After the Snow Epic in Engelberg, the second event under the name "Snow Bike Festival" will take place in Gstaad. The first big snow has fallen there and preparations are in full swing to welcome riders, supporters and spectators to the Snow Bike Festival 2016 in just under 60 days. The routes are also now known after weeks of testing trails and reconnoitring valleys and mountains around Gstaad to guarantee the ultimate snow bike experience.

The routes for the three-day stage race are each around 25 to 35 kilometers long and include around 500 to 1000 meters of elevation gain. This means that the race should be manageable for many bike fans. Nevertheless, a good level of fitness is recommended, as the routes are more demanding than they appear. All stages, from Friday, January 22 to Sunday, January 24, start at 09.30 am in the center of Gstaad in the Promenade. Participants will ride through Saanen and Lauenen and deep into the valleys around Gstaad. You climb up to the ski slopes of Chalberhöni, to the Eggli ski lift or to Lake Lauenen. The climb is worth it, as the views are simply breathtaking and the descents on ski and toboggan runs promise lots of fun.

Short and sweet: the route profiles of the three stages.

The stage race also includes the Rocky Mountain Eliminator Night Race. This will take place in the Wispile region and will provide fun and spectacle at the same time. Under floodlights, small groups of riders will chase each other on a specially prepared track. Rider after rider will be eliminated in knockout mode. Until only the winner remains.
Earlybird tickets for the race are still available at discounted prices via www.snowbikefestival.com.

The race will be divided into three categories, each separated by gender. In the "Mountain Bikes" category, participants ride with tires up to a maximum width of 2.5 inches. In the "MTB Plus Bikes" category, tire widths from 2.8 to 3.0 inches are permitted, while the "Fat Bikes" category is open from 3.8 inches upwards.

The event at a glance
The Gstaad Sports Center will be transformed into the Snow Bike Festival Race Village. It will become a vibrant center for catering, covered bike park, expo zone, event briefing and information. The infrastructure of the sports center also enables a luxurious cloakroom/shower concept including use of the indoor pool.For all those interested in taking part in a snow bike race, but three days are too much, the two-hour Fun Ride is just the thing. This category is a kind of summary of the event in one day. The Fun Ride takes place on Sunday, January 24 and can be ridden on a fat bike, a normal bike or an e-mountain bike.

No festival without an expo: The Fat Bike Expo Gstaad will be open throughout the event, from January 22 to 24, 2016. Here, visitors can find out about the latest trends in winter biking and accessories.
There will also be a big snow bike style party on Saturday, which is open to everyone.

Interesting packages
The Snow Bike Festival offers attractive packages for participants for the three days: the Platinum, Golden and Silver Pass as well as a Silver Pass Multi-Bed. These include accreditation for the three-day stage race including the Eliminator Race, a guest card, a welcome gift and accommodation from January 21 to January 24 in a three-, four- or five-star hotel, depending on the starting package selected, as well as meals.

For helpers, companions and families, the festival offers a supporter package, which must be purchased for each additional person. All hotels are very family-friendly and children under the age of six stay for free.

www.snowbikefestival.com