Tuscobia Winter Ultra

Just a few quick updates as we get close to this year’s event:

Weather & Conditions

There are a few inches of snow on the trail as of today but that could all change by Friday depending how much it warms up. Pulling a sled should be OK. Skiing will likely be a last minute decision.

Switching Event

It is no problem to switch mode or distance – but you must do so before or when you pick up your bib. You cannot change after that.

Course

• Butternut Lake is frozen and we will use is for the 80 mile start and 160 mile turnaround.
• The route from Co Rd E to Butternut Lake Lodge will be well marked
• GPX files:
  • The 2023 file for the 160-mile linked in a post below is not accurate for the ~3 miles to/from BLL as it uses only road. This year, the course will use the trails and lake from Co Rd E.
  • The 2023 file for the 80-mile linked in a post below is not accurate for the first ~4 miles as it starts in Park Falls. This year, the 80-mile will start at BLL and use the lake and trails to Co Rd E.
  • If anyone wishes to create a GPX file for this year’s course following the “Lake route”, let me know and I can confirm the specific route!

Mandatory Stuff

• Gear check
  • Bring all required gear. You will not get your bib if you do not pass gear check.
  • Do NOT bring bikes/sleds inside, do not ask us to go outside to look at gear on your bikes/sleds.
  • Make sure your lights meet the requirements of this list (scroll down).
    • If you have lights not on the list and you believe they meet the requirement, email us ahead of time so that we can add them to the list.
• Pre-event meeting
  • The meeting is mandatory for all participants no matter how many times you have done the event
  • It is your responsibility to know about all course changes, checkpoint rules, etc.

Event date: Dec 27 – 29th, 2024

Applications will open August 1st for 2 weeks on UltraSignup. Set a reminder now!

Successful applicants will be automatically entered into the event shortly after the application window closes and the entry fee will be charged to your credit card at that time:

• $150 for 80 mile
• $200 for 160 mile

No refunds, no transfers, no deferrals.

If we fill the roster and still have applications from qualified folks, we will start a waitlist.

If additional spots open up, we will announce it on the website and folks can contact us directly (tuscobia@gmail.com) to apply. At that time, late entry fees will apply:

• $200 for 80 mile
• $250 for 160 mile

Live tracking at this link

Folks – given the weather conditions, we are unable to use Butternut Lake. Therefore we have some course updates:

• The 160-mile will continue to be an out and back to Butternut Lake Lodge but the course from the Tuscobia Trail to the lodge (and back) will be on road
• The 80-mile will start in Park Falls, and take a short spur trail onto the Tuscobia Trail; see map location here for the start

See above links to the course maps – thanks to Daniel Perry for putting these together (and making a dozen last minute edits!)

Registration is CLOSED. We do not accept last minute entries.

9/25/2023 Note for all folks who registered via the lottery: you were mistakenly charged the registration “processing fee” by UltraSignup. We (Tuscobia) have always covered this fee but there was a mix up with the event set-up this year. We have worked with UltraSignup to fix the situation and all entrants who were charged this fee should see a refund on their credit card within the next week or so.

Tuscobia RDs Chris & Helen

PS entrants are now published on UltraSignup

Event date: Dec 29th – 31st, 2023

Applications will open August 1st for 2 weeks on UltraSignup. Set a reminder now!

Successful applicants will be automatically entered into the event shortly after the application window closes and the entry fee will be charged to your credit card at that time:

• $150 for 80 mile
• $200 for 160 mile

Note: we have raised our entry fees for the first time since 2017. We hope you’ll agree it’s still the best value per mile of any event!

All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

If we fill the roster and still have applications from qualified folks, we will start a waitlist.

If additional spots open up, we will announce it on the website and folks can contact us directly (tuscobia@gmail.com) to apply. At that time, late entry fees will apply:

• $200 for 80 mile
• $250 for 160 mile

Congratulations to the winner of the 2022 Tuscobia Winter Ultra drawing for the 2024 ITI Entry which took place over breakfast this morning at Maxine’s!!

Click this link to view the live tracking.

Will periodically post updates to Instagram (which usually links to Facebook) & Twitter (does anybody use this anymore?).

We have a few volunteer posts to fill per below. If you know anyone interested, please ask them to contact us at tuscobia@gmail.com

Ojibwa checkpoint (mostly as timekeeper checking folks in/out)
– Friday 10pm – 8am
– Saturday 6pm – midnight or later

Drivers to pick up drops
– Any time(s) from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon
– Pick up people and only their gear if there is space (not expected to transport bikes)

Thank you!

Folks – a few important updates below as you plan for some Type 2 fun 7 weeks from now…

• NEW 80-mile start / 160-mile turnaround: Butternut Lake Lodge (on Butternut Lake – a short distance north of Northern Pines where we started in 2021) = MORE LAKE TIME 🙂
• Drop bags at Ojibwa for 160 mile – No drop bags at the turnaround
• No drop bags for 80 mile

Email us with any questions (that is, any questions after you read the website!): tuscobia@gmail.com