While most Kootenay golf courses lie dormant and silent under winter’s white blanket, Kimberley’s Bootleg Gap will howl to life on February 20 and 21 with B.C.’s second annual Bootleg Sled Dog Races

I'll be blogging from the races and reporting back on how much money gets raised; so shoot me a line about your own highlights/racing stories and we'll get the word out. –Dave

by Dave Quinn

Last year’s Bootleg Sled Dog Races were a huge hit for racers and spectators alike. Snow flew, tongues lolled, competitors and the crowd hooted, hollered and barked for joy. And best of all, more than $18,000 was raised for the East Kootenay Friends of Children Fund, which helps offset travel costs for families of children who need to travel for specialized medical treatment.

Noticeably absent from this year’s February event, however, will be the canines from local Adrenaline Dog Sled Tours – they’ll be at the Olympics on an important and covert mission, delivering “as-yet-unspecified” performers to the outdoor stages in Whistler (while showcasing B.C. tourism for Olympic spectators from around the world, of course). But even without the celebrated Adrenaline racers, the event remains a fabulous chance to experience one of the most unique winter sports attractions in B.C., with high-speed, family oriented competition, a glorious setting at the foot of the Purcell Mountains in the expansive Kootenay Valley – and all for a good cause, to boot.

So harness up the team and mush your way to Bootleg Gap Golf Course in Kimberley – for one of the most memorable winter events of the year. See you there! 

>>I’ll be blogging from the races and reporting back on how much money gets raised; so shoot me a line about your own highlights/racing stories and we’ll get the word out

Photos: courtesy Bootleg Sled Dog Races