Jackson, Wyoming — March 3, 2026
The Jackson Hole Snow Devils regret to announce that the 2026 World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb, traditionally held on Snow King Mountain in Jackson, Wyoming, has been officially cancelled due to insufficient snow conditions on the course.
After extensive evaluation and consultation with Snow King Mountain Resort, event organizers determined that there is not adequate snow coverage on the traditional Hill Climb course to safely host the competition this year. Ensuring the safety of racers, volunteers, and spectators is always the highest priority for the Snow Devils, and current conditions simply do not allow the event to be conducted at the level expected of a world championship competition.
Alternate Course Options Explored
In the days leading up to the decision, organizers worked closely with Snow King Mountain Resort to explore several alternate course possibilities across the mountain.
Among the options considered were routes along the Rafferty lift side, the Grizzly ski run, and Cougar Run. Each potential route was carefully evaluated to determine whether it could support the logistical requirements of the event, including racer staging areas, safe course flow, and operational access points necessary to run the Hill Climb effectively.
Ultimately, none of these alternatives proved viable. In addition to logistical challenges, Cougar Run is scheduled to host a nationally sanctioned ski race the following weekend. Maintaining the integrity of the snowpack for that event made the route unavailable for snowmobile use.
Forecasted weather conditions further complicated the situation. Upcoming forecasts indicate above-freezing temperatures and rain, which would likely accelerate snow melt and continue to deteriorate the already limited snow coverage on the mountain.
A Difficult Decision for a Historic Event
“This decision was not made lightly,” said RJ Crosland, President of the Jackson Hole Snow Devils. “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.”
The Snow Devils also emphasized that the cancellation is not a reflection of Snow King Mountain Resort’s support for the event. The resort has been a long-standing partner and worked closely with organizers throughout the evaluation process to explore potential solutions.
“Snow King Mountain Resort has been an outstanding partner and host for the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb for the past 48 years,” the Snow Devils Board stated. “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.”
Looking Ahead to the Future
While the cancellation is disappointing for the snowmobiling community, organizers are already focused on the future of the event.
The Snow Devils are actively working on long-term strategies to help reduce the likelihood of weather-related cancellations and ensure the continued success of the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb in the years ahead.
The organization expressed sincere appreciation for the racers, fans, volunteers, sponsors, and partners who continue to support the event and the Snow Devils’ mission.
“We share in the disappointment this brings, but we are grateful for the incredible community that stands behind this event year after year,” the organization said.
The Snow Devils look forward to welcoming everyone back to Snow King Mountain for the 2027 World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb.
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