Poor Snow Conditions Force Cancellation Of Two Major Spring Snowmobile Events

While much of the Midwest, Northeast, and traditional Snowbelt regions enjoyed a solid winter of riding, the same cannot be said for parts of the western mountains. A difficult snow season in the Rockies has now forced the cancellation of two high-profile spring snowmobile events: the 2026 World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Colorado’s popular Spring Fling gathering.

The Jackson Hole Hill Climb, long considered one of the sport’s premier competitions, was officially canceled after organizers determined snow conditions on Snow King Mountain were inadequate to safely host the event. The annual race typically draws competitors and fans from across North America to watch riders attack the steep face of the Wyoming mountain in one of snowmobiling’s most iconic competitions.

Unfortunately, the decision reflects broader snow conditions across parts of the western U.S. this winter. Many Rocky Mountain snow basins entered 2026 with well-below-normal snowpack due to warm temperatures and limited snowfall early in the season. In Colorado, statewide snow water equivalent climbed to only about 60 percent of the long-term median by late winter, after starting the season even lower.

Those conditions also played a role in the cancellation of the 2026 Spring Fling in Colorado. Event organizer, Brandon Alan, announced the decision after discussions with sponsors and the U.S. Forest Service.

Spring Fling has grown into one of the largest grassroots mountain riding gatherings in the West, drawing hundreds of riders each spring while raising funds for the Colorado Snowmobile Association. It is noted that canceling the event will impact those groups financially, since donations generated by the gathering are typically shared with snowmobile organizations across the state. Organizers of Spring Fling say they are working on a special 2026 merchandise fundraiser that will allow riders to support the Colorado Snowmobile Association.

Despite the disappointing news, both events are expected to return in 2027. For riders across the West, the cancellations are a reminder of just how dependent spring riding events are on late-season snow—and how dramatically conditions can vary from region to region in any given winter.