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Montana’s Race to the Sky

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Montana Dog Sledding
As night falls, racers head out into Montana’s wilderness. Canon 5DmkIII 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II f5.6 1/180 ISO6400

Had a great time this weekend photographing the start to Montana’s Race to the Sky sled dog race over in Seeley Lake. Due to the insanely warm temperatures we’ve had around the west this winter, snow has been hard to find in some areas. Usually the race kicks off near Helena with another send off in Lincoln, but this year that definitely wasn’t happening. The teams took off near Seeley Lake with plenty of snow for the most part, but temperatures were still warm.

The race features both a 300 mile and 100 mile leg through Montana’s mountains and is also a qualifier for Alaska’s Iditirod. This year there were 29 teams participating in the race.

Shooting the race as night fell was challenging to say the least, especially with fast dogs and no light. I managed to pull off a few shots in the beginning, but as it got dark I had to get a little more creative

Sled Dogs
Dogs getting ready. Canon 5DMKIII 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II f5.6 1/500 ISO3200

Montana Winter Sports
Dogs harnessed and ready to go. Canon 1DX 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II f5.6 1/180 ISO6400

Yellowstone Rendezvous Race 2010

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Yellowstone Rendezvous Ski Race

25K. ©Jason Savage

I was visiting the town of West Yellowstone yesterday amongst the hundreds of others who were competing in the annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Ski Race. Racers come from all over to compete and some as far from Alaska were there.

The atmosphere is definitely festive as skiiers from all age groups compete in different length races. The 2k race which features ages 6-9 was fun to watch as the kids were detemined and full of energy to get underway. Lots of fun to watch.

Helena’s own Randy Beckner finished 16 out of 130 in the Men’s 50K freestyle(Way to go Randy!). Bozeman’s Leif Zimmerman took first with a time of 2:13:02.3. To see the rest of the results in all races you can visit at the Yellowstone Rendezvous Ski Race Results page.

If you are interested in this race it’s open to all levels, pros and beginners alike. It’s one way to sign off on the end of winter in one of Montana’s longstanding traditions.

Yellowstone Rendezvous Race

Little Bison Racer 2K. © Jason Savage

Yellowstone Rendezvous Ski Race

Classic Skiing. © Jason Savage

Yellowstone Rendezvous Ski Race

25K Classic. © Jason Savage

38 Special Bike Race

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38 Special/©Jason Savage

I’m finally out of my cast and free! Well sort of… still hobbling around and won’t be running any races anytime soon, but I am able to get around a little bit. Good thing too, as I had to shoot the 38 Special Bike race up near York this last weekend.

The race is a fundraiser for the York volunteer fire department and it’s start is held there. The race is appropriately a 38 mile ride through some beautiful country and passes along some awesome canyon areas.

It has grown in popularity over the past few years since starting in 2004 and has close to 200 riders.

My office for the day

I was reminded of why I love Montana while spending the day parked over a phenomenal canyon overlook photographing people having fun and pedaling their asses off.

Not a bad way to spend the day, even if it was work.