Pocket Gopher Chill
- FEBRUARY 20, 2027 · HOUSTON, MN · SOUTHERN MINNESOTA’S COOLEST WINTER BASH
The Pocket Gopher Chill is a winter adventure race with a laid-back soul. The “chill” is the weather and the attitude. Bundle up, grab your teammates, and pop out of your burrow for a day of snowshoeing (snowshoes provided), map-and-compass navigation, winter biking, and mystery challenges we’re not going to spoil. Gophers love a surprise, as long as it’s not a hawk. Whether you’re a family with kids and grandparents on the same team, a first-timer learning to read a map, or a veteran knocking the rust off your gear before the summer season, there’s a spot in the burrow for you. Join us February 20, 2027, in Houston, MN.
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Race Details
Distances
Dig in, but don’t dig too hard. A gopher’s day is part pedaling, part trekking, and part snowshoe shuffling, and every mile is more fun with teammates. It’s still an adventure race, so pick your route, trust your nav, and don’t forget to enjoy it. Hot chocolate awaits at the finish. Lots of hot chocolate.
- Bike: 12-20 miles of packed snow trails or roads
- Trekking: 4-6 miles of wilderness navigation
- Snowshoe: 5-7 miles
- Distances are estimates and subject to change
Required Gear
A smart gopher never leaves the burrow unprepared. Safety and navigation are the heart of the Pocket Gopher Chill, so pack your cheek pouches wisely, bundle up in layers, and double-check that every teammate is geared up before you head out.
- A mountain, cyclocross, or fat bike
- We provide the maps
- Snowshoes (bring your own, or we’ll provide a pair)
Race Overview & Details
The Frozen Frontier
Think of it as the ultimate burrow-to-burrow adventure. You’ll tunnel through snowy forests, scurry across frozen lakes, and scramble over rugged terrain, and the winners are the teams with the sharpest nav and the grit to keep digging. It’s chill, but it’s still a challenge.
Disciplines
Every good gopher needs strong legs and a sharp sense of direction. Bundle up and get flexible, because you’ll be digging through the frozen wilds across multiple disciplines:
- Mountain Biking
- Winter Orienteering & Navigation
- Snowshoeing
- Trekking
- Mystery Challenges
Divisions
Bring the whole colony or tunnel solo. Either way, there’s a spot in the burrow for you. We have fully supported divisions for every kind of team, skill level, and pace, from speedy diggers to leisurely snack-breakers.
- 3-4 Person Coed Team
- 3-4 Person Same Sex Team
- 2 Person Coed Team
- 2 Person Same Sex Team
- Soloist (The Ultimate Challenge)
Race Day Schedule
Get ready for adventure! Follow our carefully timed schedule to ensure a smooth, energetic, and exciting race day.
06:00 AM
Race HQ & Registration Opens
Check-in at the base lodge, collect your racer pack.
06:30 AM
Mandatory Pre-Race Briefing
Important safety updates, and any last minute changes.
07:00 AM
Official Race Start
Mass start for all categories. Adventure officially begins!
3:00 PM
Winner Expected Time
We have designed the course to be an 8-hour course. We expect the winning team or teams to finish around this time.
7:00 PM
Course Closed/Awards Ceremony & Dinner
At 7:00pM the course officially closes. Any teams finishing after this time will be unranked in the official results. Celebrate with hot food, refreshments, and crowning of podium winners in all divisions.
We Adhere to ARWS Racing Format
All of our races follow the ARWS format. There are no time penalties for missed markers. You simply don’t earn those points. For an in-depth understanding please read our Race Format and Scoring page
Registration
Gear up for the ultimate Pocket Gopher Adventure! Choose your category below and claim your spot on the starting line.
Team Entry
$160
per racer
Soloist
$180
individual racer
Adventures In Action
A high-energy look at all our races in the Pocket Gopher Series