Steep n' Deep XC

Experience the thrill of Fernie's premier mountain bike race, Steep n’ Deep XC, set for September 25-26. This year marks its second edition and promises an exhilarating weekend filled with world-class trails at Mount Fernie Provincial Park.
The adventure kicks off on Friday evening with a Rider Social & Package Pickup at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. Gather around to meet fellow enthusiasts and enjoy some pre-race camaraderie before diving into Saturday’s action-packed racing.
Saturday brings you four unique timed stages, each offering diverse terrain challenges that will test your skills and endurance. With more descending than climbing, this enduro course is a true downcountry experience, where every descent requires careful navigation through steep and technical sections. The race concludes with finish line festivities at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre, complete with live music, awards ceremonies, and delicious BBQ.
For those seeking an encore of adrenaline-fueled racing, Femmduro Sunday on September 27 offers a dedicated women’s enduro event back at the same venue. This is your chance to push yourself in a race designed specifically for female cyclists.
Race day starts early with late rider package pickup from 7:30 am to 9:00 am, followed by three staggered starts – Elite E-Bike Category starting at 10:00 am, and All Other Categories and Short Course riders commencing shortly after. The race concludes around noon when the energy shifts towards post-race celebrations.
Post-race festivities include DJ entertainment from midday to early afternoon, culminating in awards presentations where you’ll be recognized for your efforts on the course. Don’t forget to enjoy a complimentary meal and first drink as part of your entry fee.
Steep n’ Deep XC offers various categories catering to different skill levels, including Junior Men, Junior Women, Open Women, Open Men, Master 50+, Adaptive Men, Adaptive Women, E-Bike Men (Long Course Only), and E-Bike Women (Long Course Only). Each category ensures a fair competition environment.
The long course spans approximately 30-35 kilometers with around 1,500 meters of climbing, divided into four timed stages. The short course covers roughly 24-27 kilometers with about 900 meters of elevation gain and three timed sections. Both courses feature a blind stage released the morning of the event.
To ensure you’re prepared for this demanding race, we recommend using XC or mid-travel bikes equipped with burly yet fast-rolling tires like Schwalbe 2.4 Wicked Will in front paired with either 2.4 Rick XC or Racing Ralph at the back. The race is not just about speed but also strategy and endurance.
Should you need to make changes, transfers between participants can be made up to two weeks before the event date via your Participant Race Roster Dashboard for a processing fee of $3 plus tax. For refunds, early registration offers higher refund percentages, decreasing as we approach the race weekend.
All competitors must complete an online release agreement prior to registration. Riders aged 16 and older can sign alone; those under 15 require both their own event waiver and parental consent. Keep your unique "Agreement ID" handy for easy entry during the registration process.
Join us in Fernie, where the trails are steep, the descents deep, and the spirit of adventure runs high!