2026 Feisty Rooster XC Ski Provincials and Fat Bike Race

Dates: February 7th & 8th, 2026

We are excited to host this 2-day event on the beautiful trails in Turtle Mountain Provincial Park and the International Peace Garden. It's a great opportunity to bring together the XC Ski and Fat Bike communities and have an amazing weekend!

The 'Feisty Rooster' gets its name from a rooster that was found at the Adam Lake trails years ago. 'Adam' the rooster was a feisty one and worthy of having an event named after!

Saturday Schedule

XC Ski Classic Technique - Mass Start (category waves) & Fat Bike Race

Adam Lake (Winter Recreation ski trails trailhead), Turtle Mountain Provincial Park

Start/Finish is located 600m down the main trail, this section of trail can be used for warm-up area.

Race Schedule:

9:30 am - Coaches Meeting (Skating Pond Hut)

10:00 am - U10 (1 km - starting from trailhead at Parking Lot)

10:45 am - Course Closes (can still use 'warm-up' trail)

11:00 am - U20, U18, U16 (category waves 30 seconds apart, 2.8 km lap x 3 = 8.4 km)

12:00 pm - U14 (2.8 km lap x 2 = 5.6 km)

12:01 pm - U12 (1 lap - 2.8 km)

12:45 pm - Masters & Feisty Citizen Pre-Race Meeting at Start/Finish

1:00 pm - Masters & Feisty Citizen XC Ski Race (2.8 km lap + 8 km lap = 10.8 km)

1:30 pm - Feisty Fat Bike Race (14, 21 km)

*U12 and up Start/Finish area is 500 m down the trail, please be at the Start/Finish 15 minutes before your start time (there is no washroom there).

Bib pick up:

Pick up your xc ski bibs or biking plates 30-60 minutes before your start time at the registration table.

Warm-up huts

There are 4 warm-up huts located near the Winter Recreation parking lot. The Toboggan Hill hut is for registration and lunch. The Skating Pond and 2 Hockey Rink huts can be used to stay warm and store your gear. Space will be limited so please be mindful of others.

Snacks

Post-race snacks, Gatorade and water will be available at the Registration Tent.

Washrooms

There is a heated modern washroom at the Winter Recreation parking lot.

Lunch

Lunch will be available at the toboggan hill warm-up shelter from 12:00 - 2 pm. Lunch is served by the Turtle Mountain Metis Local, (chili, bun & dessert for $10, cash only)

Trail Users

These trails are in the Provincial Park and available for all, please be mindful of other trail users.

Canada Games Qualifier Wax Protocol

Athletes who are racing this event as a qualifier for the 2027 Canada Games will be using the same wax. An email to these athletes will be sent out.

6:00 pm - Feast/ Awards @ Camp Koinonia

International flavours feast (Israeli, Eritrean, Italian).

Bring your own wine/drinks (please do so responsibly).

Race category awards and door prizes.

Sunday Schedule

Skate Ski Mass Start

International Peace Garden trails

Race Schedule:

9:30 am - Coaches Meeting @ Start/Finish Washroom Shelter

10:00 am - U10 (1 km), U12 (2.5 km, using warm-up trail)

10:45 am - Course Closes

11:00 am - U20, U18, U16, U14 (category waves 30 seconds apart, 5 km)

12:00 pm - Masters (5 km lap x 2 = 10 km) and the Feisty Citizen Skate Ski Race (5 km)

Bib pick up:

Pick up your bibs in the Interpretive Centre 30-60 minutes before your start time.

Washrooms:

There is a heated modern washroom in the Interpretive Centre and Start/Finish shelter.

Snacks

Post-race snacks, Gatorade and water will be available at the Start/Finish washroom.

Lunch

Lunch is available for purchase courtesy of our local ski club. (ham & cheese croissant with fancy mustard or veggie/hummus croissant with a bag of chips and an apple - $10)

Awards / Prizes

~1:30 pm - Race category awards and door prizes will be given out at the Interpretive Centre following the races

Passports/ID

Photo ID is required for re-entry into Canada, passports are preferred.

You will not have to cross into the USA customs to gain entry into the Peace Garden.

Canada Games Qualifier Wax Protocol

Athletes who are racing this event as a qualifier for the 2027 Canada Games will be using the same wax. An email to these athletes will be sent out.

Gate/Trail Fees

A local donor has paid for all gate/trail fees for participants!

Accomodations

Camp Koinonia is the feature accomodation for the weekend. They have a variety of rooms (private, shared, dorm) and Mini-Lodge available. Heated wax space is available. Saturday & Sunday breakfasts are included in your stay. Also the location for the Saturday Feast. Canada Games Qualifier skiers must also drop skis off here for waxing. Contact them directly at 204-534-2504, campkoinoniainfo@gmail.com for bookings.

There are a lot of other amazing local places to stay, including:

Back 40 Hideaway, www.theback40hideaway.com

Parkside Inn, www.stayparkside.ca

Room to Grow, www.roomtogrowinfo.ca

Turtle Mountain Adventure Huts, www.adventurehuts.ca

International Peace Garden, www.peacegarden.com

For more information contact Pauline laughingmagpie@xplornet.com

or Casey casey@caseyguentherdesigns.com