Ski jöring is an unusual sport, inspired by an ancient Lappish practice. Equipped with skis or a snowboard, you are pulled along by a horse with a rope and a harness. Pays-d’Enhaut organises introductions to this sport as well as impressive races throughout the winter season.
Several thousand years ago, the Lapps used this means of transport across the snowy landscapes. They put on rudimentary skis and had themselves towed by reindeer. At the beginning of the 20th century, this practice inspired the Swiss inventor of skijöring, who replaced the reindeer by horses.
On ski or snowboard, the sportsperson is attached to the horse by a harness and a rope. Depending on the pace communicated to the animal, skijöring takes the form of a pleasant stroll in the snowy forest or a speedy race.
In Pays-d’Enhaut in the Vaudois Alps, fans of horses and skiing have created an association to modernize this activity and turn it into a fully-fledged winter sport. Introductory courses for one to ten persons take place throughout the season. In mid-February, a race brings together the curious as well as fans of skiing, horse riding and teaming up.
