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Lack of snow threatening Minnesota outdoor events

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Dec 29, 2011 at 8:17 am

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The lack of snow is frustrating dog mushers, snowmobilers and cross-county skiers in Minnesota.

Much of Minnesota has little snow cover in the last week of December, and the forecast calls for unseasonably warm weather through Saturday.

On Monday, the Voyageurs Classic dog sled races in north-central Minnesota were canceled. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the races were scheduled to begin Jan. 6 in Northome, but organizers decided against betting on a last-minute snowfall.

Meanwhile, organizers of the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon will decide Jan. 16 whether to proceed with the 29th annual race from Duluth to the Gunflint Trail, postpone it until March or cancel the 80-team event for only the second time.

Mushers need 15 to 20 inches of snowpack to safely operate their brakes.