As soon as you hear the word “triathlon”, you think of swimming, biking, and running. What if you’re a mountain man or woman? These are still fun activities but they don’t show the true breadth of mountain athleticism. This is where the Pole Pedal Paddle comes in. It’s a REAL mountain triathlon! Athletes start on skis, transition to a bike, and finish up in a kayak! If this sounds like your cup of tea, you’re in luck! Here are the 4 best Pole Pedal Paddle events across North America, with the largest coming up in just a few weeks.
Best Pole Pedal Paddle Events in North America
When it comes to spring skiing events, pond skimming competitions are like the dessert after a great meal. They’re wacky and provide a lot of fun. While pole pedal paddle events, on the other hand, showcase the spring season in all its glory. Comfortable temps, blue skies, and offer you a chance to do EVERY mountain activity in ONE DAY. The golden ticket -> multi-sport days. If you want to learn more, check out our in-depth spring skiing guide:
Saranac Lake 3P
New Kid on the Block
Saranac Lake, NY
March 1, 2025
Sadly, many of the classic 3P races have been canceled due to the pandemic and never returned, including the original—The Karen Oatey Classic in Jackson Hole, which ran for 46 years! But it’s exciting to see a new race emerge in a place that’s a natural fit for outdoor enthusiasts—upstate New York. In its inaugural year in 2024, the Saranac Lake 3P sold out, with 645 local businesses jumping on board as sponsors!
Last year’s first-ever Saranac Lake 3P was a big success. The race sold out with 100 participants, and 645 local businesses supported the event, with all proceeds benefiting the Friends of Mount Pisgah and the Saranac Lake Ski Club’s kids’ programs—just like this year. The race includes an alpine ski/snowboard leg, a townwide bike ride, a Nordic ski at Dewey Mountain, another bike leg, a Saranac River paddle, and a run back to Pisgah. Teams and solo competitors can register and learn more at www.saranaclake3p.org.
Salida Pole Pedal Paddle
Backcountry Bear Is Out Of Hibernation
Salida, Colorado
April 13, 2025
What started in 1999 with a hiatus from 2014 until 2018, the Salida Pole, Pedal, Paddle event could be considered the ultimate backcountry version of the Pole Pedal Paddle. Instead of being at a ski resort or riding a road bike, this bad boy is done in the wilderness. Competitors start at the Continental Divide on Monarch Pass with a backcountry ski leg, then hop on the saddle of a mountain bike which carries you in the shadow of Mt. Shavano to the banks of the Arkansas River. Whitewater kayaks then take paddlers into downtown Salida for an exciting finish.
Selco Pole Pedal Paddle
The Biggest & Baddest Event
Bend, Oregon
May 17, 2025
Inspired by the Jackson Hole event, this Pole Pedal Paddle has emerged into its own rite of spring, becoming the largest of all the PPP races. This event also separates itself from the pack by consisting of SIX legs instead of the normal three!
Starting at the top of Red Chair on Mt. Bachelor, racers must first run 200 feet uphill in their ski boots where they then get on their skis and ride down to the bottom. From there, it’s off to an 8 km cross-country race that is considered a skate ski. Next, it’s onto the 22 mile long bike leg, which is nearly the ENTIRE downhill from Mt. Bachelor all the way into Bend, with only one small uphill section. Once in Bend, it’s time to run! A 5 mile trail run along the shores of the majestic Deschutes River takes the athletes to the final leg. The last segment is a Canoe/Kayak/SUP race. Athletes begin upstream for a ½ mile and then downstream for ¾ mile, ending with a final sprint upstream for another ¼ mile to the finish.
To learn more about this event & why you should go, check out our article:
Ski To Sea
The Monster of the Northwest
Bellingham, Washington
May 25th, 2025
Technically not a Pole Pedal Paddle event but something MUCH larger, this competition is a relay race of over 93 miles with SEVEN legs covering ALL three types of activities. It all starts on the snowy Cascade range with a 4 mile cross country ski, followed by a 2.5 mile downhill leg on the snowiest ski resort in North America, Mt. Baker. Racers then must complete an 8 mile run followed by a 42 mile bike ride. From there, the athletes jump into their canoes for 15.8 miles, paddling into the town of Ferndale. Drying off, they hop onto a cyclocross bike for another 14 miles finally finishing up with a SEA (not a river) kayak leg that is over 5 miles in length. If this description didn’t make you exhausted, you might have found the race for you!
Don’t Wait!
IF you are even slightly interested in doing one of these races, we HIGHLY suggest not waiting because you never know if they’ll do it next season. There are quite a few races like the Wenatchee Ridge River Run that are either on hiatus or not happening this year, so be sure to enjoy them while they last.
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