UCI Snow Bike World Championships in Châtel: the Unmissable Winter Event - Châtel Tourist Office

UCI Snow Bike World Championships in Châtel

the must-attend event of the winter

When winter meets mountain bike adrenaline, the result is a show as rare as it is intense. In Châtel, a pioneering resort and natural playground for outdoor sports, the UCI Snow Bike World Championships have already established themselves as a must-attend event of the winter season. After two spectacular editions marked by tight duels and athletes from around the globe, the discipline returns to where it all began. Speed, skill, and high-octane thrills: dive into a unique event that makes the mountains come alive… in a whole new way.

What is Snow Bike?

A truly unique sport

Snowbike is an emerging discipline organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) that blends the world of mountain biking with winter sports. Think of mountain biking on snow, where riders race down snowy tracks on bikes fitted with studded tires, tackling the slippery slopes while staying fully in control.

The discipline is still young: the first UCI Snow Bike World Championships were launched in 2024 in Châtel, Haute-Savoie, following several years of development within the UCI.

Two race formats are on the program, both inspired by alpine skiing:

The Super-G: a time-trial descent on a long, fast course, where each rider races alone to achieve the best time.
The Dual Slalom: a head-to-head race where two athletes compete on parallel courses, with knockout rounds leading up to the final.

These thrilling formats make for a race that is both technical and spectacular, appealing to adrenaline seekers as well as winter sports enthusiasts.

Looking Back at the 2025 Edition

On the slopes of Linga, the world’s top specialists came together for a day of competition that was as intense as it was spectacular, thrilling an enthusiastic crowd.

Athletes from France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ireland took part, highlighting the rapid international growth of snow bike. Riders coming from downhill and enduro mountain biking had to navigate a challenging course, combining packed snow, varying slopes, and technical sections.

The day kicked off with the Super-G, a speed event where precision and commitment were key.

In the men’s category, French rider Vincent Tupin stood out by posting the fastest time, ahead of Pierre Thévenard and Cédric Gracia, making for an all-French podium.

On the women’s side, Swiss rider Lisa Baumann dominated the race with authority, cementing her status as a leading figure in the discipline.

Men :
1️⃣ Vincent Tupin (FRA)
2️⃣ Pierre Thévenard (FRA)
3️⃣ Cédric Gracia (FRA)
Women :
1️⃣ Lisa Baumann (SUI)
2️⃣ Vicky Clavel (FRA)
3️⃣ Zoé Fayolle (FRA)

Tensions rose a notch during the Dual Slalom, the premier head-to-head showdown.

The rounds unfolded in an electric atmosphere leading up to the finals. In the men’s category, Léo Grisel claimed the world title after fiercely contested matchups.

In the women’s category, Lisa Baumann achieved an impressive double victory, winning once again.

Men :
1️⃣ Léo Grisel (FRA)
2️⃣ Pierre Thévenard (FRA)
3️⃣ Vincent Tupin (FRA)
Women :
1️⃣ Lisa Baumann (SUI)
2️⃣ Vicky Clavel (FRA)
3️⃣ Zoé Fayolle (FRA)

The Program for the 3rd Edition

The 3rd UCI Snow Bike World Championships will once again take place in Châtel, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Linga Stadium.

🔥 On the program:

Super-G – 10:00 AM
Athletes will compete on the fast Super-G–inspired course, a time-trial descent where every fraction of a second counts.
Dual Slalom – 5:00 PM
As the day comes to a close, head-to-head duels will take place on the illuminated parallel course to crown the new world champions in this spectacular discipline.

Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast, a winter sports fan, or simply an adrenaline seeker, the UCI Snow Bike World Championships in Châtel are an event not to be missed. With thrilling races set against a stunning backdrop, it’s one of the winter season’s must-see highlights!