Snowshoe Becomes a Double Header to Replace Cancelled Fort William

Jun 29, 2021
by James Smurthwaite  
Dakotah Norton winning this game of tuck for team America and snagging a top 10 for his aero efforts.

The Fort William World Cup organisational team has announced that the iconic venue will not feature on this year's World Cup circuit but will instead be replaced by a second event in Snowshoe later this year.

The Fort William World Cup was originally cancelled on April 1 and while the orgnaizers were seeking an alternate date, it doesn't seem to have been possible. Instead, Snowshoe will now become a double-header with a new race on September 15 to happen just a few days before the already scheduled World Cup final on September 18-19.

Statement: Fort William

The organisers of the 2021 Fort William round of the Mercedes Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, originally planned for 22-23 May, are sorry to confirm there will be no re-scheduled event this year.

Alternative dates had been investigated with the UCI and local partners but the challenges were too significant.

The UCI has today announced that the Fort William round will now take place on September 15 at Snowshoe (USA), just prior to the World Cup Finals.

The entire Fort William team offers their best wishes for all of the remaining World Cups and looks forward to welcoming the world of gravity racing back to the Scottish Highlands in May, 2022.

Here's how the World Cup calendar looks now:

Round 1: 12-13 June - Leogang, Austria
Round 2: 03-04 July - Les Gets, France
Round 3: 14-15 August - Maribor, Slovenia
World Championships: 24-29 August - Val Di Sole
Round 4: 04-05 September - Lenzerheide, Switzerland
Round 5: 14-15 September - Snowshoe, USA
Round 6: 18-19 September - Snowshoe, USA

Posted In:
Racing and Events DH Racing World Cup DH


Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
42408 views
Bike Check: Evan Wall's Haro Greer Prototype Enduro Bike
42340 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 2
41599 views
Pinkbike Poll: Riser Bar or Extra Spacers Under the Stem?
39622 views
First Ride: Canyon Neuron:ONfly - a Lighter 140mm eMTB
39602 views
Vivo Cycling Previews All-Aluminum 12-Speed Derailleur
37915 views
The Ultimate Recap of Sea Otter 2024
37160 views
Dario's Final Sea Otter Randoms
35917 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

148 Comments
  • 106 2
 Makes a huge amount of sense, consider the whole world cup circus has to go across the pond to get there, may as well hold two races there. Hopefully in the future we get to see more double headers/rounds in North America and Oceania
  • 33 2
 N at least one in South America!!
  • 3 1
 Definitely. The top 20-40 will definitely get their teams to fork out for the plane tickets, and maybe we will see some "local" talent disrupting the order somewhat.
Given what the races cost to put on, its still going to be the established mountain resorts/bike destinations though.
  • 3 3
 @AyJayDoubleyou: It's not really the best bike parks and destinations that are putting them on tho. They don't need to go to the expense to host them. Whistler, for example, is almost always packed without the need to host events to get people there. It's usually the up and coming resorts/parks that host them.
  • 1 0
 Wait, is it a double header for dh only or xc too? Sounds like just dh, because Fort Williams was dh only....?
  • 2 0
 @kcy4130: yeah, that was kind of what I meant by established rather than saying famous or top resorts, although I didnt explain it too well. Just didn't want to get peoples hopes up of some random south american mountain cutting in a track and putting up a start hut - the resort needs to make an investment and they will need to think they will get a return on it.
  • 3 1
 I really enjoyed the double headers last fall, but I think they could get old if theres more than 1 a season. Keep them, but keep them special!
  • 1 0
 @kcy4130: good point + Snowshoe is a pain in the ass to get to with no near by air ports, how ever, being the end of the season means the points battle will be on for riders trying to keep or gain protected status, over all etc...
  • 6 0
 @hamncheez: and the gloriously deep peanut butter mud of the mid-mountain will get it's revenge in 2021.

2019, the mountain wasn't feeling it. Big Grin
  • 6 0
 From a European TV spectator’s point of view it’s better so you can watch the racing with a beer after your ride. For the European races you either have to not ride or get out on the bike and then avoid all the internet until you’ve watched it…
  • 2 0
 @AyJayDoubleyou: Ah, I totally misunderstood you. Yep, we're on the same page. Anyone know if the uci fee, bribe, or whatever it is called is literally double for a double header or if the uci gives them a discount on the second one?
  • 3 0
 The wife and I are getting away from the kids, so we were already planning on flying out to Snowshoe. Now I'll have to just book my tickets a few days earlier!
  • 2 0
 @korev: For US viewers watching the races in Europe we get up early, watch the race, then take that energy out into our ride!
  • 1 1
 This is excellent news!!!!!
  • 4 0
 Also - race 2 is a week before the US Open in Big bear - C'mon down Euros! Plenty of dust to go around.
  • 2 0
 Ft William has herpes so Snowshoe to the rescue. Guess I'll have to VPN the live stream again.
  • 1 0
 A bud just filled me on the logisitics of it all. The added days aren't the hard part. Apparently it's getting the dog and pony show to the resort that's gonna be a tight window. I can't imagine trying to keep parts on hand for that much gnar in that short of a time frame though
  • 3 1
 Correct me if wrong... But isn't USA closed ton all coming from Schengen region of Europe? No visas no exceptions not even for work? Meaning not one non-american rider or staff can come in as it stands right now at the start of July?
  • 2 0
 @Theysayivebeentheone: COME TO BRAZIL
  • 1 0
 @davetrumpore: yeah I think that's right. The Schengen ban is in place.

travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/covid-19-travel-restrictions-and-exceptions.html
  • 1 0
 NVRMND
  • 6 1
 @kcy4130:
Actually the racers requested to come back to Snowshoe and Race it was so awesome and the fans were so great.
This will be the second and third time the WC has been hosted at Snowshoe.
They are hosting again next year for the 4th time. Only 6-7 W/C events are held in a year all over the World.
This is prestigious to host and the w/c doesn't just race because its up and coming resort.
Trust me Whistler would love to host.
I'm not saying Snowshoe is better than Whistler but It's no joke and Whistler's not hosting
  • 1 0
 @snowshoewv: Perhaps "up and coming" was poor word choice. I meant a resort that is willing to put in the work and spend them money to host a world cup, as opposed to a resort that is content to rest on their laurels. I'm from MT and hadn't heard of Snowshoe before the 2019 world cup put it on my radar, I hope to ride there some day. That 2019 dh finale at Snowshoe was truly great!
  • 1 0
 @kcy4130: We just started riding Snowshoe 14 years ago,
  • 2 1
 @ReeferSouthrland: Snowshoe had had a DH race since 1999 if I'm not correct. My bud shattered his hip on what was known as Waterfall back when in 2001. My first race was 2002 there.
  • 45 0
 Nothing can replace getting eaten alive by midgies
  • 46 1
 The 'skeeters in West Virginia might rival midges on occasion!
  • 7 0
 @jwestenhoff: I'll take mosquitos over Vermont black flies any time.

Vermont is the only place I've ever been where the mountain locals wear the bug equivalent of a beekeeper's suit in 85 degree temps.
  • 6 0
 Don't underestimate the Mountian Mamas in West Virginia.
  • 17 0
 @suspended-flesh: That John Denver's full of shit
  • 2 1
 Come get some of them east coast Lyme disease ticks!
  • 2 0
 @jwestenhoff: I have not noticed hardly any bugs at snowshoe. We slept with windows open in the summer with no screens for national champs and nationals and it was great. On the drive there tons of bugs, but up on the mountain very few, maybe the elevation I dont know but coming from CA I was worried but it was great! Love Snowshoe!
  • 4 0
 Nothing in North America rivals the Highland midgies those things are hard core
  • 1 0
 @krpduner77: windy conditions keep them knocked down. Plus temps at the Shoe are a lot cooler than the valley floor. Linger down at the lake. Big Grin
  • 1 5
flag BenPea (Jun 29, 2021 at 12:24) (Below Threshold)
 I haven't heard Scotland's apology to the sport of DH for cancelling yet.
  • 3 1
 @BenPea: Ask Nikki Sturgeon for it, it's her fault
  • 4 2
 @T4THH: I'm sure I saw her drunk on a bridge on the telly after Rangers won the league.
  • 1 0
 @drunknride: Dude died in a homemade aircraft in the Monterey bay near my native soil.
  • 2 0
 @blowmyfuse: They seriously hurt, getting eaten alive in Killington Parking lot memories. Upstate NY has them also but not as bad.
  • 1 0
 @ReeferSouthrland: yeah...I didn't know a fly could make you bleed. It was so miserable one year hiking up when Rockwell won. We sat up on the OLN film platform halfway down with our shirts pulled over our legs and heads inside our t-shirts.
  • 44 7
 US is hosting the most UCI races on the circuit!?!?!!! 2020 sucked, but 2021 is lookin up! Make US DH great again!
  • 1 4
 Blame the delta variant.
  • 6 0
 @makripper: We'll be on Omega by then....
  • 33 2
 They should just drive over to Windrock instead.
  • 8 0
 The venue itself is rad, but no hotel or 'resort' accommodations onsite.
  • 28 0
 @bman33: Excuse me. They have yurts. windrockpark.com/assets/img/campground-3.jpg
  • 8 0
 @PTyliszczak: I have seen those. That said, we would be cool with those. UCI brass are a bit too snobby for accommodations us peasants enjoy. Haha.
  • 2 0
 Dude I WISH but it definitely is a valid point that the UCI would take an image shot hosting there. Not enough posh accommodations to put on the stream! Would make for a hell of a world cup course though!
  • 30 0
 WILD AND WONDERFUL WEST VIRGINIA! Yeeeewwww!
  • 23 0
 Mountain mama!
  • 28 0
 @mtb-jon: take me hooooooooommmmeeee!!!!!
  • 16 0
 @conoat: tooooo the placeeeeeeeee
  • 16 0
 @adrennan: Where I belooooooooooooong!!!
  • 19 0
 @jdemeritt: WEEEEEEEST VIGINIAAAAAAAAAA...............COUNTREEEEEEEEEE ROOAAAAAD.....
  • 6 4
 Check out the documentary The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. It's quite the eye opener...
  • 3 0
 @Lokirides: Sue Bob is the pretty one.
  • 2 0
 @TwoNGlenn: and she’s always been the sexiest one in the family.
  • 2 1
 Y'all Qaeda
  • 1 0
 @Lokirides: *shake shake shake* This right here is what we call a Boone County mating call!
  • 11 2
 An extra chance for the local boys to make their mark. Dak, Neko, Luca, Crispy. Dak is looking fast this year, he could pull out a win.
  • 1 0
 Norton Commando!
  • 10 1
 We are stoked and planning to witness this spectacle in person! Let's hope our American riders can put a dent in the French dominance! USA USA USA
  • 9 1
 Awesome news! My wife and I are flying in from SoCal for my first World Cup race. I'm mainly going for the women's XCO, but I do like me some DH too.
  • 21 0
 Have you ever seen top level DH live before? Its quite a spectacle. The level that these riders are at is unreal.
  • 4 0
 @sino428: World Cup DH sounds incredible in person.
  • 1 1
 @sino428: going to my first since Alpe D'Huez 2003 on Saturday and I'm way more excited than my 7 year old.
  • 2 0
 @sino428: I swear they make boulders and drops bigger than busses look pint-sized. Pro-level DH is a world above anything locally.
  • 1 0
 @cgreaseman: Seriously. Rock gardens that I'd be picking my way through at 3mph the pros just come through and float over with their tires barely touching the ground.
  • 1 0
 @sino428: I remember walking up next to the track at Fort Bill wondering where the best line was on a rock infested section. Then watched a few riders coming through at mach 10, their tyres hitting the dirt 3 times over 30 feet.
  • 1 0
 @commental: yea, I'm looking for a way through or around the rocks, they are looking for a way over the rocks.
  • 1 0
 @commental: Its like, 'Oh I didn't think of taking the AIR LINE!'
  • 9 0
 With guest commentator Jesco White!
  • 5 1
 Great for Snowshoe - The american fans in the East are getting a real treat.

That said an additional round at Mont Saint Anne would be quite a hot ticket, especially at the end of summer or in the spectacular fall when conditions are prime.

MSA always delivers legendary World Cups and hostng the World's best always is an honor for Quebec and its very passionate bike community.

Not to mention that Canada should be a must stop for UCI DH as we live and breathe mountain biking.

We can't wait to have you all here cheering for WC rippers, partying deep in the night, experiencing our technical singletrack destinations & sampling our microbreweries !
  • 9 0
 Yeah too bad the Canadian government won't let people in dude
  • 2 0
 Canada is closed indefinitely. At least you can finally play golf again though lol
  • 3 1
 Not to mention I don’t think the teams/riders are eager to get back to MSA after they royally dropped the ball with Bulldogs crash. Hopefully they get their rescue operations sorted. It’s such a great venue/track.
  • 2 0
 @schwaaa31: THIS ☝️ If you watch one of those videos Brook put out about the ordeal getting off the mountain you'd be shocked and if you're a rider you'd insist on that shit getting fixed before ever dropping in again. The amount of pain that guy endured UNNECESSARILY was ridiculous. All that settled yes, MSA is a super fun atmosphere for fans. The Canadians take it to another level and I've been dreaming of going to another live event ever since the 2019 Worlds.
  • 7 1
 Bring back Champery and Schladming to the WC circuit!!
  • 1 0
 Amen to that
  • 5 0
 It would be awesome to see one at Windrock. Just not sure where everyone would stay while they're there.
  • 8 1
 WIN DAKOTA WIN
  • 1 0
 How does Whistler not have a WC DH Race? It's a world class destination for mountain biking with all the accommodations needed to host a big event. I've always wanted to attend a WC race, but living in the PNW all the races in N. America are +12 hours of travel. I saw a few WC riders at Dry Hill in PA a few weeks back and their speed was unreal.

Getting to Snowshoe, WV is a haul and NO cell service!
  • 2 0
 If you want Whistler to host a WC, you need to pester the Whistler management to make a bid. It's not entirely up to the UCI.
  • 1 0
 @IanJF: Not sure prior, but now Whistler is owned by Vail resorts. I lived in Colorado for 10 years up until last year. Several folks I know with close ties to Vail said they don't need the publicity and they for sure won't put up with paying all the UCI fees and lavish accommodation requests for a World Cup. They make plenty of money without UCI.
  • 1 0
 They could have gone to Fort William after Lenzerheide....
Wait.... nah, its Scottish champs weekend there (supposed to be Ae, but I hear its moving to Fort William).
Keep the big races at Fort Bill this year Smile

Round 4: 04-05 September - Lenzerheide, Switzerland
SDA (Scottish Champs): 11 September - FORT WILLIAM
Round 5: 14-15 September - Snowshoe, USA
Round 6: 18-19 September - Snowshoe, US
  • 1 0
 That's awesome it is coming to the US. I have always wondered the practicality of having series races across continents (enduro too). Seems like riders lives and families would benefit from having it all in Europe over a few months then you could train at home and move for a few months and adjust to the time zone, food, etc. Having to fly in with a 12 hour time zone difference so you're essentially riding when you're normally sleeping seems crazy town to me.
  • 5 0
 Snowshoes Smile
  • 1 0
 LOL
  • 6 6
 Snowshoe is great, Ya just can't there from anywhere. And when you do there is nothing else around. Colorado has a number of venues that could host and be a reasonable distance from an airport and have housing to accommodate. BTW, I still don't understand how the "World Championships" are in the middle of the season?
  • 5 0
 What tracks in CO do you think are World Cup level?
  • 1 0
 Meh. Colorado doesn't have good dirt. The beauty of snowshoe is the remoteness.
  • 3 3
 Not so awesome for people that have already made travel plans to ride Snowshoe the week prior to the previously-scheduled final. Wonder when they're going to shut the whole park down. Know it's not important in the grand scheme of things, but going to be interesting to see how it's handled. Blocking off some time to spend on the phone this afternoon . . .
  • 1 0
 If it's like it was in 2019, the Western Express trails will be mostly (all?) closed, but the lift on the pond side will be running. Some trails will be closed for the XCO course, but others will be open to ride. But yes, it'll definitely be a bummer if you were planning to ride more of the bike park prior to the race.
  • 1 0
 @IanJF: Entire park is scheduled to be closed for the finals from Monday through Sunday. Just talked to two different people at the resort. No clue other than "probably going to be closed" from one person and no real sense of urgency from another ("check back in a week or so"). To be clear, people I spoke with were great and they can't provide information management hasn't given them.

I assume the resort hosts events like to raise its profile, but the conversations I had today indicate they don't much get the bike park thing. Imagine how different their preparedness and responsiveness would be if they announced an event in November that meant it was likely the whole mountain was going to be closed to skiing for a week in January.
  • 1 0
 I don't know if it has always been there but it says right on the snowshoe website's hours of operation that the entire park is closed from Sept 13th to 19th.
  • 1 0
 @sino428: I think they said the same thing back in 2019, but the Ballhooter lift was running during the event. It may end up being a last-minute decision based on staff availability.
I'll bring a bike or two, but I go to this event to watch the racing. If I can ride as well - great - but I'm not too concerned. There are also a couple of fun XC/enduro trails on the Basin side that isn't on any of the trail maps. If I have to climb up the access road it won't be the end of the world.
  • 1 0
 @sino428: that’s for the Finals.
  • 1 0
 @IanJF: I sympathize with the situation and know there’s only so much they can do, but they could be more understanding of how disruptive it is going to be to people who already booked plans to ride and would like answers about canceling sooner rather than later.
  • 1 0
 @muscogeemasher: The Basin lift will most likely be turning for scenic lift rides and lake access. There are backcountry trails all over the mountain that should not be affected by the race. Just bring a trail bike and you'll have a great time...if it doesn't pour. All bets are off if the rain comes. Smile
  • 3 0
 Same track for both races?
  • 1 13
flag DrStairs (Jun 29, 2021 at 7:05) (Below Threshold)
 Especially when Massanutten is right there!
  • 15 0
 @DrStairs: Massanutten would not be very interesting for a WC, sorry.
  • 8 0
 Last year when they did the double headers it was largely the same track for both races with a few sections re-routed here and there just to change it up a little. Id assume they would do something similar.
  • 2 0
 @PTyliszczak: It was pretty cool to see WC racing at Massanutten last time they did it there. Track just doesn't compare anymore.
  • 1 0
 Hope not
  • 4 0
 @OC-Racing: I think it was '97? No doubt it was cool back then. But yeah, the WC has moved on from what it was back then and it's a completely different beast these days with gnarlier tracks, bigger gaps, steeper slopes. I think Massanutten has the terrain but they would have to put in some work to make it up to today's standards. What they use for DH Southeast doesn't compare to a WC track.
  • 1 0
 @sino428: right, I forgot how it worked. That's cool, we'll have to see what the courses are like.
  • 7 3
 “In Gwin we trust”
  • 1 0
 Hell ya! Was super bummed bc I wasn't able to make the weekend of 9/19/21 and missed it 2 years ago. Now I can still see it the weekend before.
  • 2 0
 It is actually mid-week, not the weekend before. Probably qualifying on Tuesday 14th and racing Wednesday 15th.
  • 2 0
 @lwkwafi: Ya I just noticed that. Am bummed again.
  • 2 0
 Man the 2019 race there sure was amazing. So much drama between Amaury, Loic, and then Danny harts crazy run. Fun times.
  • 2 0
 The most confusing finale since the Sopranos.
  • 1 0
 Can any of these double header venues put on 2x completely different tracks? Please...
  • 4 2
 Hope they bring one to Whistler one day !
  • 5 14
flag conoat (Jun 29, 2021 at 7:13) (Below Threshold)
 UCI is european. that's just too far to get those lazy fucks to travel.
  • 2 1
 @conoat: Good. They wouldn't travel and f*ck up the taping with their silly rules.
  • 1 0
 Final race of the season... Trespasser.

Give it to the fans UCI/Redbull.
  • 2 0
 @conoat: They go to South Africa. Literally the most expensive and longest flight from pretty much any other point on earth haha. Whistler should do just fine.
  • 1 0
 Or bring back Grouse! though the footage I can find of it looks awful. Best bet would be Hemlock if they ever expand like they were supposed to or maybe the proposed Squamish resort. Whistler just isn't interested for some reason even though ews and crankworks take over a few days a season.
  • 2 0
 They came to Tahoe in 1999
  • 3 0
 @suspended-flesh: bringing back the ol Squaw track would be cool
  • 2 0
 Haven't received your invitation, Canucks!
  • 3 0
 Great news!
  • 1 0
 In double headers, are they likely to tape the track differently between the two races?
  • 10 9
 Fort Bill is played out anyway. Move it to Carlton Bank.
  • 2 0
 Or Heartbreak Ridge to keep it Scottish...
  • 2 0
 YEEEHaWW
  • 5 5
 I don't hate it...but... That makes it tight for us (team staff) just getting back from Switzerland.
  • 1 0
 6 races in one year? Yay, I guess?
  • 1 0
 youtu.be/TmoeZHnOJKA Watch from 26 seconds on
  • 1 0
 finally a race i can drive to
  • 1 0
 Dak, Neko, Luca - HIGH FIVE (Borat Voice)
  • 1 1
 We needed a break from Fort william anyway just like we need a break from leogsng some new exciting venues would be sick
  • 2 1
 I'm not sure the 50000 visitors over the three days to the Fort William WC would agree. Best atmosphere of any sports event I've attended.
  • 1 0
 Canada, UK, Scotland terrified to host any events.
  • 1 0
 Too Bad they can't (or won't) add Mammoth or Vail to the list
  • 1 0
 Cool.
  • 1 0
 Sweet
  • 1 0
 i like that
  • 10 13
 Of all the amazing places to have a race in America, how does the top level of MTB competition never go anywhere other than WV?
  • 14 1
 Imagine a killington/ Windrock/ Angel fire World Cup!
  • 1 0
 Not that I am complaining, since it's driving distance from me, but yeah a bit strange. Imagine the crowds in Mt. Creek if they had it there?
  • 8 0
 The venues have to put together a bid and present it to the UCI. Most resorts that host World Cups lose money. Not that enticing to most venue managers.
  • 3 0
 Dude it’s been there once before. I wouldn’t be too worked up about it
  • 3 0
 Because they placed a bid to host an event.

Having talked to some of the behind-the-scenes folks who ran the Windham events, it is a butt-load of work for very little monetary reward.

Killington definitely has the facilities to host a World Cup, but it's debatable if they need/want to.
  • 3 2
 @IanJF: Shame, would be a great opportunity to showcase all their world class blue square trails they've been building.
  • 1 0
 @howejohn: would be so rad to go back to the angel fire World Cup track or the Durango World Cup track that’s running again!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.063183
Mobile Version of Website