2023 Course Maps
First, this race would not be possible without the cooperation and generosity of several land owners and managers in the Big Sky area. Our courses travel in and out of private and public lands. Putting the routes together, while being mindful of hazards, roads, horse traffic, easements and just good ole’ fashioned manners was not easy. There were numerous conversations, edits, phone calls, meetings, more edits, and then more favors being asked.
60 Mile Course for 2023
This year’s 60 mile course is similar to the 2022 long course, with some spectacular changes. Listen up!
We added an amazing new section of singletrack in the Spanish Peaks neighborhood, which will replace the paved road climb to Fish Camp. The new Poop Chute single-track trail is included, and for the first time in this course you’ll get to descend a portion of Otter Slide. On top of all that, you’ll be riding the Yellow Mule loop in the opposite direction – Up First Yellow Mule and Down Second Yellow Mule. This is actually how most of our Big Sky locals ride this loop – it’ll be interesting to see how the race field does! The 2023 course still includes Mountain to Meadow, Fish Camp, First and Second Yellow Mule loop in clockwise direction (with Bacon+Whiskey station atop Buck ridge), and the same finish into town on Ralph’s -> Uplands -> Hummocks.
The Trailforks Map says 64 miles and 9,700ft of elevation gain. We don’t trust this at all, and believe it will ride more like 60 miles and 9,000 ~ of elevation gain. Once the snow melts in spring and early summer, we will ride this course and get the real data from a Garmin.
This could be the most fun Biggie 60 Mile course to date!
We know we had some issues in 2022 with course marking the splits (from where the 30 and 60 miles courses go different directions). We have made changes to avoid this in 2023, and we’ve learned that we need to mark any split much more visibly and well in advance, especially early in the course. Your 60 mile course splits off from the 30 mile course in a VERY visible manner once you reach Big Sky Resort area. There will be a chance that some of the faster 60 mile participants will be passing the slower 30 mile participants in the Spanish Peaks zone (between bottom of M2M and Fish Camp). There are many areas to pass in this entire section, which should help with managing various speeds.
Note: There is a 1pm Time Cut-Off at Aid Station #3. Read more »
30 Mile Course for 2023
The 30 mile course is similar to the 2022 course, but with one spectacular update! We have added an entirely new section in the Spanish Peaks neighborhood, avoiding the pavement climb to Fish Camp. Our 2022 course still includes Mountain to Meadow, Fish Camp, and the same finish into town via First Yellow Mule -> Ralph’s -> Uplands -> Hummocks.
Trailforks says this course is 36 Miles with approx 5,300 feet of climbing. We don’t believe this. We feel it will ride more like 30 miles with just under 5,000 ft of elevation gain. Once the snow melts, we will ride this entire course with a computer and obtain accurate data for you.
15 Mile Course
This course is perfect for beginners and juniors. This 15-mile loop features all the best town trails. Almost all of the climbing on this course will be done at the beginning on pavement, although there is one sneaky switchback section on Ralph’s Pass that’ll raise your heart-rate.
Your Aid Station
There is one Aid Station on your course, right at the halfway mark. This Aid Station is also known as Aid Station #3 (because it’s the third aid station in the full 60 mile course). This Aid Station will be stocked with water, Skratch hydration, and snacks. There are no spectators allowed at this Aid Station. Period. The footprint for this aid station is very small. Having extra traffic or vehicles attempting to access this Aid Station poses a safety risk for the entire field of racers, and puts our permit in jeopardy.
Time Cut-Offs
Look, nobody wants to pull you from the race. Our whole mission is to provide you with an amazing day on the bike and watch you succeed. However, we have 9 different use permits and agreement with land-owners for this event, which require us to vacate their land so that their normal daily operations may continue. We rely on volunteers who donate their entire day to the event. But we need to have their safety in mind and will not ask them to stay out on the course for longer than is reasonable. We ask that you have these priorities in mind if we ask you to scratch from the event.
Time cut-off for the 60 Mile Course is at Aid Station #3 at 1:00pm
If 60 Mile racers have not arrived to Aid Station #3 (Critical Junction) by 1:00pm, then they will be routed to the finish, using the 30 mile course. They will be a DNF for their event.
There are no official time cut-offs for the 30 or 15 Mile Courses at this time.
However, if our safety team and sweepers determine that it’s in the best interest of the race for you to scratch at a certain point, we will ask you to do so.
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