Steep n’ Deep XC 2025

A New Age of Mountain Bike Racing at the Ultimate Downcountry Experience.

This September 12-13th Anything Goes Event Series embraces its mountain bike roots, bringing you our newest event, Steep n’ Deep XC at the legendary Fernie Alpine Resort.

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 the Resort that will count towards riders’ overall time. 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.

Race Entry

Includes professional timing, well-marked course, on-course refuels, access to all pre- & post-race festivities, rider swag bag, finish line burger & beer, a chance to win epic prizes from our sponsors and a $4k cash purse for the pro category.

Race Format & Course Details

Steep n’ Deep XC follows a similar race format to an enduro, with one course that features multiple timed stages where the racing will take place. However, unlike an enduro, our course features 4 timed stages that vary in terrain, difficulty and duration with a healthy dose of climbing, not just descending. Riders can expect a total ride time ranging from 2.5 to 4 hours to complete the ~33km course with ~1,400m elevation gain. Riders can also expect a cumulative race time of 1.0-2.0 hours across the 4 timed stages. Stages can be completed individually or as a group.

The course is designed to provide riders with multiple opportunities to refuel on snacks and smiles at the Stoke Station before heading out to the next stage. In true down-country fashion, riders can expect a negative rise over the run within the timed segments. However, don’t be deceived by the number of kilometres and net positive descent to ascent. This is a very hard course. The climbing both in and out of the timed stages are steep and plentiful, and the descents are everything from fast and flowy to steep, loose and technical. This is a proper mountain bike race.

The final course details will be released at a later date. However, key trails include the fast and loamy Double Creek, two of the resort’s classic flow-jump lines, Mr. Berms & Top Gun, the stunning yet steep Megasaurus climb, the extremely rough and tumble Rumplestumpskin, and much more.

Event Schedule

Rider Social | Friday, September 12th 

4:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Rider Social & Package Pickup at Legends Mountain Eatery

Race Day | Saturday, September 13th 

7:30 am to 9:00 am – Late Rider Package Pickup at Plaza

9:30 am to 10:30 – Wave Starts for Categories (see race guide for official category start times)

Noon – Finish Line Vibes Begin

4:00 pm – Awards & Cash Purse Presentation

5:00 pm – Little Bit Good Band Live

7:00 pm to Late – Griz Bar Afterparty

Awards & Cash Purse

Awards will honour the following:

• Top 3 Adaptive/Para
• Top 3 Open M/W
• Top 3 Junior  M/W
• Top 3 Locals M/W
• Top 5 Pro M/W

The $4,000 cash purse is exclusive to the Pro Category and will be shared among the Top 5 Pro Male and Pro Female finishers, as noted below.

Recommended Equipment

All mountain bikes are welcome. Cross-country or mid-travel mountain bikes are likely the best setup across all 4 stages. Do not underestimate 35km. Prepare to be out longer than expected, bring extra food, water and weather-appropriate gear. We’re racing in the Rockies after all!