This season’s bountiful snow doesn’t just mean bad driving conditions and a backache from shoveling — it also means that the race is on. The Lone Cone Conquest sled dog race will have more than enough snow to ready the course for Feb. 9-10.

Race organizer and sled dog enthusiast Jim Hoffman says that the stellar snow conditions should mean a good turnout for the event.

“I think we’re going to have at least as many if not more teams than last year,” says Hoffman. “If mother nature cooperates it’s probably one of the fastest trails in the nation.”

The Lone Cone Conquest drew between 35-40 teams last year, according to Hoffman, but has lured as many as 70 teams in good years like this one. He says that the purse is about $6,000, and that the event is still seeking sponsors and a vendor to serve breakfast and lunch up on the course, at 9,000 feet in elevation about 8 miles south of Norwood on the Lone Cone Road.

To sponsor, volunteer or find out more about the race visit www.loneconeconquest.com, or call Hoffman at 327-4555.