January 15, 2010 - January 17, 2010

The remote town of Elkford celebrates its 14th annual Wilderness Classic Sled Dog Derby January 15-17. Elkford prides itself as the wilderness capitol of British Columbia, and this winter festival promises a satisfying mix of wild and cozy. The Sled Dog Derby features seven different dog-sled races, a skier-dog skijoring competition, a kids' toboggan party, snow sculpting competition, pancake breakfast and community dinner, and a family swim at the aquatic centre.

The highlight of the weekend is the convergence of sled-dog racers from all over Canada and and USA, There are 7 different races during the weekend, featuring 12-dog, 10-dog, 6-dog and 4-dog teams, plus skijoring skier-dog pairs. They will be competing for more than $10,000 in prizes.

The Snow Sculpting competition runs from January 10-15, and on the weekend there's a children's toboggan party, a snow shoe biathlon, pancake breakfast, community dinner, and a mushers social.

Elkford has two hotels, the Elkford Motor Inn adn the Hi Rock Inn, and the Bear Hollow Bed & Breakfast. Lodging also is available downstream along the Elk River in the communities of Sparwood and Fernie.

Elkford Motor Inn 250-865-2211, http://elkfordmotorinn.com/
Hi Rock Inn 250-865-2226, http://www.hirockinn.com/
Bear Hollow Bed & Breakfast 250-865-2605

Hard against the Continental Divide and well off the beaten path of Highway 3, Elkford is the highest-elevation incorporated community in British Columbia. It is the gateway to some of southern Canada's wildest country, including Elk Lakes Provincial Park.

Elkford is located in the upper Elk Valley of southeastern British Columbia, north of Sparwood on Highway 43.