“The Arctic Man is like no other venture you have ever experienced in your life. The Arctic Man is a race of two people that test the strength of an athlete and the horsepower of a snowmobile. “
I have personally been a spectator at the Arctic Man for the last four years and I have never experienced this type of joy in all my life. Watching the competitors is fun but the fact that it is some of the best snowmachine riding in the world, who wouldn’t want to go? The race is always held on the second Saturday in April and the weather is usually very nice. The snowcapped peaks and beauty make this spring event so enjoyable that you want to return year after year. I believe last year they estimated 13,000 spectators from all around the world showed up for this great event.


Besides the race there are many other things to do while you are there. They plow approximately 10 square miles for parking/ camping sites. Even though the race isn’t held until Saturday, people start showing up two weeks before that. Parking spaces are usually big enough for an RV and a snowmobile trailer. There are some 6,000 parking/camp sites, but if you want to secure your self a spot you better start looking around November. It usually cost about $100 per space but some cost more or less due to positioning in the field. In the Recent years they have added snocross as an event to
Arctic Man. Snocross is extreme snowmobile racing with jumps, whoops, and sharp corners. Along with the race, snocross and infinite place to free ride some other attractions include live entertainment, a beer tent(if your over 21), and many many concessions with foods originating from across the planet.


The race is sponsored by GCI and has been ongoing for the last 21 years. The success of this race just keeps going on year after year. I personally enjoy watching the skiers and sleds take off. The skier begins at a summit elevation of 5,800 feet and drops 1700 feet in less than two mile to the bottom of a narrow canyon where he meets up with his snowmobiling partner. The snowmobiler meets the skier, on the go, with a tow rope and pulls the skier 2 1/4 miles uphill at top speeds of up to 86 mph. The skier and the snowmobile then separate and the skier goes over the side of the second mountain and drops another 1200 feet to the finish line.


You must be in real good shape to be able to pull this one off. I have had some friends that have tried but none of them have been able to pull off the win. I watch some of guys wipe out and that doesn’t look like it is much fun. So if you are ever in Alaska in early spring you may have to check out the Arctic Man in Summit, Alaska.