Revamped Snowies Legends Descent to kickstart 2021 Snowies MTB Festival

Back in November 2019, organisers were putting the finishing touches on the 2020 Snowies MTB Festival. Held every year in February, the Snowies is a three-day multi-stage race running out of the alpine capital of Jindabyne. 

Little did they know what the next few months would bring, events that would put the future of the famous race in jeopardy. 

But no matter what was thrown at them, be it unprecedented bushfires or a once-in-a-century pandemic, the Snowies MTB festival isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s only gone and gotten bigger.

Australia's top shelf

Located in the heart of the Snowy Mountains, Jindabyne is the gateway to the ski fields and the stunning wilderness that is Kosciusko National Park. It’s not all skiing and hiking however, Jindabyne is also within striking distance of the luxury Lake Crackenback resort, Yarrangobilly Caves and neat little places such as the Wild Brumby Distillery.

Of course, the biggest attraction for readers of this magazine will undoubtedly be Thredbo. While its ski fields and chalets may steal the headlines, Thredbo’s unique and exhaustive trail network attracts riders from all over the country.

It’s on these trails the Snowies MTB Festival primarily takes place. Over the days of 5-7 February 2021, riders will partake in multiple stages across a choice of two courses, each presenting its own unique challenge. The 114km Wild Brumby is the flagship course, covering five stages while the Brumby is a slightly lighter version, although its four stages over 75km will still leave you with a feeling of accomplishment (mostly in the form of sore legs).

There is a massive cash pool of $5000 available, not that you should need any more incentive to ride the stunning Snowies.

The Festival is part of the overall MultiSport Festival that takes place in the Snowy Mountains region and stands alongside the TreX Australian Cross Triathlon Championships and the Trail Run Australia Snowies Ultra.

What does each course involve?

THE WILD BRUMBY | 5 STAGES | 114K

As the Snowies MTB Festival’s flagship race, the Wild Brumby is designed to test riders’ strength, speed, endurance and technical ability over some of the most diverse and challenging terrain in Australia.

Comprising of five unique stages over 114km of singletrack, the Wild Brumby is a must for any serious racers!

STAGE 1: THREDBO SUMMIT SMASH 19.5K

Fri 10am | Smash it up on the 19.5km ascent climbing 533m from Lake Crackenback to Thredbo Resort.

STAGE 2: HAPPY HOUR TIME TRIAL 5.5K

Sat 5:00pm | 5.5km Time Trial Lap finishing at the Alpine Larder in time for Happy Hour.

STAGE 3: RICOCHET | 4.5K

Sat 9am | After a stunning chairlift ride to the start, take on the Ricochet challenge with this flowing downhill stage at Thredbo Resort.

STAGE 4: SNOWY LEGENDS DESCENT 39.5K

Sat 9:15am | One of Australia’s epic mountain descents with all the thrills and exhilaration of this 39.5km roller coaster ride from Thredbo following the spectacular Thredbo Valley alongside the Thredbo river to Gaden in Jindabyne.

STAGE 5: RELEASE THE CRACKEN 45K

Sun 8:30am | Finish up with 45k’s of epic riding as riders Release the Cracken! on the 15k XC circuit in and around Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa.

THE BRUMBY | 4 STAGES | 75K

Keen on exploring the amazing Snowy Mountains but not the jelly legs that come with the Wild Brumby? The good news is the lighter Brumby race will still take you all around the region and provide a stern test while ensuring you can stop and take in those views.

You’ll also get to experience all the highlights from the Wild Brumby including the Thredbo Summit Smash, Time Trial, Gravity Check and the legendary Release the Cracken.

Fri 10am | STAGE 1: THREDBO SUMMIT SMASH 19.5k

Fri 5pm | STAGE 5: HAPPY HOUR TIME TRIAL 5.5k

Sat 10:30am | STAGE 4: GRAVITY CHECK 19.5k

Sun 8:30am | STAGE 6: RELEASE THE CRACKEN 30k

Snowies legends descent

New in 2021 is the Snowies Legends Descent which will see riders of the Wild Brumby take on the brand-new Lower Thredbo Valley Track (TVT).

Racers will depart from the top of Gunbarrel chair, in the shadow of Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko to ride the full expanse of the Thredbo Valley to Gaden in Jindabyne.

From top to bottom you will take in Ricochet, the new downhill addition to Thredbo, the Upper Thredbo Valley Trail, Lake Crackenback trails and the Lower Thredbo Valley Trail.

Just a taste

If one day of action is all you’re after, Sunday offers the 45k marathon, 30k or 15k XC MTB events. Perfect for day trippers from Canberra!

Bring your friends

Want to get social or just don’t fancy taking on either course by yourself? The good news is in 2021 you can team up with your mates.

Share the riding between two or three riders in the Wild Brumby or just two riders in the Brumby.\

How do I sign up?

Simply head to https://in2adventure.com.au/event/snowies-mountain-bike-festival/#how-to-enter to book your place for 2021. Registrations open later in 2020.