Veteran musher Morgan Anderson of Enterprise drives her dogs off the starting line in the 100-mile race Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, in this year’s Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race. A lack of snow may force the cancellation of this year's race.

ENTERPRISE — “Hope for snow,” is what Dr. Randy Greenshields is saying, as the days draw near with little of the white stuff before the annual Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race.

Greenshields, a veterinarian at Double Arrow Veterinary Clinic in Enterprise who helps with the dog examinations before each year’s race, said Tuesday, Jan. 2, that the event’s board will meet Saturday to decide if this year’s race will take place. An announcement will follow the meeting to let mushers know they won’t have to travel — if indeed the race is canceled.

The event is scheduled for Jan. 17-20. The vet checks are in Enterprise and Joseph on Jan. 17, with the race starting the next day at Ferguson Ridge Ski Area.

Adrianne Gass, who runs the ski shop at Fergi, said Tuesday that there’s no snow at the ski area.

Greenshields said the board will take into account the forecast and the likelihood of having the required 40 inches of snow on the ground at the course east of Joseph.

The race has been run since 2005 and has never before been canceled because of the weather. The only year it was canceled was in 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the board to shut down the event.

The event features three races: a 31-mile, six-dog mid-distance ran; a 100-mile eight-dog race; and the 200-mile 12-dog race that is a qualifier for the Iditarod and Yukon Quest.

For more information, visit the event’s website at www.eaglecapextreme.com.