, ,

Ski-haw! People on skis towed behind galloping horses compete in the wildest winter race in the West

, ,
 
 

The Colorado skijoring season opened last weekend in Ridgway with novice riders hanging on tight hoping for a piece of the purse. Not all of them finished upright.

Imagine yourself clicking into skis with the goal of going as fast as you can through freshly groomed snow — but instead of gravity drawing you down the mountain, a horse and rider pull you with a tow rope at about 30 to 35 mph along a closed course as you navigate obstacles while spectators record your every move with their phones.

Skijoring — pronounced skee-jor-ing — combines the Norwegian terms “ski” and “kjøre” (“to drive”) into a team activity that originated many hundreds of years ago as a form of winter transportation (think the Tang Dynasty in China) and depending on the country, skiers were pulled by reindeer, elk, dogs and eventually horses.

The once winter travel mode is now a popular winter sport with competitions held each winter in the snowiest towns in the American West. In Colorado, skijoring has a rich history that is celebrated in competitions all over the state.

In Ouray County, right near the base of the towering San Juan mountains, dozens of racers, horses and riders form teams to best each other in timed competition over three days each January at the Ouray County Fairgrounds. This year was San Juan Skijoring‘s 9th annual festival and it drew riders and spectators from around the region and beyond to race behind horses Jan. 10-12.

San Juan Skijoring organizer Richard Weber III said the Ridgway festival would have “the highest level of skijoring competition that has ever been held in skijoring.”

Other competitions held in Silverton and Leadville are much older than the one in Ridgway. But Weber said by offering large purses San Juan Skijoring has grown in popularity year after year.

From novice competitions to “big air” contests where racers jump over full-size trucks, San Juan Skjoring has become a favored destination for competitors and spectators alike.

If racers have good, fast runs that are free of mistakes and penalties, there is big money to be made from just a few minutes of competition.

 
 

The production side of the Ridgway event has grown too, with professional video and broadcasters brought in to turn the competition into a live-streamed event that was broadcast to the world and still can be watched by subscribers to The Cowboy Channel.

As Weber and organizers already look ahead to the 10th annual festival, he says there will be plenty of big money to go with the big air that has become a staple of San Juan Skijoring.

Where to watch skijoring next:

Skis and Saddles SkiJor Pagosa:  Jan. 18 -19. Races start at 8:30 a.m. both days at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds in Pagosa Springs.

Estes Park Skijor: Jan. 24-26. Races start at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Estes Park Events Complex.

Coal Mountain Skijoring: Feb. 7-9. Races start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Moffat County Fairgrounds in Craig.

Silverton Skijoring: Feb. 15 -16 on Blair Street in Silverton on both days.

Leadville Ski Joring 78th annual competition: March 1- 2. Starts at high noon on Harrison Avenue in Leadville each day.

Grand Lake Skijoring: March 8-9. Races start at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on Grand Avenue.

Read more at The Colorado Sun

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

, , , , , ,

As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Mid-Century Gem

, , , , , ,
 

W+M agent, Pam Catania’s clients

“They painted the walls white (they were pinks and oranges), put in black fixtures, and subtled down the southwestern to sell it.””
— Pam Catania

After nearly 30 years, W+M agent Pam Catania’s clients decided it was time to give their beloved home a fresh look before putting it on the market. Their impeccable taste— refined over decades—leans towards classic mid-century design, perfectly complementing the home’s original architecture.

When they first bought the property, it had a heavy southwestern influence, with pinks, oranges, and adobe accents throughout. To modernize the space, they painted the walls white and added sleek black fixtures, toning down the bold color palette while leaving the striking adobe fireplace and flagstone floors intact. The wooden beams which span the ceiling were also preserved, maintaining the home’s character. The master bath saw a big transformation, moving from 1980's pink and teal to a more modern aesthetic.

Pam suggested these updates to appeal to today’s buyers, and within a few months, the home was ready to shine. The layout features the primary bedroom on one side of the house, with secondary bedrooms thoughtfully placed on the other, providing both privacy and functionality.

As owners of a custom cabinetry and countertop business, the couple’s attention to detail is evident throughout, with handcrafted cabinetry and woodwork adding a personal touch throughout the home.

The property also includes a charming ADU that’s been part of the home from the start.

Situated in a coveted neighborhood that is known for its custom-built homes on spacious lots, this 3,200 sqft gem offers the perfect blend of mid-century charm and modern updates—all on one floor.

 

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Minnesota

 
, , , , , ,

As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Home Gym Goals

, , , , , ,
 

W+M agent, Kate Kazell’s client, Melanie Phillips

“Fitness has been a huge part of my life for the past decade, and the way I’ve worked out has evolved. After moving across the country to Denver, my husband and I finally had the room to create our own home gym.”
— Melanie Phillips

For W+M agent, Kate Kazell’s client, Melanie Phillips, fitness has been more than just a passion- it’s a lifestyle. Known for her blog, @headstandsandheels, Melanie shares, “Fitness has been a huge part of my life for the past decade, and the way I’ve worked out has evolved. After moving across the country to Denver, my husband and I finally had the room to create our own home gym.”

The couple transformed an alcove in their finished basement into a stylish yet functional workout space. “We wanted the gym to be chic but also practical. We added brick wallpaper on the main wall, a large mirror, shelving for storage, fun neon lighting, and foam floor tiles.” The layout has four workout zones: floor exercises (yoga, Pilates), weightlifting, and two types of cardiowith a Peloton bike and treadmill.

The key to their home gym’s success is organization. “Once everything has a home, it makes the space functional for a variety of workouts.” Melanie advises starting with basics like dumbbells, a yoga mat, a mirror, and a bench, adding more equipment over time

With colder months ahead, the home gym becomes an even more essential part of Melanie’s routine. “We use our home gym most in winter. When it’s too cold to go outside, it’s great to have a space to work out at home.”

As someone who gets bored with the same routine, she keeps things interesting by alternating between online classes including, Sculpt Society, Form, and Peloton. The flexibility to switch between spin, strength training, and low-impact workouts has been especially important during her pregnancy.

Melanie's home gym reflects her fitness journey and lifestyle, offering the perfect space to sweat, stretch, and stay motivated.

 

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Minnesota

 
, , , , , ,

As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Vintage Vibe to Inspired Design

, , , , , ,
 

West + Main agent Jessie Matteson

“We fell in love with the vision of what the space could be”
— Jessie Matteson

When West + Main Agent Jessie Matteson and her family bought their off-market home two years ago, they saw potential where others might have seen only orange shag carpeting, outdated windows, and mechanicals begging for an upgrade. But instead of being overwhelmed, Jesse and her family dove headfirst into what would become a major labor of love.

“We fell in love with the vision of what the space could be,”

says Jesse, who didn't shy away from doing much of the work herself. In fact, the family tackled the entire demo by hand. With the help of her handy father-in-law and dad, the Mattesons opened up the main level, knocking down walls to create a kitchen and dining area perfect for entertaining.

“We wanted a space that felt warm and inviting,” Jessie explains. “We went big with the kitchen island to make it a spot for friends and family to gather. It’s the main hangout spot in our home, so we made sure it was both pretty and practical.” The kitchen, with its massive island, quickly became the heart of the house. “We spend a lot of time around that island, whether it's hosting, working from home, or just living life.”

One of Jessie’s favorite features is the flooring, which was lovingly laid by her husband. “It adds such a cozy feel to the whole house,” she says, reflecting on the warmth and comfort it brings to the space.

The remodel also boasts a custom railing, adding a playful transition from the kitchen to the lower-level living room. And though the basement still awaits its full makeover, Jessie says, “The main floor is mostly finished, and it feels so good to see our hard work finally pay off.”

Remarkably, the family didn’t work with an architect or designer for the project. Instead, inspiration came from nearby neighbors who had tackled similar renovations.

“Once we saw that what we were thinking was possible, I started designing the kitchen layout myself,” Jessie explains.

As foster parents, they wanted flexible, cozy spaces that could evolve with each child. “We used furniture that was my grandmother’s and some refinished pieces my mom redid. A mix of new and old makes a space feel cozy and lived in.”

Renovations, of course, come with their share of challenges. But for Jessie, the highlight was working alongside her dad and father-in-law. “It’s the third home renovation we’ve done, and I love the extra time I get to spend with them. There’s a lot of problem-solving and brainstorming – it’s always fun, though sometimes stressful!”

As for advice for others thinking of doing their own remodel? “Things won’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. For design, don’t overthink it. Often, the first thing that catches your eye is what you’ll come back to. And know your limits—it’s important to hire out when you need to.”

For Jessie, the remodel has been more than just an aesthetic transformation. “This house has been a real labor of love,” she says. And with the warmth and care woven into every detail, it’s easy to see why.

 

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Minnesota

 
, , , , , ,

As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Laundry Room Makeover

, , , , , ,
 

West + Main agent Steph Christianson

“That tile gave the room a
whole new personality.”
— Steph Christianson

When West + Main agent Steph Christianson set out to remodel her laundry room, she didn’t just settle for a functional space—she turned it into a bold, eye-catching extension of her home’s personality. Inspired by the dark blue cabinetry in her adjacent kitchen, Steph brought the same pop of color into her laundry room, adding depth and drama to a space often overlooked. She invested about $10,000 to achieve the look, including new cabinets, countertops, a farmhouse sink, fresh tile, and a new light fixture.

The standout feature? The stunning patterned tile she chose from The Tile Shop. “It was definitely a splurge, but totally worth it,” Steph says. “That tile gave the room a whole new personality.”

Steph’s design process started with sketches on graph paper, which she took to her favorite local cabinet company for conversion into CAD drawings. “I made a few tweaks with their help, but the final result turned out exactly as I’d planned,” she shares. The new layout, combined with the height and color of the cabinets, brings a dramatic, moody vibe to the small space.

What started as a laundry room makeover led to some unexpected surprises—like a mini garage revamp! “I knew I’d reuse my old laundry cabinets in the garage, but adding a shiplap feature wall and butcher block workbench were last-minute decisions,” she says. “And I’m so glad I did! Who knew a garage could be such a fun design space?”

For those considering a remodel, Steph’s biggest piece of advice is to start with inspiration. “Make a mood board on Pinterest or Canva, and start narrowing down your favorite designs,” she suggests. “And be open to DIY projects or finding affordable dupes to stretch your budget.”

With the laundry room complete, Steph is already diving into her next project—a full basement remodel with some budget-savvy tricks up her sleeve. For her, it’s all about creating spaces that feel personal, stylish, and fun.

 

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

 
 
W+M_Logo (1).jpg
 
Cart (0)