The Abominable Snow Tri

Registration Opens Sep 14!

Are you yeti for this?

A sprint distance triathlon unlike any you've experienced in the area before: a winter triathlon! Utilizing 12 miles of trail system at Cannonsburg Ski Area, our race will consist of trail running, fat tire biking, and cross country skiing. We have options for duathlon, single discipline, and relay—there will be something for everyone! Mark your calendars and check the website as more information will be provided as we get closer to race day!

Events

• Triathlon: 2 loops on run course (approx 5k), 1 loop on fat bike course (approx 10k), 1 loop on cross country ski course (approx 2 mi). Entry includes custom snow globe medal, sweat shirt, food, and beer.
• Duathlon: Run/Bike. 2 loops on the run course, followed by 1 loop on the bike course. Entry includes finisher medal, knit hat (or toque for our Canadian friends), food, and beer. Upgrade to this years sweatshirt for $25.
• Single discipline: your choice of a 5K run, or 10K fatbike. Entry includes finisher medal, knit hat (or toque for our Canadian friends), food, and beer. Upgrade to this years sweatshirt for $25.
• Relay: Team of 3-each team member completes the appropriate distance of their assigned event (run, bike, xc ski). Entry includes finisher medal, knit hat, food, and beer. Upgrade to this years sweatshirt for $25.

Double Down Challenge

Sign up for and complete both the Abominable Snow Tri and Gaylord’s Tri 45 winter triathlon and receive some extra bling! Just $10 to register as part of the Abominable Snow Tri and challenge yourself to the only 2 winter triathlons in Michigan! Only eligible to athletes who participate in the triathlon (no duathlon or single discipline racers).

USA Winter Triathlon National Championships

If you've ever wanted to compete at the National Championship level, this is your opportunity! The 2027 Winter Triathlon National Championships will be held by our friends in Gaylord at the Gaylord Tri 45! Qualify at Abominable Snow Tri, and participate at Gaylord Tri 45 on March 6 for your chance to be invited to the world's championship!

https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/frederic/2024GaylordAllOutdoorsTri45WinterTriathlon

Aid Stations

There will be one aid station at the transition area as you exit. Due to the time of year and the difficulty of the trails there will be NO AID STATIONS on any of the courses. We will have cold water and HOT Gatorade! (Apparently, this is a thing in the winter triathlon world).

Packet Pickup

Packet pick up will take place Saturday February 20 from 1-6pm behind the patrol building (between the patrol building and the creek), and Sunday Feb 22 from 6am-7:30.

Race Start Times

• 8am: Full tri and relay start
• 8:05: Duathlon start (run, bike)
• 8:10: Run ONLY
• 8:15: Bike ONLY

Order of Events

For those participating in a multi sport event, this is the order you will be racing:

• Triathlon: Run, bike, XC ski
• Duathlon: Run, bike

Courses

Bike and Run courses will be mostly single track, please follow proper trail etiquette while out on course. If someone is attempting to pass you, please allow them to do so when SAFE by pulling over to the side. Courses will be marked with their own unique color for signs and flags, please pay attention to what color and course to follow.

Run Course

Course is marked with BLUE flags and signs. The run course will take place on the Dirt Dawg and Haunted Forest trail located in front of the main parking lot. This course can get technical, especially over in the Haunted Forest section. Some sort of traction device is recommended if there is snow. There are some steep hills and quick turns you will need to navigate. You will complete TWO LOOPS to get 5k travelling counter clockwise. There will be signs, markers, and volunteers to help direct you.

Bike Course

Bike course is marked with ORANGE flags and signs. A big thanks to Bill Norman for helping us plan out a 10k section for the race and for grooming! The bike course utilizes a nearly 10K groomed loop that winds through the woods behind the ski area. Bike course is roughly 90% single track, with some two track that will be shared with the cross country course. Bike course has roughly 450ft of elevation gain, expect some short but punchy hills. For up to date trail conditions please follow West Michigan Trail Conditions on Facebook. As a reminder: just like in a regular triathlon, you are NOT allowed to ride your bike into or out of transition! There will be designated marked areas instructing you where you are allowed to mount or dismount your bike at the transition area. You must have a fat bike! Anyone with tires less than 3.8in wide will not be allowed to race-snow or no snow. Studded tires are allowed.

Cross Country Ski Course

Course is marked with GREEN flags and signs. The ski course is a roughly 2 mile loop around the back of the ski area, with some shared track and intersections with the bike course, and some shared with the downhill ski runs. Classic AND skate skis are allowed, and we do not have separate categories for each. It is a technical course-there are a few areas that are not wide enough to skate. We will groom the course as weather allows for people to practice on. We will NOT have cut in tracks for classic skiing, but of course people are welcome to do whatever style of cross country skiing they are most comfortable with. In the event of no natural snow, racers will complete laps at the base of the ski area in the man made snow. You are NOT allowed to mount your skis in the transition area, please carry these to the mount line as you did with your bike.

Transition

Transition area will be open to multiple discipline racers only, no single discipline racers are allowed in the transition area. Transition will open at 6:30 am to allow for racers to set up, and close at 7:45am. Please make sure you have everything in place before the transition area closes. We will have bike racks like those you would find at a summer triathlon. 6 bikes to a rack, no assigned spots.

Some things to consider for your transition:

• Run to Bike: Be sure that your bike equipment is easy to use with gloves on. Putting on a heavier glove and/or jacket for the bike section is often necessary to stay warm. You are not allowed to mount your bike until you get to the mount line, so it helps to practice running with your bike in the snow!
• Bike to Ski: You are allowed to ski with your bike helmet on. Ski boots are not the fastest or easiest shoes to take on and off, and you must carry your skis and poles out to the mount line. Practice makes perfect!

Age Group Awards

We have some nice embroidered fleece beanies we will be giving out for age group awards! Awards will go to top 3 male and female for the triathlon race in the following age ranges:

• 29 and under
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60 and up

Awards will happen around 11