice carving competition in which ice sculptors gather to compete for a prize. While they sculpt, you can watch or walk around and enjoy games, local vendors, food and hot chocolate.
9. Jackson – Kings and Queens of Corbet’s
One of Wyoming’s most thrilling winter events, this competition brings some of the top skiers and snowboarders in the world to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Watch as these incredible athletes compete in a freeriding course, which allows them to choose their own lines down the mountain. The course begins at the top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s Corbet’s Couloir with up to a 20-foot drop, giving competitors ample air to do some stunning tricks. It’s a one-day event in February for an all-out fight to obtain the title of King and Queen.
10. Jackson – Snowmobile Hill Climb
Every March, semi-professional and professional snowmobilers flock to Jackson to participate in the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb. The race is a narrow course climbing up the summit of Snow King with a 1,500 vertical feet incline. This four-day event tests each rider’s strength and endurance as they race for the best time. As a spectator, you can enjoy concessions and snowmobile brands showing off their newest gear.
