Lack of snow shuts down Sheep Mountain 150

SHEEP MOUNTAIN — The southern sections of the Matanuska and Susitna valleys are not the only areas of the Mat-Su Borough facing a lack of snow unusual for this time of year.

Snow is also scare in the northern parts of the Valley, which has led to the cancellation of the Sheep Mountain 150, an annual sled dog race that was set to start Saturday along the Glenn Highway north of Palmer.

“It is unfortunate that Mother Nature had not cooperated this year,” Race director Zack Steer said in a press release issued Monday morning. “We had a great group of volunteers lined up to put on the race and the local Glacier View community really looks forward to seeing this event happen.”

Steer said in the release 60 teams were ready to compete in the 9-year-old race.

“Veteran mushers used this race to see how their teams are doing mid-season and rookies use this race to gain experience and possibly qualify for the Iditarod,” Steer said. “It’s just a really fun event and I hate to have to cancel it, but there is no other choice.”

Last week, Steer said there was only about six inches of snow in the area, and at least a foot of snowpack was needed to provide a safe trail for the teams. A recent snowfall produced only about one inch of snow in the Sheep Mountain area. Steer opted to make the cancellation official Monday to give teams more time to make alternate plans.

This is the third time in nine years race officials were forced to cancel the Sheep Mountain 150 due to lack of snow.