Dinner Plain Sled Dog Sprint

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The Dinner Plain Sled Dog Sprint 2025 is shaping up to be a thrilling winter spectacle! Held on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August, this beloved annual Alpine event brings together mushers and their dog teams from across Australia (minus the NT) to race through the snowy cross-country trails of Dinner Plain Village.

Free for all spectators, the first teams will start racing at 9am from Fitzys Circuit. You can meet the Sled Dogs and Mushers on Saturday at approx. 1pm after racing!

 

Whether you're cheering from the sidelines or dreaming of joining the mushers one day, this event is a heartwarming celebration of teamwork, snow, and canine spirit. 

Free entry for all visitors

Race times: 9am to 2pm both days

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🏁 Race Format

Team sizes: 1 to 6 dogs, with open classes for 2, 3, 4, 6, and even 8 dog teams

Heats: Two heats over two days, with faster teams seeded for the second day

Start intervals: Teams launch every minute, creating exciting overtakes on the trail

Prizes: Winners earn trophies, gear, and premium Black Hawk Dog Food

What to Expect

  • Excellent competitor turnout - cheer on more than 40 mushers racing head-to-head.
  • Warm daytime temperatures: trail crews will work hard to maintain safe coverage.
  • Bootcamp on Thursday afternoon providing an up-close look at sled dogs in action.
  • Expect 70+ teams, lots of excited barking, and plenty of photo ops

Planning & Preparation

  • Allow extra travel time; some access roads within Dinner Plain may have traffic control.
  • Dress in layers and bring sunglasses - sunlight on packed snow can be intense.
  • Consider alternative trails if you are wishing to X Country Ski find an unaffected ski route.

No spectator dogs allowed to keep the sled teams focused

Touring/Social Class: Perfect for beginners or older dogs who just want to enjoy the snow

Mini Musher Sprint: Introduced in 2022, this lets kids under 12 ride with an adult and up to two dogs

Junior Class: A 2-dog race designed to build confidence and skills in young mushers

All cross-country trails listed below will be closed or restricted during bump-in, bootcamp, and race days (Saturday 9 August - Tuesday 12 August)

Impacted Trails

  • Fitzy’s Cirque
  • Guide Alice
  • Link Connector
  • Pigtail
  • Appian Way
  • Baxter’s Run
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