Caribou council approves backup plan to host 2026 Snow Bowl at recreation center

The Caribou City Council on Dec. 15 agreed to allow the Recreation and Wellness Center to serve as a backup venue for the 2026 Snow Bowl, authorizing use of parks and recreation, public works, police and economic-development resources and allowing fire-department resources as available at the fire chief’s discretion.

Eric Sanderson, the city’s economic and community development specialist, presented a request from organizers Troy Haney and Jim Gamage asking the city to be prepared if weather prevents operation at Spud Speedway. Sanderson told the council the organizers will add the city to municipal liability coverage for event staff and attendees and use waivers for riders. He said volunteers and local contractors have supported similar moves in prior years.

Department heads described logistics and caveats. Public Works (Gary) said staff could leave an upper parking lot unplowed to create space for snow storage and could haul snow on regular time if scheduled in advance. The police department said traffic-control staffing could be provided from a city reserve pool. The fire chief cautioned that ambulance coverage for a 45-minute stunt show could be interrupted by other calls and may not be guaranteed.

Council moved and seconded to approve the use of the Recreation and Wellness Center for the 2026 Snow Bowl as presented; the motion carried unanimously.

Organizers said the event has begun to attract national attention and that having the city as a backup would help local businesses by keeping a major weekend of activity in Caribou if weather permits. The council asked staff to coordinate with organizers and to set a decision checkpoint in mid-January to allow departments sufficient notice.