Many residents have honed their snow-moving skills in the last few days, and next weekend about a dozen could put their talents to the test at the Vallecito Lake Snowblower Race.
“It started out as a joke. But now we’re going to do it,” said organizer Lisa Bourque.
A few snowblower racing videos have circulated on social media, but it seems far from being a recognized sport anywhere.
However, it may offer relief to cabin fever for about 500 year-round residents of Vallecito, who have been blowing snow for two weeks, Bourque said. At the end of the day Friday, the community could have about 6 feet of snow, she said.
The contest will be a test of speed in the Vallecito Community Event Center parking lot through snow that piled up evenly, she said. It has not been determined how long the course will be, she said.
Staff with Upper Pine River Fire Protection District is expected to start the race with an emergency siren, she said.
Bourque said she started spreading the word about the event Thursday on Facebook and expects attendees to come from Bayfield, Forest Lakes and possibly Durango.
“It’s gaining traction,” she said.
The winner will receive a basket of goodies, gift certificates and bragging rights.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
If you go
The Snowblower Race will start at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Vallecito Community Event Center, 17252 County Road 501. Setup will begin at 4 p.m. and a potluck will be held at 6 p.m. at the event center. Racers must take their own snowblowers. Registration is free. For more information, search Vallecito Lake Snowblower Race 2019 on
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