Free Dog Harness Demo Day, Fun Canine Ski and Snowshoe races and X-C Ski Social next weekend.

The Pagosa Nordic Club is hosting 3 Free activities this weekend including a Sunset/Moonrise X-C Ski Social on Friday, A Canine Harness Demo Day and Clinic on Saturday and Fun Canine Ski-Joring and Canine Cross races on Sunday.

Join us this Friday, January 6th, for a free Sunset/Moonrise X-C Ski Social between 4 & 7pm at the West Fork Nordic Trail, located 15 miles east of Pagosa Springs on Highway 160. Enjoy a casual ski or snowshoe under an incredible Sunset & Moonrise, then afterwards, meet back at the trail head for hot soup and chili next to a crackling campfire. This is a great family friendly activity with trails groomed and designated easy skiing. A flashlight or headlamp is recommended and you may bring something to share, though not expected. Additional season X-C Ski Social dates are February 3rd and March 2nd.

On January 7th & 8th, the Pagosa Nordic Club, in conjunction with Pagosa Feed and Nursery, will host a fun filled weekend for you and your canine companion. Activities start at 12noon on Saturday at the Pagosa Feed Store, 166 Bastille Drive, west of City Market, with a free skijoring demonstration. Bring your friendly dog and cross country skis, snowshoes or walking shoes and try harness pulling with your dog. There will be an oval track set through the nursery for you to try your hand with skijoring (skis) or cani-cross (snowshoes) or on foot. Additionally, canine harnesses can be used for bicycling hiking and other summer activities too. A representative from Ruffwear will be there with demo harnesses for you to try out. There will be lots of goodies and free samples. Jennifer Martin from the Pagosa Nordic Club as well as Pagosa Feed and Nursery staff will be on site to give tips and answer questions on canine harness training, nutrition and fitness.

On Sunday, join us at the West Fork Nordic Trail for FREE Canine fun races. There will be a 1-mileskijor race (dog pulls you on skis), a 1- mile cani-cross race (dog pulls you on snowshoes) and a non-competitive walk event as well. Registration is at 9:30am and the race will start at 10am. Just bring your friendly dog, skis or snowshoes and a sense of adventure and get ready for some excitement! You can use this event as a warm up forthe first annual “Pagosa Paw” winter dog sports event on February 25 & 26, 2012, or just as a way to get out and have fun with your four legged friend. For more information on the Pagosa Feed Event call Beverly at 731-4126. For race information call Jennifer at 264-9358.

The Pagosa Nordic Club is a non profit, 100% volunteer organization with a mission “To enhance winter recreational opportunities in Pagosa Springs by maintaining accessible groomed winter trails for skate skiing, classic cross country skiing & snowshoeing for all ability levels and to encourage and promote the use of these winter trails through education, marketing and events”. The club relies on membership donations, sponsorships and trail use donations to cover operational expenses and capital equipment investments. To become a club member or donate to the club, please visit PagosaNordic.Com for details. See you on the trails !!