Posted in Wyoming December 10, 2017 by

Have a Rip-Roaring Time At This Small Town Festival That’s Quintessentially Wyoming

When winters are long and snow is in abundant supply, you make the best of it. In Sundance, the “best” is a rip-roaring winter festival that turns a cold winter weekend into an epic celebration of everything that’s quintessentially Wyoming.

The Sundance Winter Festival typically takes place well into winter, once it’s had a chance to send enough flurries to provide the snow that is the focal point of most of the activities. Between the exhibitions, competitions, food, drink, music, and more, it’s an unforgettable way to spend a few days in the Cowboy State.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
The Sundance Winter Festival typically takes place in February.
Sundance Winter Festival/Facebook
Mark your calendar - the next festival is slated for the weekend of February 17, 2018.
It's given the sleepy little town of Sundance, Wyoming something to look forward to during the snowy winters.
Sundance Winter Festival/Facebook
Visitors start arriving Friday night for the unofficial festivities, though the events begin bright and early Saturday morning.
Sundance Winter Festival/Facebook
The festival's kick-off event is skijoring - an extreme sport that involves a horse and rider towing competitors on skis down snow-packed Main Street.
Sundance Winter Festival/Facebook
It's an intense contest full of thrills...
Sundance Winter Festival/Facebook
...and spills.
Sundance Winter Festival/Facebook
Next up are the downhill barstool races. Competitors in this event perch themselves on barstools fitted with skis and hurl down steep snowdrifts. Part of this competition often includes donning inventive and unusual costumes to make things more interesting.
Sundance Winter Festival/Facebook
The local bars and restaurants get in on the fun, hosting live bands, and the Longhorn Saloon & Grill even shows outdoor movies on their back porch until late into Saturday night.
Charity Mclaughlin/TripAdvisor
Most of the competitions require snow and lots of it. While that's usually not a problem in Wyoming, no worries on the few and far between years when snow isn't in abundance. It can always be imported.
Sundance Winter Festival/Facebook
There is loads of family fun to be had, too, such as sledding, cross-country skiing, and ice skating.
Nigel Taylor/Flickr
Festival events also include a Nordic ski race and a snow sculpture competition.
Plus, there's the extremely extreme sport of the snowmobile hill climb, made even more exciting when competitors break out their vintage snowmobiles from storage to plow up Sundance Mountain.
MotoWebMistress/Flickr
There are trophies for all competitions and cash prizes for a few of them, too.

Have you been to the Winter Festival in Sundance?

What other festivals are quintessentially Wyoming?