Looking Ahead

January 10–12, 2019

Frosty’s Bike Race Series – Jasper

For the third year running, Frosty’s Fat Bike Race Series slides into Jasper, Alta., this January. When most Canadians are pulling on skis or hiding indoors for the winter, fat bikers from across North America will gather high in the Rockies to play in the snow.

“The past two years in Jasper have been quite the adventure. Our team has learned so much, and we are excited for the best Canadian Frosty event yet, Jasper 2019,” says race organizer Randy Gibb, who is based in Utah.

The main event is the Saturday’s endurance XC race. Riders start from the centre of town, and then head up into the Pyramid Bench trails. The Jasper Park Cycling Association grooms the trails for the event, turning summer mountain bike routes into frozen roller-coasters for winter.

Before the racing begins, participants gather for a group ride on Jasper’s Overlander Trail. Temperatures in the past two years have dropped to -30 C, as if the mountains were running their own test for riders ahead of the competition. Race days have been warmer – relatively. Mid-teens have greeted riders before they’ve duelled for their share of $5,000 in cash prizing. The Abominable (pro) event is accompanied by Bigfoot (sport) and Chilly (beginner) categories for those newer to fat biking. Frosty also features an adventure category, which even allows riders to use ebikes, for those who want to experience fat biking without the competition.

In addition to on-bike activities, there’s a Friday social at Jasper Brewing Co., and a banquet at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Gibb and the Frosty crew drive two days each way from Utah, so they make the most of their time in the park.

“Yes, it’s an epic adventure just to get to Jasper,” Gibb says. “But trust me, it’s worth it.” ( frostythefatbike.com)