About

At 10,152 feet, winter doesn’t whisper in Leadville, it announces itself. The air is crisp, the sky impossibly blue, and in the heart of winter the town can feel like a snow-globe, shaken by fat tires, cowbells, and the soothing hiss of steam rising from cedar saunas.

Fat Bike Worlds, in it’s 11th year, returns to Leadville January 23 to 25, 2026, with races across miles of groomed winter trails. New for 2026, Sauna Fest turns up the heat on January 24 with mobile saunas, cold plunges, and live music for racers and spectators alike. It is a race for all that love fat biking! You’ll see serious competitors chasing podiums alongside no-pressure riders cruising for fun, some even rocking costumes.

Fat Bike Worlds is all about riding fatties and chilling with a group of awesome people! Bring your family, bring your friends, and settle into this multi-day festival wrapped in small-town charm. Make new memories, cheer loud, soak often, and get ready for some truly all-out racing.

Event details and registration: fatbikeworlds.org.

Plan Your Trip

Getting to Leadville is part of the adventure. The road rises and twists over mountain passes along the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, where peaks crowd the horizon and the air grows thinner with every mile. Whether your trip is a weekend or a full week, take time to experience Leadville and Twin Lakes, a place shaped by wide-open public lands, hard-earned mining history, and a small-town spirit that lingers long after you leave.

Where to Stay:

Options range from historic hotels and motor lodges in town to cabins and short-term rentals just outside the city limits.

In-town: Coffee shops, restaurants, and local shopping are just a stroll away.
Outside town: Enjoy darker skies, quieter nights, and uninterrupted mountain views.

Bike friendly lodging includes:

• The Timberline – Most rooms have gear hooks and bikes are allowed in your room.
• The Columbine Inn & Suites – Clean bikes are allowed in the room and bike racks available out back.
• Leadville Motor Lodge – Bikes are allowed in the rooms.
• FREIGHT’s S.L.umber Yard – Bike storage lockers available for a fee.
• Delaware Hotel – Bike storage available for a fee.

What to bring:

• Winter Wisdom. January in Leadville is cold, often below freezing overnight, but it’s also bright, dry, and deceptively sunny. Pack layers and remember there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. Click here to learn more about smart layering.
• For Riding & Racing: fat bike, snow-ready tires, warm gloves or pogies, windproof layers, sunscreen, clear or low-light lenses.
• For Sauna Fest: a swimsuit, towel/robe, slip-on shoes and a reusable water bottle. Summer clothing can be tough to find this time of year, so be sure to bring them with you.
• Around Town: winter boots with traction, puffy jacket and hat, cozy layers, lip balm and moisturizer.

Most of all, bring flexibility – winter plans change, and the best moments often come from slowing down and warming up together.

Pets Coming Along?

Grateful Paws and Mountain Dogs have all you need to keep your pet warm, fed and cared for.

Weekend Itinerary: Soak Up Every Mile, Meal, and Moment

Thursday, January 22nd – Arrive & Leadville 101

While You Wait to Check In:

• <1 Hour – Temple Israel –  synagogue turned museum with knowledgeable staff, learn about the city’s diverse past.
• 1+ Hour – National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum – mock mines, minerals and mining history of Leadville and beyond.
• All Day – Tennessee Pass Nordic Center & Cookhouse. Warm up your legs and your appetite on groomed trails with rental options for fat bikes, Nordic skis or snowshoes. Reserve a table for lunch or dinner at the Cookhouse, or have casual eats at the Nordic Center Café.

Get Settled:

• Gear check at Leadvelo Bicicasa or Cycles of Life.
• Stroll historic Harrison Avenue with the self-guided downtown walking tour and a stop at the Leadville Visitor Center.
• Have a hearty dinner downtown try:
  • Treeline Kitchen for creative, seasonal dishes and a cozy mountain-town atmosphere.
  • Quincy’s Steak & Spirits if you’re craving a classic steak dinner and old-school Leadville vibes.
• Early Night, acclimate for tomorrow’s big adventure!

Friday, January 23rd – Kick Off & Enduro

Morning: Start the Day Off Right

• Fresh pastry and coffee at Zero Day Coffee or City On A Hill Coffee.
• Enduro riders: pick up a breakfast panini to-go from Buchi Cafe Cubano.
• Enduro packet pickup at FREIGHT, a historic railroad depot and lumberyard turned community gathering space. Pause a moment to appreciate the grit of the hard workers who built Leadville before you race through it.
• 9:15 Enduro Roll Out –
  •  9 miles, 1,690 ft climbing, max elevation 11,705 ft and 1,509 ft of descending.
  • Course winds through historic east side mining district, finishing at Colorado Mountain College, earning turns, lungs, and bragging rights along the way.

Midday: Motivation

• Head to Colorado Mountain College to cheer on finishing Enduro racers and soak up the energy or sneak in a course pre-ride from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Traveling with family and friends? Ziplining,  Snowmobiling or a scenic Leadville Train Ride  will keep them busy (reservations recommended).
• Lunch options:  Silver Llama Market & Eatery or  Casa Blanca for satisfying, hearty meals.
• Not far from CMC, Cloud City Mead offers unique adult beverages and N/A options to warm you.

Evening: Stoke

• Back to FREIGHT for evening FBW packet pickup and a delicious dinner catered by Chive Catering.
• Celebrate Enduro victories at the awards ceremony.
• Put on your dancing shoes for the pre-race kickoff party, featuring live country and swing music from The Smelted Hearts.
• Still buzzing? Grab one last cheer at the historic Silver Dollar Saloon – because tomorrow’s another big day, but tonight deserves a toast.

Saturday, January 24th – Race Day & Sauna Fest

Morning: Race Ready

• Start with a hearty, race-worthy breakfast – think oatmeal, eggs or your carb-loaded favorite and coffee strong enough to wake the mountains. Mineral 1886 (inside the Delaware Hotel) or Before & After will happily fill your belly and your mug.
• Head to the venue for race-day warm ups and last minute gear checks. Nerves are optional, stoke is mandatory.
• 10:00 am – Fat Bike Worlds racing kicks off!
  • 22 miles (4 x 5.5 mile laps), 447 ft climb/descent per lap, max elevation 10,230 ft.
  • Course starts and finishes at Colorado Mountain College, cruising the fast and fun Timberline Trails. Expect snow flying, tires crunching, and grins stretching from ear to ear.

Midday: Sauna Fest & Celebration

• Party starts at 11:00am – expo tents open and beer garden is pouring!
• Cheer on racers as they cross the finish line and soak up the finish line energy.
• Warm up and unwind at Sauna Fest. Slide into a hot sauna or cold plunge, open to all! Relax sore muscles, swap stories, and soak in the camaraderie.
• The celebration really heats up with DJ beats, followed by live music from Leadville Americana favorites Stablehand.

Evening: It’s Not Over Yet

• Trade frozen layers for dry clothes and head to The Famous, affectionately known as Leadville’s living room, to celebrate the day’s accomplishments.
• Still got energy? Keep the party rolling at the Pastime Saloon, where Beefcake Pantyhose brings the hits. Rock out to 90s and early 2000s favorites, relive your glory moments, and toast to an unforgettable day on fat tires.

Sunday, January 25th – The Leadville Victory Lap

Morning: Slow Start, Strong Coffee

• Sleep in – you earned every extra minute!
• When you’re ready to roll, grab a relaxed breakfast and solid cup of coffee downtown. The Grill and  The Golden Burro serve up breakfast classics and your favorite Mexican flavors.
• Before you leave town, pick up gifts for those who couldn’t join you and a keepsake (or two) to remember your Fat Bike Worlds victory:
  • Harperrose Studios for handcrafted jewelry and mountain inspired art, plenty with a cycling inspiration.
  • Alpine Gift Shoppe for wall art, home decor, and unique Leadville gifts.
  • Western Hardware Antiques for mining memorabilia and a little piece of Leadville.
  • Two Dog Market curated Colorado-themed books and vintage finds.

Midday: Recovery Ride and Try New Things

• Head back to Colorado Mountain College at 11:00 a.m. for a winter trail grooming demo, then give it a try yourself!
• Stick around for mellow singletrack rides with local guides and explore the outstanding trails built and maintained by the Cloud City Wheelers. Be sure to thank the Wheeler staff and volunteers for all their hard work this weekend!
• Traveling with kids (or kids at heart)? Reward a weekend well done with a stop at Rocky Top Toys or Blueflower Candies & Provisions – sweet treats and smiles guaranteed.
• Get out of town, take a scenic drive to Twin Lakes, 20 miles south, This sleepy winter town offers stunning views, quiet vibes, and prime photo ops.
• Still craving history? Call ahead to schedule a tour at the Tabor Opera House or Healy House Museum for one last dose of Leadville lore.

Evening: Farewell, for Now

• One last stroll down historic Harrison Avenue for souvenirs and photos.
• Then it’s time to head home – tired, happy, and already planning your next visit to Leadville. Because once Fat Bike Worlds gets under your skin, it’s only a matter of time before you’re back.