Yukon Fat Tire Festival

The Yukon Fat Tire Festival is an annual mountain bike race and community event that takes place in Whitehorse, Yukon. Scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026, the festival is designed to prioritize participation and enjoyment on the trails, rather than focusing solely on competitive times.

Participants navigate a wandering 50-kilometre loop through Whitehorse's extensive mountain bike trail network, with the starting line typically near the Canada Games Centre. Organizer Geoff Harris describes it as a grassroots event, aiming to create a "big adventure" in August. The race employs an unusual format where only certain sections of the course are timed, and these are unknown to riders beforehand. This structure, which includes climbs, descents, and flat sections, is intended to encourage spontaneous group gatherings and foster a sense of community among riders.

In line with its laid-back ethos, the festival dispenses with traditional awards for fastest times. Instead, prizes are given for categories such as "best shorts" or "coolest hat," further underscoring the event's emphasis on fun and camaraderie. The festival also prides itself on attracting a diverse group of participants, with a notable percentage of women riders, which is often a rarity in mountain biking.