Is the course groomed?
No, the course is not groomed (except for a few kilometres in the ski trails between the Chalet and Back Bay). This is a trail run/ski adventure event and not a loppet.
Is there a mandatory gear check?
Mandatory gear checks are undertaken depending on the day-of temperature and the familiarity of skiers to extreme cold conditions. We encourage each skier to assess their skiing experience and pack accordingly, and will request equipment checks if skiers seem unfamiliar with the course or inexperienced.
Is there support?
Each staging point will have water. If you want food or a change of clothes, it is your responsibility to have someone drop these off for you at the checkpoint. All checkpoints are road-accessible.
How do relay members get to a checkpoint?
There are currently no shuttle services to or from check points. Racers are responsible for getting to check points and are responsible for their own transportation back to town. Car pooling with other racers, volunteers or media is the best option.
Are dogs allowed on the race?
Dogs are NOT ALLOWED to participate in the Frostbite 55 race. Though skiing with your pups is a fantastic activity, during the Frostbite 55 they represent an added hazard and/or nuisance for participants. We kindly ask participants to leave their dogs at home for race day to ensure the enjoyment of all participants. Well-behaved and under control dogs are welcome to stop in at checkpoints. Dogs are strictly prohibited on the Yellowknife Ski Club trails.
When skiing around Yellowknife, dog owners should be aware that there are active traplines around Yellowknife, including at points along the Frostbite 55 course.
What is the temperature cut-off?
The Frostbite organizers will meet the evening before the event and the day of the event to decide event restrictions or cancellations due to weather. The race organisers will make every effort to run the event but, in the event cancellations in necessary due to weather or other participant safety concerns, entry fees cannot be refunded as the funds will already be committed by race day.
What happened to the Frostbite 45, and then the Frostbite 50? Are these skis getting longer and longer to infinite?
Everyone told us it was too easy, and it was time to kick it up a notch. And the route was actually closer to 50 km anyway. The only difference is an additional short loop in the Ski Club trails at the start and finish. Besides “Frostbite 50” has a better ring to it!
Now, with the new Frostbite 55, we're continuing a proud tradition of increasing difficulty by adding 5 bonus kilometres! There are plans to have some small sections of the Frostbite 55 groomed to support folks in tackling these additions kms!
The Frostbite 45 began as a single day version of the Rock and Ice Ultra Marathon. This event was a multi-day, tent-sleeping ski excursion that had a 250km option!