JACKSON, Wyo. — Late on Tuesday evening, the Jackson Hole Snow Devils made the call to cancel the 2026 World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb.
The local snowmobile club deliberated extensively over the decision to host the competition, which is held annually at Snow King Mountain. Ultimately it was determined that there is insufficient snow coverage on the traditional Hill Climb racecourse. Other routes at Snow King were evaluated, according to an announcement by the Snow Devils, but were all unusable due to staging requirements and other logistics.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Snow Devils President RJ Crosland said in a statement. “The World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb is an important tradition for our club and for the entire Jackson community. We explored every possible option, including multiple alternate routes, but ultimately we owe it to our racers, vendors, sponsors, and spectators to make this decision early so everyone can make alternate plans.”
Aside from current snow conditions, the upcoming weather forecast also played a role in the decision. The forecast is calling for above-freezing temperatures and rain, “both of which would accelerate snow melt and further deteriorate already limited snow coverage on the mountain, making it increasingly unlikely that conditions would improve in time for the event,” reads the news release.
Per the Snow Devils, Snow King offered additional options for the race including near the Rafferty chairlift, Grizzly trail and Cougar trail. The Snow Devils felt that some of those options would be unable to handle the course flow and event logistics required to conduct the race safely and effectively. On the weekend after the anticipated Hill Climb date, a nationally sanctioned ski race is scheduled to take place on the Cougar run. The Snow Devils acknowledged that snowmobile traffic would “significantly alter the snow surface and compromise the ski racecourse.”
“Snow King Mountain Resort has been an outstanding partner and host for the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb for the past 48 years,” said the Snow Devils Board in a statement. “We deeply appreciate everything Snow King does to support our event and our organization. Their willingness to explore multiple alternatives with us demonstrates the strength of our partnership and their commitment to the community.”
