Snow Epic - one for the diary for next year?

You may have missed this year’s event but if you’ve got a fat bike and feel the need for a real race with it, read on…

The Inaugural Snow Epic Comes To A Successful End

Snow Epic 2015, stage 1, riders group riding through the valley, with Snow Epic ambassador Josef Ajram(number 7) in the pack. Engelberg. Switzerland

The premiere of the Snow Epic, Europe’s first winter festival of biking, a fatbike event held in the idyllic town of Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps has just come to an end. Riders competed in 5 races over 3 days, each with its own distinct character, taking in the groomed trails and slopes normally reserved for skiers.

The weather gods finally smiled on Engelberg on Friday evening and gave the Snow Epic’s riders exactly what they wanted, snow. And lots of it.

Snow Epic 2015, stage 1, female rider on the beautiful forest. Engelberg. Switzerland

Beatriz Gallego during stage 2 and 3 of the first Snow Epic, the ascent and decent of Brunni Hütte near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 16th January 2015
Photo by: Nick Muzik / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

But with the abundant downfall came new challenges. Paths and roads that formed part of Race 5, the Snow Epic’s closing contest, were not in a condition to ride on and the start was delayed. Meanwhile, the organisers checked the route and made adjustments to ensure riders were able to enjoy the final day of the inaugural Snow Epic in safety.

After a neutral start section, in which riders could not race but followed a quad bike at a sedate pace, they reached the ascent and and the final day of racing officially began. After Friday’s gruelling climbs and rapid descents, the riders faced their final challenge, a 300m ascent to Gerschnialp.

Pushing is all part of it during stage 2 and 3 of the first Snow Epic, the ascent and decent of Brunni Hütte near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 16th January 2015
Photo by: Nick Muzik / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

General view during stage 2 and 3 of the first Snow Epic, the ascent and decent of Brunni Hütte near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 16th January 2015
Photo by: Nick Muzik / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

Oli Munnik of South Africa enjoys the decent during stage 2 and 3 of the first Snow Epic, the ascent and decent of Brunni Hütte near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 16th January 2015
Photo by: Nick Muzik / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

Spain’s Ibon Zugasti again proved his strength on the climb, as he moved up the rankings and secured the final race victory of the first Snow Epic. Following closely was Switzerland’s Silvio Büsser, who beat Tomi Misser by only 7/10 of a second. Spaniatd Misser, however, still secured the overall victory in the men’s category. Second overall was Rune Hoydahl from Norway ahead of Büsser.

Swiss legend Esther Süss once again won the women’s category and secured the overall victory. In second and third position were Alba Wunderlin and Amber Stull. The podium for Race 5 therefore matched the overall podium for the women’s category.

Girls final during stage 4 of the first Snow Epic, the “Eliminator” course on the Klostermatte ski slopes near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 16th January 2015
Photo by: Marc Gasch / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

Theo Biesenbach from Southafrica during stage 5 of the first Snow Epic, the Trübsee climb near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 17th January 2015
Photo by: Marc Gasch / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

Roberto Palomar from Spain during stage 5 of the first Snow Epic, the Trübsee climb near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 17th January 2015
Photo by: Marc Gasch / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

Carnage on the slopes during stage 5 of the first Snow Epic, the Trübsee climb near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 17th January 2015
Photo by: Nick Muzik / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

Some deep powder during stage 5 of the first Snow Epic, the Trübsee climb near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 17th January 2015
Photo by: Nick Muzik / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

Gregoire Erbeia of Switzerland looses the front wheel during stage 5 of the first Snow Epic, the Trübsee climb near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 17th January 2015
Photo by: Nick Muzik / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

during stage 5 of the first Snow Epic, the Trübsee climb near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 17th January 2015
Photo by: Stephan Boegli / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

Is that Brian Blessed?
Photo by: Stephan Boegli / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

during stage 5 of the first Snow Epic, the Trübsee climb near Engelberg, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Switzerland on the 17th January 2015
Photo by: Stephan Boegli / Snow Epic / SPORTZPICS

On Saturday evening the riders were due to enjoy the 2015 Snow Epic Gala Dinner, including the overall prize giving ceremony and presentation of event videos, and to celebrate a highly successful inaugural Snow Epic.