Fat Bike World Championships: What's New for the 2019 Event

Four years in and things just keep getting wilder at the Borealis Fat Bike World Championships. Yes, we branded someone. Yes, we party every night (and during the day too). And yes, a hoard of Vikings took over the championship race last year. Don’t worry though, they were mostly interested in sessioning the course jump and drinking whiskey.

Crested Butte’s favorite winter event is back January 23-27, 2019 and promises to be even better than before. If you race, ride, experiment, or even just dabble in fat biking, we expect to see you out this year. Here’s a rundown on what’s new for the 4th Annual Borealis Fat Bike Worlds presented by Upslope Brewing Company.

Winter Townie Crit

The newest installment of fat bike madness is the Winter Townie Crit on Sunday, January 27. This closed-course race through downtown Crested Butte is costume-encouraged (dare we say mandatory?) and will feature a “fun” and “pro” heat. The course will loop around the north end of town and up Elk Avenue for 45 minutes before a two-lap sprint to the finish.

As the name implies, this race is open to everybody and every bike (except e-bikes), not just the fatties. If you deem it “road-worthy” it’s fair game, so saddle up your townie, tandem, or trike and get out there. Entry is included in the All-In Pass, or you can register specifically for the Townie Crit here.

New groomed track

This season is big for fat bike specific groomed track all over the Gunnison Valley. Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association has been working hard to get new trail on the ground on Snodgrass, the Skyland golf course, and up Cement Creek. Riding out to the ghost town of Gothic via the newly groomed Gothic Rd. is a 6-mile adventure that is high on the list for tons of fat bikers. Check out their website for an up-to-date grooming report and map.

If you’re staying an extra day or two or you’re looking for somewhere unique to ride during your free time, check out the trail network at Hartman Rocks that’s being groomed by Gunnison Trails. This scenic, high desert collection of trails winds through sage and granite and sees sun almost every day of the year. The most recent grooming report can be found by visiting the Gunnison Trails Facebook page, or on CBMBA’s trail conditions report.

Demos from Borealis, Specialized, Why Cycles, and more

Friday’s demo event is back and freer than ever. Anyone who’s curious can come and find out what fat biking is all about. If you’re bringing family or friends to town for the races, this is your chance to get them hooked on your favorite winter sport. The North Village trails will be groomed after Thursday’s race and open to the public. You can also take a spin up Snodgrass Road to Teddy’s Trail for a solid climb and downhill through the aspens, or spin out Gothic Rd. for a full adventure to an old ghost town.

Borealis, Specialized, and Why Cycles will all be out with their lineup of bikes, and brands like 45 North and Terrene Tires will be on site showing off their best as well.

Of course the wacky staples of the Borealis Fat Bike Worlds will be present throughout the event. Get ready for parties every night, the North Village Classic race on Thursday, and the Championship Race on Saturday with all the drama and costumes you’d expect from Crested Butte. You can register for all of it and get more information at cbfatbikeworlds.com!