Dashing Through the Snow

Your 2026 winter race calendar

By Jamie Kauffold | Dec. 20, 2025

How to stay warm this winter? Keep moving! Ski, snowshoe, bike, or run your way through the cold months with 20+ races happening around northern Michigan.

JANUARY

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026
Forbush Moonlight Snowshoe 5K
Forbush Corner Nordic, Frederic
forbushcorner.com/snowshoeRace.html

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026
Winter Wolf Skiathlon: 5K Classic Skiing; 5K Skate Skiing
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling
hansonhills.org/winter-events

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026
Vasa Raptor Rush Classic: 10K, 5K, 2.5K
Hickory Hills Ski Area, TRAVERSE CITY
nordicskiracer.com/event-details.asp?id=4232

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Cote Dame Marie Ski Loppet: 22K, 11K, 5K
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling
hansonhills.org/winter-events

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Dogman Challenge Fat Bike Race
Mt. McSauba, Charlevoix
dogmanchallenge.net

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Fat & Flurrious Fat Bike Race
*Pictured: Photo by Rob Meendering Photography
Start in downtown Boyne City; race at Avalanche Mountain
fatandflurrious.com

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Frozen Foot Race: 5M & 1M
Eastern Elementary School, TRAVERSE CITY
runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/FrozenFootRace

Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
CCSC Flying Squirrel Nordic Race: 3.5K & 5K Freestyle
Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville
nordicskiracer.com/event-details.asp?id=4235

Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
Nub’s Nob Classic 5K & 12K
Nub’s Nob, Harbor Springs
nordicskiracer.com/event-details.asp?id=4234

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026
Bigfoot Snowshoe Race: 10K, 5K, 1M
Timber Ridge Nordic Center, TRAVERSE CITY
runsnow.com

Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026
Beach Nuts Junior Nordic Race: 1/2K, 1K, 2K, 3K
Nubs Nob, Harbor Springs
nordicskiracer.com/event-details.asp?id=4236

Jan. 27-30, 2026
Special Olympics State Winter Games
GT Resort & Spa, Acme; Schuss Village at Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire; Howe Arena, TRAVERSE CITY
somi.org/wintergames

Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026
Meijer State Games - Forbush Freestyle: 16K & 5K
Forbush Corner, Frederic
stategamesofmichigan.com/events/winter/freestyle2026

FEBRUARY

Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026
Meijer State Games - Hanson Hills Classic: 14K
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling
stategamesofmichigan.com/events/winter/nordic2026

Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026
White Pine Stampede: 40K, 22K, 12.5K
Mancelona High School
whitepinestampede.org

Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026
Forbush Memorial Classic Race: 6K & 12K
Forbush Corner Nordic, Frederic
forbushcorner.com/memorialRace.html

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
North American Vasa Freestyle: 50k, 27k, 12k, Bigfoot Community Relay
Timber Ridge Resort, TRAVERSE CITY
vasa.org/Race/MI/TraverseCity/NorthAmericanVasaFestivalofRaces

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
Betsie Bay Frozen 5K
Elberta Lookout, Bye Rd., Elberta
runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/Elberta/BetsieBayFrozenK

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026
North American Vasa Mark Esper 6K Classic, Lombard Loppet 15K, Vasa Tour 6K, Fat Bike 25K
Timber Ridge Resort, TRAVERSE CITY
vasa.org/Race/MI/TraverseCity/NorthAmericanVasaFestivalofRaces

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
Fatty Caddy Winter Fat Bike Race: 1 Hour (Sport); 2 Hours (Elite)
3736 S. Seely Rd., Cadillac
bikesignup.com/Race/MI/Cadillac/FattyCaddyWinterFatBikeRace

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026
33rd Annual Junior Muffin Race: 5K Team Sprint Relay Race, Mini Muffin Freestyle Races
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, Roscommon
nordicskiracer.com/event-details.asp?id=4226

Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
Black Mountain 31K Classic
The Chateau at Black Mountain, Cheboygan
nordicskiracer.com/event-details.asp?id=4246

MARCH

Sunday, March 1, 2026
Black Mountain 12K Freestyle
The Chateau at Black Mountain, Cheboygan
nordicskiracer.com/event-details.asp?id=4247

Saturday, March 7, 2026
2026 Gaylord All Outdoors Tri 45 Winter Triathlon: Solo, Group, Duathlon Bike/Run
4971 W. Co. Rd. 612, Frederic
trisignup.com/Race/MI/frederic/2024GaylordAllOutdoorsTri45WinterTriathlon

Sunday, March 8, 2026
Michigan Cup Relays
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, Roscommon
nordicskiracer.com/event-details.asp?id=4227

Saturday, March 14, 2026
Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K
Lake Ave., Old Town TRAVERSE CITY
runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/LeapinLeprechaun5K