Steep n’ Deep XC showcases a new age of mountain bike racing featuring a 35km cross country style course with 4 unique timed stages around Fernie Alpine Resort.
Riders will experience the many phases of mountain biking from hootin’ & hollerin’ on burly descents to feeling the burn up the steep climbs and socializing with your pals during the transfers. In the spirit of downcountry there will be more descending than climbing throughout the 4 timed stages, but beware, each descent will be hard earned.
More than just a bike race. Steep n’ Deep XC offers a weekend of festivities at Fernie Alpine Resort starting with Friday Evening’s Rider Social and Package Pickup at Legends Mountain Eatery, Saturday’s Race Start from the Resort Plaza following up with Finish Line Vibes back at the Plaza with plenty of live entertainment including a Fernie staple, Little Bit Good Band, and a rowdy afterparty at Canada’s most iconic apres bar since 1962, the Griz bar.
REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 29TH
2025 Event Schedule (subject to change).
FULL DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED!
- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH
- 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Social & Package Pick-Up at Legends Mountain Eatery in the Fernie Alpine Resort Plaza
- Kick off the weekend footsteps from the race venue! Come on in, pick up your race package and fill up with a delicious pre-race meal (and beer if you want to be really fast on Saturday)!
- Rider Package includes your fancy race plate by 54blue, timing chip, post race burger and beer ticket and plenty of useful swag from the race sponsors.
- SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH
- 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Downcountry XC Race
- Steep n’ Deep XC will feature some of Fernie Alpine Resorts best through a tough 35km cross country style course with 4 unique timed stages that will count towards your cumulative time.
- Each of the 4 stages will feature a wide variety of terrain ranging from technical climbs to steep descents in addition to untimed transfers in between each stage to catch your breath, socialize, and refuel.
- In the heart of the Canadian Rockies you’re either going up, or you’re going down, so expect every climb to be hard and each descent to be well earned, steep and deep.
- Racers can expect 2.5-4.0 hours out on course, with 1.0-2.0 hours of timed racing. Full course details to be announced but expect it to include some of the Resort’s classics such as Double Creek Trails, Megasaurus, Rumplestump Skin, Top Gun, Mr. Berms, and much more.
- 1:00 pm - Late: Post-Race Celebrations
- After an epic day of mountain biking racing, all riders, friends and family are invited to the Post-Race Celebrations.
- Finish Line Vibes will be brought to you by local hit-band, Little Bit Good Band, followed by Race Awards & Cash Purse Presentations.
- Saturday Night will take it to 11 with the afterparty at Canada’s most iconic Après Ski Bar, the Griz Bar. All festivities are open to the public!
- SUNDAY JULY 13TH
- 43:00 pm: Awards & Cash Purse Presentation
- Award ceremonies including the $4k cash purse presentation for the Pro category will take place at the Ski Hill Plaza. Awards will honour the following categories:
- Top 3 Open M/W
- Top 3 Junior M/W
- Top 3 Locals M/W
- Top 5 Pro M/W
The Fernie Gravel Grind occurs entirely within the traditional territories of the Ktunaxa people. The organisers acknowledge their welcome and graciousness to all riders who seek adventure here.
