Thousands of people embrace ‘skijor style’ at kickoff to SnowDays festival in Banff

Banff SnowDays has begun and hundreds crowded the streets to watch one of the most popular events of the festival - skijoring. Tyler Barrow reports.

The Snow Days Festival kicked off in Banff and Lake Louise Saturday with some high-styling skijoring.

The popular event, which combines horse riding and skiing, used to go right down Banff Avenue but Saturday moved to a new location adjacent to a local high school in order to take advantage of the bleachers.

Thousands of visitors, many of them dressed in a blend of retro ski chic, faux-and-not-so-faux fur and cowboy boots -- came armed with cameras to shoot selfies and skijoring action video.

For those who prefer their sports events indoors, with beverages, several Banff tap houses carried livestreams, said Christina Macdonald of Banff and Lake Louise Tourism.

“We have a big, giant screen broadcasting the show as well as a bunch of our members, Banff Ave. Brewing, Melissa’s Canada Brew House, they’re streaming the show if you want to hit the ski hills,” she said.

" Lake Louise and (Mt.) Norquay are streaming the show both days," she added, “so you could go have a ski yourself and then grab a beer in the Powder Keg Lounge and watch the show from there.”

The riders and sliders weren’t competing but rather showcasing their sport, Macdonald said.

“We have about a dozen teams of riders and sliders, but this is an exhibition, so really, they’re just playing to the crowd. They’re having a good time.

“They’re looking for cheers,” she said. “There’s no rankings or prizes. It’s just a big show that Skijor Canada puts on (every year).”

‘Because of the vibe’

Macdonald said the town was buzzing.

“Our hotels are sold out for tonight, so we’re full, and we’re excited to welcome everyone,” she said.

“This is an amazing event because of the vibe,” she said. “So skijor style is really what makes it unique that you’re not just watching a show. You’re participating in it by dressing up in your fur coat, your retro ski gear, and the whole town comes out to it. It’s become so popular. We have people coming from New York, Saskatchewan, all over the place to catch the fun.”

‘Perfect blend’ of western and ski culture

It turns out that skijoring was once a thing in Banff a long time ago.

“Skijoring dates back to the early 1900s Winter Carnival in Banff,” Macdonald said. “We decided to bring it back, because it’s a perfect blend of the western and ski culture that is true to place in the region -- and that’s what has really piqued people’s interest.

“It brings out that culture that we’re all proud of, and why we enjoy living here the ski and western and people get into it. It’s a chance once a year to dress up (and) have an amazing vibe with the community.”

Sophia Adam visited from Kingston, Ont., with nine friends including her mom.

“The vibes in Banff and Canmore and Alberta in general are just like, over the top,” she said. “The mountains, the fresh air, everybody’s so kind and friendly, and then Skijoring is just a bucket list item.

“Like, how cool is that everybody riding around on horses dressed up to the nines? It’s amazing!”

There was little doubt that the SnowDays Festival has a positive impact on the Banff economy.

Joel Martinelli is a sous-chef at the Block Kitchen and Bar, and said everything gets busier when skijoring come to town.

“It’s great having the street shut down, all these people out walking around instead of driving cars. You know, the horses are here. Everyone’s wearing fur coats, looking great. And, you know, it brings the people in in one of the slower months or weeks of the year.

“When people are out walking around town, and the buzz and the vibe out there is great, people are spending money, enjoying themselves and enjoying the weather.”

There’s skijoring again Sunday at 2 p.m., which is a bit less busy than Saturday’s event, according to Macdonald -- and other SnowDays Festival events over the next three weekends.

“This is just the beginning of the SnowDays Festival,” she said. “This is the kickoff, but we have events running every weekend through to February 8, including a new art of ice sculpting competition the last weekend of the festival.”

For more information about the SnowDays Festival, go here.

With files from CTV’s Tyler Barrow