SHERIDAN, WYOMING · LATE JANUARY–FEBRUARY
Where to stay for the Sheridan WYO Winter Rodeo
Horses towing skiers over snow jumps at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds — Sheridan's other rodeo, and nothing like the one in July.
Historically late January through early February — 2027 dates not yet announced
Stay in a Sheridan vacation rental five minutes from the fairgrounds where the WYO Winter Rodeo's skijoring races run. It's a different event from the summer's PRCA rodeo — horses towing skiers over snow jumps instead of bull riding — and it's entirely weather-dependent, so book lodging with flexible cancellation. Wyo Stays manages Sheridan rentals with full kitchens, booked direct with a licensed Wyoming brokerage.
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What to know before you go
- The skijoring race — the marquee event — runs at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds, 1753 Victoria Street, about five minutes from downtown Sheridan, the same grounds used for the Sheridan County Fair. Organizers moved it there after two years staging it on Broadway downtown, specifically to control snow conditions on the course.
- The Winter Rodeo is a season of events around town, not just one day — past editions have paired skijoring with a Family Sled Day at Trail End State Historic Site, a Sheridan Hawks hockey night at the Whitney Rink, and ski days at Antelope Butte. The lineup changes year to year; wyowinterrodeo.org carries the current one.
- Skijoring is entirely snow-dependent and has been canceled three of the last five years, most recently in 2026, when Sheridan didn't have enough snow on the ground or in the forecast to build the course. Organizers typically make the call about a week out.
- Sheridan in late January and February runs cold — daytime highs commonly in the 20s and 30s°F, colder at sunrise — and the fairgrounds course is outdoors with little shelter. Dress for standing outside for hours, not just walking to your car.
- Red Grade Road, the route up into the Bighorn Mountains, is closed to wheeled vehicles every winter from December 15 through April 1 — this isn't a trip to pair with a mountain drive. I-90 and I-25 stay open but can see short-notice winter storm closures; check WYDOT road conditions (511 or wyoroad.info) before driving in.
Not yet confirmed
- • 2027 dates for the Winter Rodeo and the skijoring races — not yet announced by Sheridan County Travel & Tourism or wyowinterrodeo.org as of this writing. Historically held late January or early February.
- • Whether the skijoring races run at all in a given year — organizers have canceled 3 of the last 5 years for lack of snow, usually announced about a week ahead.
- • Spectator admission for the skijoring races specifically. Published entry fees ($100–$200) are for competing teams; other Winter Rodeo events have been advertised as free to watch, but skijoring's own spectator policy isn't published.
- • Which satellite events (sled day, hockey, Antelope Butte ski days) are part of the 2027 lineup.
We publish what we can verify. Anything above should be confirmed with the organiser before you make travel plans.
Updated September 2026. Event details change year to year — dates, hours, parking and admission should always be confirmed against wyowinterrodeo.org before you travel. Wyo Stays is a lodging operator, not the organiser of this event.
Which of our places suit this
Sheridan is five minutes from the fairgrounds and has what the fairgrounds doesn't in February: a warm kitchen, a driveway, and a fireplace for the evening after a few hours standing in the cold. Wyo Stays manages Sheridan vacation rentals with full kitchens, booked direct with a licensed Wyoming brokerage.
A single day of skijoring rarely needs advance lodging on its own — but because the races themselves can be called off for lack of snow with about a week's notice, book something with flexible or free cancellation rather than a non-refundable rate this far out.
Downtown Sheridan Apartment
Five minutes from the fairgrounds by car — easy out for a cold morning of skijoring and back for a warm afternoon.
Sheridan Loft — Walk to Everything
A fireplace to thaw out by after a few hours watching skijoring in the cold, on Main Street a short drive from the fairgrounds.
Circle Bar Manor — Spacious 4BR
Room for the whole group if you're driving up together — budget-friendly, pet-friendly, close to downtown.
How far is Sheridan? Drive times
| From | Distance | Drive time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, WY | 35 miles | ~35 min | I-90 north |
| Gillette, WY | ~103 miles | ~1 hr 30 min | I-90 west |
| Billings, MT | ~130 miles | ~2 hr | I-90 south |
| Casper, WY | ~149 miles | ~2 hr 15 min | I-25 north to I-90 |
Billings Logan (BIL) is the nearest major airport at roughly two hours north. Sheridan County Airport (SHR) sits five miles from downtown and carries commercial service via Denver — routes and frequency change year to year, so check current schedules.
What else to do that weekend
Sheridan WYO Rodeo (the summer one)
A completely different event five months later — bull riding and Indian Relay instead of horses and skis.
Read
Big Horn polo season
The Bird Farm Road grounds' other season, in summer.
Read
Things to do in Sheridan
What else is open in Sheridan in February.
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All Sheridan events
What else is on the calendar that week.
Read
Frequently asked questions
What is the Sheridan WYO Winter Rodeo?
A winter event series in Sheridan, Wyoming built around equestrian skijoring — a skier towed by a galloping horse over jumps and through slalom gates on packed snow — plus a handful of satellite events around town. It's organized by Sheridan County Travel & Tourism and is a completely separate event from the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, the PRCA rodeo held every July.
When is the 2027 Sheridan WYO Winter Rodeo?
Not yet announced. The event has historically run in late January or early February — the 2026 skijoring race was scheduled for February 7 — but neither Sheridan County Travel & Tourism nor the event's official site, wyowinterrodeo.org, had published 2027 dates as of this writing. Check wyowinterrodeo.org before booking travel.
Where is the skijoring race held?
At the Sheridan County Fairgrounds, 1753 Victoria Street, about five minutes from downtown Sheridan — the same grounds used for the Sheridan County Fair. Organizers moved it there after two years staging it downtown on Broadway, specifically so they could control snow conditions on the course.
What is skijoring?
A winter sport where a skier or snowboarder, holding a tow rope, is pulled by a galloping horse and rider through a course of jumps, slalom gates and rings. The Sheridan WYO Winter Rodeo runs five divisions — Open/Pro, Sport, Novice, Youth and Snowboard — each with its own entry fee for competing teams.
Could the skijoring races be canceled?
Yes, and it's happened before. Organizers have canceled the skijoring races three of the last five years for lack of snow, most recently in 2026, when the snowpack and forecast didn't leave enough to safely build the course. The call is typically made about a week ahead. Book lodging with flexible cancellation rather than a non-refundable rate.
What else happens during the Winter Rodeo besides skijoring?
Past editions have paired the skijoring race with a Family Sled Day at Trail End State Historic Site, a Sheridan Hawks hockey night at the Whitney Rink, and ski days at Antelope Butte Ski Area. Organizers add and drop events year to year — check wyowinterrodeo.org for the current lineup.
Is it free to watch?
The published entry fees ($100–$200 per team) are for competitors, not spectators. Organizers haven't published a spectator admission policy specifically for the skijoring races — other Winter Rodeo events have been advertised as free to attend — so confirm before you go.
Where should I stay for the Sheridan WYO Winter Rodeo?
In a Sheridan vacation rental a few minutes from the fairgrounds. Wyo Stays manages Sheridan rentals with full kitchens and, at several properties, a fireplace or off-street parking — useful after a few cold hours outside. Book direct at wyostays.com to avoid platform service fees.
What should I know about winter driving to Sheridan?
Red Grade Road, the route up into the Bighorn Mountains, is closed to wheeled vehicles every winter from December 15 through April 1 — this isn't a trip to pair with a mountain drive. I-90 and I-25 stay open but can see short-notice winter storm closures; check WYDOT road conditions (511 or wyoroad.info) before driving in from Buffalo, Gillette, Billings or Casper.
How far is Sheridan from Buffalo, Gillette, Billings or Casper?
Buffalo is 35 miles south on I-90, about 35 minutes. Gillette is roughly 103 miles east, about an hour and a half. Billings, Montana is about 130 miles north, roughly two hours, and is the nearest major airport. Casper is about 149 miles south, roughly two and a quarter hours.
Book the room before you plan the rest
Sheridan is a small town with a big calendar. Lodging is the constraint, not the tickets.
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