Lake Minnetonka Magazine:
Lead Dog Sponsor. Photo: Kate Evans Photography
Gather with the community to experience a true winter extravaganza in the heart of Excelsior.
Embrace winter adventure at the annual Klondike Dog Derby February 13 and 14 by participating in prerace events and cheering on world class mushers and dogs. The teams will race through the snowy streets and shores of Lake Minnetonka as part of the only professional dog sled race in North America taking place in a major metropolitan area.
Free, family-friendly festivities will kick off at 4 p.m. February 13 in downtown Excelsior with Meet the Mushers and Hug-a-Husky events. The 40-mile race will commence at 10 a.m. February 14, and teams will trek from Water Street out along Lake Minnetonka. The first finisher is expected back on Water Street around 1:30 p.m.
A two-day concert series, hosted by Maynards, will coincide with the race on February 13 and 14. The concerts will aid in fundraising for the sled dog race, which welcomes donations. Net profits are donated to the derby’s charity partners: Can-Do Canines, Cast Outdoor Adventures and the ICA Food Shelf.
The event offers “a tribute to the history of sled dog racing in Excelsior and the Lake Minnetonka area,” which dates back to the Klondike Days of the 1930s, says Dale Kurscher, board member for the event. Past races have attracted 40,000 spectators, and the 2026 derby promises a community celebration and educational experience that Kurscher hopes will bring people together to support “the incredible athleticism and passion of sled dogs and mushers.”
More information can be found on klondikedogderby.com.
