With the Hot Hounds Dryland summer dog races done with, the Dog Powered Sports Association of the Yukon (DPSAY) are charging ahead with big plans for the upcoming winter season.

Top of the list is the 2012 River Runner 130 and the Inaugural Skijor-65.

This mid-distance race will be held again on Rendezvous weekend (Feb. 25-26) with a similar set-up to last year.

Participants will dogsled or skijor from Shipyard's Park to Mendenhall and return with a six-hour layover in Mendenhall. The start time is set for 3 p.m. on Feb. 25.

New this year, however, will be the 65-mile skijor category that will start in Shipyard's Park and finish in Mendenhall.

More River Runner information will be made available on the DPSAY website, http://dpsay.wordpress.com/, along with details of the race committee members.

DPSAY is also seeking a volunteer coordinator.

The next planning meeting for the River Runner will be held at 42 Dieppe Drive starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Also upcoming will be the DPSAY Twister, formerly the Copper Haul Twister.

Coordinators of the monthly short race series are working to prepare for the 2011-2012 season, which is scheduled to start the last weekend of November.

This season will feature a revamped set of rules and a new format that will see the race change locations throughout the season.

On Dec. 15, DPSAY, in partnership with Dr. Candace Stuart of All Paws Veterinary Clinic, will hold a Dog Care Info Night for anyone with dogs involved in winter activities.

The evening will feature information to carry dog owners and their dogs through the winter season, with tips for prevention of injury and illness and basic health care and nutrition tips.

This season, DPSAY will also add a classifieds section to its website. This will be the spot to check for deals on musher's selling gear, links to other similar organizations or events in different regions or to advertise your wares.