Pole Creek Challenge
- Date Sun 1st February 2026 - Sat 28th February 2026
- Time 9:00AM MST
- Location Buffalo, Wyoming
- Price $31.40 - $77.75
- Races 8 races
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready to embrace the thrill of winter sports at the Pole Creek Challenge, taking place from February 1st to February 28th, 2026, in the picturesque town of Buffalo, Johnson. This recreational race is a must for cross-country skiing enthusiasts, featuring exciting distances of 5K, 10K, and 20K for both skate ski and classic techniques. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or new to the sport, the Pole Creek Challenge offers an inviting atmosphere to enjoy the beauty of winter while showcasing your skills on the snow.
Mark your calendars for the race day, with the 5K and 10K events set to start at 9 AM. Participants in these shorter distances can secure their spot with online registration available until February 25th, or register on-site at a slightly higher cost. The highlight of the event, the 20K race, promises an exhilarating challenge, requiring advance registration due to its popularity. With a course designed to take you through the scenic inside loop and Bull Moose trails, this is an event not to be missed! Plus, for those looking to push their limits, the Total Distance Challenge invites you to ski or snowshoe as many cumulative miles as possible throughout the entire month. Join us
Mark your calendars for the race day, with the 5K and 10K events set to start at 9 AM. Participants in these shorter distances can secure their spot with online registration available until February 25th, or register on-site at a slightly higher cost. The highlight of the event, the 20K race, promises an exhilarating challenge, requiring advance registration due to its popularity. With a course designed to take you through the scenic inside loop and Bull Moose trails, this is an event not to be missed! Plus, for those looking to push their limits, the Total Distance Challenge invites you to ski or snowshoe as many cumulative miles as possible throughout the entire month. Join us
Organiser's Description
A RECREATIONAL RACE FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS. OFFERING 5K, 10K, AND 20K DISTANCES FOR BOTH SKATE SKI AND CLASSIC TECHNIQUES. ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR 5K AND 10K WILL BE OPEN THROUGH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25. ON-SITE RACE DAY REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 5K AND 10K AT AN INCREASED COST.
IN OUR 3RD YEAR FOR 2026: 20K SKATE AND CLASSIC RACES. This is our third year including this longer distance race. In order for us to manage logistics, YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR THE 20K. There will be NO on-site registration for this event. We will have a 5-person minimum. If we do not have enough entrants, we will offer to convert your registration to another event. Start time for this race is currently planned for 9 AM.
For those who don't have the Need for Speed, we also offer a TOTAL DISTANCE CHALLENGE: SKI OR SNOWSHOE THE MOST CUMULATIVE MILES BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1-28. You can upload your mileage here on RunSignUp.
PAPER REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE BY EMAILING [email protected]
_THE 2026 RACE WILL RUN CLOCKWISE AROUND THE INSIDE LOOP AND BULL MOOSE TRAILS. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE A COURSE MAP! PLEASE ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 9:30 AM FOR THE 5K AND 10K RACES TO PICK UP YOUR BIB AND FOR RACE INSTRUCTIONS. ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 8:30 AM FOR THE 20K RACE. THE 20K WILL BE TWO LAPS OF THE 10K COURSE, AND THERE WILL BE AN AID STATION HALFWAY THROUGH THE COURSE, NEAR THE STARTING LINE. _
IN OUR 3RD YEAR FOR 2026: 20K SKATE AND CLASSIC RACES. This is our third year including this longer distance race. In order for us to manage logistics, YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR THE 20K. There will be NO on-site registration for this event. We will have a 5-person minimum. If we do not have enough entrants, we will offer to convert your registration to another event. Start time for this race is currently planned for 9 AM.
For those who don't have the Need for Speed, we also offer a TOTAL DISTANCE CHALLENGE: SKI OR SNOWSHOE THE MOST CUMULATIVE MILES BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1-28. You can upload your mileage here on RunSignUp.
PAPER REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE BY EMAILING [email protected]
_THE 2026 RACE WILL RUN CLOCKWISE AROUND THE INSIDE LOOP AND BULL MOOSE TRAILS. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE A COURSE MAP! PLEASE ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 9:30 AM FOR THE 5K AND 10K RACES TO PICK UP YOUR BIB AND FOR RACE INSTRUCTIONS. ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 8:30 AM FOR THE 20K RACE. THE 20K WILL BE TWO LAPS OF THE 10K COURSE, AND THERE WILL BE AN AID STATION HALFWAY THROUGH THE COURSE, NEAR THE STARTING LINE. _
Races
-
5K Classic Ski Race (Individual)
Incl. $1.40 Fee
Sat 28th February 2026 (10:00AM MST)
$31.40
Classic technique allows double poling, herringbone without gliding. Single or double-skating is NOT allowed. Racing using technique other than registered will result in disqualification from awards. Distance or technique changes may be made at race check-in. -
5K Skate Ski Race (Individual)
Incl. $1.40 Fee
Sat 28th February 2026 (10:00AM MST)
$31.40
Skate technique allows diagonal/V skating, single & double-skating. Racing using technique other than registered will result in disqualification from awards. Distance or technique changes may be made at race check-in. -
10K Classic Ski Race (Individual)
Incl. $1.40 Fee
Sat 28th February 2026 (10:00AM MST)
$31.40
Classic technique allows double poling, herringbone without gliding. Single or double-skating is NOT allowed. Racing using technique other than registered will result in disqualification from awards. Distance or technique changes may be made at race check-in. -
10K Skate Ski Race (Individual)
Incl. $1.40 Fee
Sat 28th February 2026 (10:00AM MST)
$31.40
Skate technique allows diagonal/V skating, single & double-skating. Racing using technique other than registered will result in disqualification from awards. Distance or technique changes may be made at race check-in. -
20K Classic Ski Race (Individual)
Incl. $1.70 Fee
Sat 28th February 2026 (9:00AM MST)
$41.70
This event requires advance registration. There will be no race day registration for this event. The 20K race will be two laps of the 10K course. There will be an aid station approximately halfway through, near the start and finish lines. Classic technique allows double poling, herringbone without gliding. Single or double-skating is NOT allowed. Racing using technique other than registered will result in disqualification from awards. Distance or technique changes may be made at race check-in. -
20K Skate Ski Race (Individual)
Incl. $1.70 Fee
Sat 28th February 2026 (9:00AM MST)
$41.70
This event requires advance registration. There will be no race day registration for this event. The 20K race will be two laps of the 10K course. There will be an aid station approximately halfway through, near the start and finish lines. Skate technique allows diagonal/V skating, single & double-skating. Racing using technique other than registered will result in disqualification from awards. Distance or technique changes may be made at race check-in. -
Family Pricing (Up to 4 in One Family)
Incl. $2.75 Fee
Sat 28th February 2026 (10:00AM MST)
$77.75
Please enter contact information for each individual and email [email protected] with the corresponding names and categories (5K, 10K, or 20K and technique) for all participants so we can prepare for you ahead of time! -
Ski/Snowshoe Total Distance Challenge, Feb. 1-28
Incl. $1.40 Fee
$31.40
How many miles can you cover on skis and/or snowshoes in February? For those who don't have the Need for Speed, this Challenge is back by popular demand! Can you prove that slow and steady wins the race? Upload your mileage to the results page here, or email it to us.
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Pole Creek XCountry Ski Area, Buffalo, 82834, WY, United States
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Pole Creek Challenge
