Embrace winter with these fat bike events across Canada

Find some frozen fun in 2018, from endurance race to beer-based group rides

Terry McKall January 12, 2018

Canadians are a hearty bunch, so it’s no surprise that there is no shortage of fat bike races and events across the country this winter. From short xc races, to marathons, group rides and overnight expeditions, work your way from east to west with this list of fat tire events to ride in 2018.

If you’re interested in any of these events, be sure to check the event page for details. What counts as a fat bike varies widely, and some events offer allow non-fat tire options. There’s plenty of other important details on the event page as well, like licensing requirements and the availability, or lack of heated shelter for post-race de-thawing.

East Coast

Frosted Deer

Feb. 17, 2018 – Oromocto, N.B.
The Frosted Deer takes place on the winding, flat trails of Oromocto, N.B. and, with A, B, C, and D categories for men and women, there’s an event for all abilities.

Big Chill / Grand Frisson fat bike snowshoe duathlon

Feb. 24 – Bathurst, N.B.
If one winter sport isn’t enough for you, Big Chill / Grand Frisson combines fat biking with snowshoeing in a winter duathlon

Defi Fatbike p/b Mike’s Bike Shop
Feb 4 – Dieppe, N.B.
Part of the Dieppe Winter Carnival 2018
Defi fatbike follows a unique format where riders leave in waves of four every minute. Seems cool!

2018 Tour de Beer – Frostival Fredericton

Jan. 20 – Fredericton, N.B.
Calling itself the fondo of fat biking, Tour de Beer is a roaming group ride through Fredericton singletrack, hitting several breweries along the way

Quebec

Traversée du Lac-Saint-Jean
Feb. 15-17 – Lac Saint-Jean, Que
Make the journey up to northern Quebec for Traversée du Lac-Saint-Jean, an annual event running since 2013 that follows a swimming event across the same lake that has been running since 1955.

Ontario

Cannondale Fat Bike Series p/b 45Nrth
Feb. 11 – Devil’s Glen (Collingwood, Ont.)
March 11 – Hardwood Ski and Bike, Ont.
There’s still two of four stops left in the Cannondale Fat Bike Series p/b 45Nrth, so get dressed up and get out there for these shorter, XC type events.

Albion Fat Tire Festival
Jan. 13 – Albion Hills, Caledon, Ont.
Multiple events, including a 20km fat tire race and poker run, comprise the Albion Fat Tire Festival. Online registration is closed, but you can still register day of at the event.

Manitoba

Winnipeg Fat Race Series

This Three event series kicks off with the Falcon Race on Jan. 14th. There’s different distances for different skill levels, and levels of interest in being outside in a Manitoba winter. The series continues with events on Feb. 25 and March 10.

Saskatchewan

Nistowiak and Back
March 17-18 – La Ronge, Sask
Nistowiak and Back fat bike expedition is hosted by the Boreal Outdoor Recreation Association (BORA) of La Ronge, and visits one of the highest waterfalls in Saskatchewan. Details on BORA’s facebook page.

Alberta

Bike Hinton Growler

Feb. 10 – Hinton, Alta.
The Growler is a fat bike endurance race where participants complete as many laps as possible within a 3 hour time limit. There’s also a 1.5 hour ‘Howler’ category for anyone not interested in the full distance, and a ‘Root Beer’ kids category.

Devon Blizzard

Feb. 24 – Devon, Alta.
Claiming status as Alberta’s original fat bike race, the Blizzard is hosted by Shift Happens Bicycle Repair. The Blizzard returns in 2018 for its 6th edition with two different distance options and a kids race.

Grizzly fat bike marathon and relay

Feb. 18 – Canmore Nordic Centre, Alta.
The Grizzly is a 36km fat bike endurance race hosted at the picturesque Canmore Nordic Centre. Ride solo or team up with a friend and tackle the relay.

British Columbia

Rossland Winter Carnival
Jan. 28 – Rossland, B.C.
Canada’s oldest winter carnival, which has been running since 1898, has a fat bike XC race on the calendar for 2018. The carnival hasn’t survived for over a hundred years on fat biking alone, though, so be sure to check out the rest of the weekend’s events. The Sonny Samuelson Bobsled Race and ‘Learn to Luge’ events sound particularly entertaining.

*Yes, that’s the 2017 Rossland Winter Carnival poster. It’s so good it deserves another go and 2018’s isn’t out yet, anyway.