Steep n' Deep XC

The Ultimate Downcountry Experience

Steep n’ Deep XC returns for its second edition, bringing to life a new era of mountain bike racing on the world-class trails of Fernie BC. More than just a bike race. Steep n’ Deep XC offers a weekend of festivities at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre and Mount Fernie Provincial Park with Friday Afternoon Rider Social & Package Pickup, Saturday’s racing followed by finish line festivities back at the Nordic Centre with live music, awards, BBQ, and our FTA Fundraiser Beer Garden.

Steep n’ Deep XC showcases a new age of mountain bike racing featuring an enduro formatted course with 4 unique timed stages around the world-class Mount Fernie Provincial Park. Each of the 4 timed stages will vary in terrain, climbing, and descending and will count towards your overall time. 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.

New to 2026! Following Saturday’s Steep n’ Deep XC racing, the inaugural Fernie Femmduro (Fernie Women’s Enduro) will be taking place back at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. For all ladies who didn't get enough racing on Saturday, we invite you back for Femmduro Sunday, September 27th.

Schedule

• Rider Social, Vendor Village & Package Pickup | Friday, September 25th
  2:00pm to 7:00pm - Rider Social, Vendor Village & Package Pickup at the Elk Valley Nordic Center
• Race Day | Saturday, September 26th
  7:30am to 9:00am - Late Rider Package Pickup at the Elk Valley Nordic Center
  9:45am - Start #1 Long Course Start for Elite E-Bike Category
  10:00am - Start #2 Long Course Start for All Other Categories
  10:15am - Start #3 Short Course Start
  12:00pm - Finish Line Vibes Begin
  12:00pm to 3:00pm - DJ & Live Entertainment
  3:00pm to 4:00pm - Awards Presentation
  5:00pm - Venue Closes

Entry Includes:

• Race entry for the distance of your choice.
• Race plate, professional timing, local's course design, well marked course, and certified first aid throughout.
• On-course Stoke Stations stocked with hydration, tasty snacks and the most stoked volunteers.
• Complimentary Post-Race Meal.
• Complimentary first drink on the house.
• Rider package with goodies from our sponsors.

Entry Fee

• Adult Entry: $150 + taxes and processing fees
• Junior Entry (18 years old and younger): $80 + taxes and processing fees

Note: Riders 18 and younger are encouraged to participate in the Short Course. Riders 18 and under who are capable of competing in the Long Course can register for the Open category.

Categories:

• Junior Men (18 years and younger)
• Junior Women (18 years and younger)
• Open Women
• Open Men
• Master Men 50+
• Master Women 50+
• Adaptive Men
• Adaptive Women
• E-Bike Men (Long Course Only)
• E-Bike Women (Long Course Only)

Local Legends Podium: There will be an additional podium awarding the fastest Fernie locals of the Day! When registering, you must select a category listed above in addition to selecting the Local's competition.

The Routes

Long Course Details

Long course riders will take on a 30-35km course with ~1,500m of climbing. Within the course, there will be 4 timed stages broken down in more detail below. It’s going to be a rough, rowdy and technical race with steep ups, but not to worry, when you’re on the clock, there’s a whole lotta down. Course file to be released soon.

Short Course Details

Short course riders will take on a 24-27km course with ~900m of climbing. Within the course, there will be 3 timed stages broken down in more detail below. Course file to be released soon.

Both the Short and Long courses will feature one blind stage. The blind stage will be released the morning of the race. Riders can expect the blind stage to be rated Blue, with a bit of technical rooty features, bits of flow, and the majority of the stage being downhill.

Recommended Equipment

All mountain bikes are welcome, but a XC or mid-travel bike will serve you best across all 4 stages. Don’t underestimate the distance, plan to be out longer than expected and pack extra food, water, and weather-appropriate gear. For tires, we recommend something burly yet fast-rolling, like a Schwalbe 2.4 Wicked Will up front paired with a 2.4 Rick XC or Racing Ralph in the rear. This is not your traditional XC race. You absolutely will need burly tires.

Refund and Transfer Policy

Please see below our refund and transfer policy. FOR REFUNDS, the percentages listed below are based on registration prices. Unfortunately, we cannot refund the transaction fees that are applied at checkout. Riders have the option to purchase third-party refund protection at checkout. If you do not purchase refund protection, you will be subject to the following refund protocols:

• Registration Open Date - July 30th: 100% Refund
• July 31st - August 27th: 75% Refund
• August 28th - September 10th: 50% Refund
• September 11th - Event Date: 0% Refund

FOR TRANSFERS, transfers between participants can be made through your Participant Race Roster Dashboard up to two weeks before the event date. There is an additional $3.00+tax processing fee for participant-to-participant transfers. If you wish to change distances after registering, please contact [email protected].

RCR Event Release Agreement

All competitors must complete the online RCR Event Release Agreement(s) prior to completing registration. Competitors 16yrs and older must complete the RCR Event Agreement. The competitor can complete this waiver. Competitors 15 yrs and younger must complete BOTH the RCR Event Agreement AND the RCR Parental Agreement. The competitor's parent or legal guardian must complete these two agreements in the competitor's name. Once complete, you will receive a unique "Agreement ID" for each waiver you fill out. Please save the ID code(s), as you will need to enter the code(s) during the registration process below. Links to the Release Agreements: RCR Event Release Agreement - https://passes.skircr.com/event RCR Parental Release Agreement - https://passes.skircr.com/parental