The Abominable Snow Tri
- Date:
- Sun, Feb 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location:
-
6800 Cannonsburg Rd NE
Kent County, Michigan
49306
United States
OpenStreetMap Google Maps - Links:
- runsignup.com
- Tags:
- 3 Miles 6 Miles 8 Miles Duathlon Run Triathlon
Are you yeti for this?
A sprint distance triathlon unlike any you've experienced in the area before; a winter triathlon! Utilizing 12 miles of trail system at Cannonsburg Ski Area, our race will consist of trail running, fat tire biking, and cross country skiing. We have options for duathlon, single discipline, and relay-so there will be something for everyone! Mark your calendars and check the website as more information will be provided as we get closer to race day!
Events
Triathlon: 2 loops on run course (approx 5k), 1 loop on fat bike course (approx 10k), 1 loop on cross country ski course (approx 2 mi). Entry includes custom snow globe medal, sweat shirt, food, and beer.
Duathlon: Run/Bike. 2 loops on the run course, followed by 1 loop on the bike course. Entry includes finisher medal, knit hat (or toque for our Canadian friends), food, and beer. Upgrade to this years sweatshirt for $20.
Single discipline: your choice of a 5K run, or 10K fatbike. Entry includes finisher medal, knit hat (or toque for our Canadian friends), food, and beer. Upgrade to this years sweatshirt for $20.
Relay: Team of 3-each team member completes the appropriate distance of their assigned event (run, bike, xc ski). Entry includes finisher medal, knit hat, food, and beer. Upgrade to this years sweatshirt for $20.
Double Down Challenge
Sign up for and complete both the Abominable Snow Tri and Gaylord’s Tri 45 winter triathlon and receive some extra bling! Just $10 to register as part of the Abominable Snow Tri and challenge yourself to the only 2 winter triathlons in Michigan! Only eligible to athletes who participate in the triathlon (no duathlon or single discipline racers).
Aid Stations
There will be one aid station at the transition area as you exit. Due to the time of year and the difficulty of the trails there will be NO AID STATIONS on any of the courses. We will have cold water and HOT Gatorade! (Apparently this is a thing in the winter triathlon world).
Packet Pickup
Packet pick up will take place Saturday February 21 from 1-6pm behind the patrol building (between the patrol building and the creek), and Sunday Feb 22 from 6am-7:30.
Race Start Times
We are going to try and stagger our race starts to help spread out people on the trails. Start times will be based on your registered event.
8am: Full tri and relay start
8:05: Duathlon start (run, bike)
8:10: Run ONLY
8:15: Bike ONLY
Order of Events
For those participating in a multi sport event, this is the order you will be racing:
Triathlon: Run, bike, XC ski
Duathlon: Run, bike
Courses
Bike and Run courses will be mostly single track, please follow proper trail etiquette while out on course. If someone is attempting to pass you, please allow them to do so when SAFE by pulling over to the side. Courses will be marked with their own unique color for signs and flags, please pay attention to what color and course to follow.
Run Course
Course is marked with BLUE flags and signs. The run course will take place on the Dirt Dawg and Haunted Forest trail located in front of the main parking lot. This course can get technical, especially over in the Haunted Forest section. Some sort of traction device is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if there is snow! There are some steep hills and quick turns you will need to navigate. You will complete TWO LOOPS to get 5k travelling counter clockwise. There will be signs, markers, and volunteers to help direct you.
Bike Course
Bike course is marked with ORANGE flags and signs. A big thanks to Bill Norman for helping us plan out a 10k section for the race and for grooming! The bike course utilizes a nearly 10K groomed loop that winds through the woods behind the ski area. Bike course is roughly 90% single track, with some two track that will be shared with the cross country course. Bike course has roughly 450ft of elevation gain, expect some short but punchy hills. For up to date trail conditions please follow West Michigan Trail Conditions on Facebook. As a reminder: just like in a regular triathlon, you are NOT allowed to ride your bike into or out of transition! There will be designated marked areas instructing you where you are allowed to mount or dismount your bike at the transition area. You must have a fat bike! Anyone with tires less than 3.8in wide will not be allowed to race-snow or no snow. Studded tires are allowed.
Cross Country Ski Course
Course is marked with GREEN flags and signs. The ski course is a roughly 2 mile loop around the back of the ski area, with some shared track and intersections with the bike course, and some shared with the downhill ski runs. Classic and skate skis are allowed, however it is a technical course for skate skiing and has short sections that are not wide enough for skating. We will NOT have cut in tracks for classic skiing, but of course people are welcome to do whatever style of cross country skiing they are most comfortable with. In the event of no snow, racers will complete one additional loop on the run course following the bike. You are NOT allowed to mount your skis in the transition area, please carry these to the mount line as you did with your bike.
Transition
Transition area will be open to multiple discipline racers only, no single discipline racers are allowed in the transition area. Transition will open at 6:30 am to allow for racers to set up, and close at 7:45am. Please make sure you have everything in place before the transition area closes. We will have bike racks like those you would find at a summer triathlon. 6 bikes to a rack, no assigned spots.
Some things to consider for your transition:
Run to Bike – Be sure that your bike equipment is easy to use with gloves on. Putting on a heavier glove and/or jacket for the bike section is often necessary to stay warm. You are not allowed to mount your bike until you get to the mount line, so it helps to practice running with your bike in the snow!
Bike to Ski – You are allowed to ski with your bike helmet on. Ski boots are not the fastest or easiest shoes to take on and off, and you must carry your skis and poles out to the mount line. Practice makes perfect!
Age Group Awards
We have some nice embroiderd fleece beanies we will be giving out for age group awards! Awards will go to top 3 male and female for the triathlon race in the following age ranges:
29 and under
30-39
40-49
50-59
60 and up
Awards will happen around 11am. If it's not too cold we will try to have awards outside. Hopefully as the race grows in future years we will be able to offer awards to our other race events as well!
Weather Policy
We're doin' the thing no matter the weather! Should we have no snow racers will complete either one or two loops (yet to be determined) along the base of the ski hill. One loop is slightly less than 1.5 miles with minimal elevation change.
Post Race Celebration
Make sure to bring a change of clothes after the event to celebrate. Archival Brewing will be in The Sweet Spot (the shipping container on the deck) serving chili for registered participants. Saugatuck Brewing will also be providing complementary post race beers for participants in a tent right by The Sweet Spot. MAKE SURE TO KEEP YOUR RACE BIB AS THIS IS YOUR FOOD AND DRINK TICKET. Family and friends may purchase beers and food up in the Cedar Lounge inside the lodge. Meijer has donated food and we will have s’mores stations set up at various bonfires at the base of the ski hill and on the deck. We will have age group awards (fleece beanies) and these will take place outside if the weather cooperates. The lodge will be open for participants to use, and the ski area has been making some pretty amazing brunch specials that will be available for purchase.