This story appears in the February 2026 issue of Utah Business. Subscribe.
Longtime luxury ranch manager Brian Gardner has dedicated his life to celebrating the Western lifestyle — and he’s bringing the spirit of the West alive in a whole new way with the PRO Skijor Frontier Tour. This competition, billed as the first professional skijoring series in North America, culminates in Salt Lake City at the end of this month.
“Utah has a very rich heritage in ranching, agriculture and farming. It also has an equally rich worldwide fame for its skiing,” he says. “Skijoring combines those two worlds. It should be Utah’s sport, in my opinion.” With ambitions of expanding the circuit into a world championship, Gardner aims to elevate the sport to household fame and potentially establish it as an exhibition sport in Utah’s 2034 Winter Olympics.
Prinoth Husky Snow Groomer
“The ability to shape snow anywhere makes this an essential tool for transforming rodeo arenas into professional venues.”
TechnoAlpin snowmaking fan guns
“When Mother Nature needs a helping hand, these fan guns guarantee safe, consistent snow surfaces across multiple tour stops, extending our season and ensuring every athlete and horse competes on high-quality terrain.”
Incredible competitor athletes: Horse, rider and skier
“None of this would be possible without the remarkable athletes who bring skijoring to life. Skilled horsemen and horsewomen, fearless skiers with heart and grit, and — most importantly — our phenomenal horses, the true superstars of the sport. I am especially proud of and thankful for my horse, Rowdy, who loves skijoring events as much as I do.”
DeWalt cordless tool set
“From repairing snowmaking lines to building VIP zones and signage, a dependable cordless tool set travels to every stop on the tour.”
Ford 4x4 Power Stroke diesel truck
“Part office, part mobile command center, part tow rig. This truck hauls gear, pulls trailers and handles everything the winter frontier throws at us.”
Fan experience blueprints & course maps
“The event is more than the race; it’s a whole festival vibe. Detailed layouts for VIP decks, vendor villages, tailgate zones, spectator flow, safety grids and course design shape the entire guest experience and ensure seamless operations.”
