How the Sault landed a national mountain biking championship event

Selection of the Sault was the culmination of years of work to position us as one of North America’s premier destinations for mountain biking

This week Cycling Canada, the country’s national governing body for cycling, announced that Sault Ste. Marie had been selected to host the 2026 Canadian XCM MTB Championships.

XCM MTB stands for cross-country marathon mountain biking.

Elite athletes from across Canada will descend on Hiawatha Highlands on Labour Day weekend to race a 100-km course through through boreal forests of northern Ontario.

Racers in the U17, junior and master categories will compete on a 65-km course.

The selection of a bid from Sault Cycling Club and Tourism Sault Ste. Marie to host the event was the culmination of years of work to position the Sault as one of North America’s premier destinations for mountain biking.

More than $3.7 million has been spent on the local trail system since 2020, adding 30 km of new singletrack.

We now boast more than 65 km of singletrack trails with additional development underway.

The Sault’s bid consisted of a lavishly illustrated 38-page book extolling the Hiawatha trails.

“Sault Ste. Marie is uniquely positioned to host this prestigious event, offering world-class trail infrastructure, a passionate cycling community and a welcoming atmosphere for athletes, spectators and visitors alike,” the document quoted Scott Elgie, president of the Kinsmen Club of Sault Ste. Marie.

“The Hiawatha Highlands … provides an exceptional natural setting that showcases the rugged beauty and technical terrain ideal for a national-level XCM competition,” Elgie said.

“The backbone of the course will be the newly developed Farmer Lake trail, as well as the Crystal Creek trail system,” Travis Anderson from Tourism Sault Ste. Marie told SooToday.

“In my opinion, our trail network is the perfect fit for the XCM Nationals. The Farmer Lake Trail takes riders into the backcountry of the Canadian Shield, dotted with inland lakes and expansive views atop some of the highest peaks in the Hiawatha Highlands.

“The trail features leg-burning climbs, long technical descents, and rock slabs. On the Crystal Creek trail system, they’ll be exposed to modern flow trails, featuring fast and fun single track with jumps, rollers, and berms scattered throughout. 

“The course has something for everyone.  The perfect mix of challenging and fun, while showcasing the natural beauty of Sault Ste. Marie,” Anderson said.

The championship event will take place Sept. 5 and 6, 2026.

One key element in Sault Ste. Marie’s bid package was this long list of sports events hosted here:

Biking events

• Salty Marie Trail Fest – 2023, 2024, 2025
• Skeeter Slam (OCup MTB Series) – 2024, 2025
• Frozen Toe Fat Bike Race – 2025
• Crank the Shield – 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024
• 8 Hours of Epic Superior Singletrack – 2025

2025

• International Karate Daigaku Canadian Nationals
• Canadian Masters Curling Championships
• OUA Wrestling Championships
• Ringette ‘A’ Provincial Championships
• Ontario Baseball Championship
• U16 Alpine Ontario Championships
• Henderson Metal Fall Classic (International Curling)

2024

• OUA Wrestling Championships
• Cross Country Ontario Youth Championship
• Northeast Regional Ringette Tournament
• OCAA Curling Championships
• U18AAA Central Region Hockey Championships
• Ontario Youth Nordic Ski Championships
• Ontario Baseball Championships
• Henderson Metal Fall Classic (International Curling)

2023

• We the North Pickleball Ontario Championship Series
• Ontario Baseball Championships
• Canadian Youth Bowling Championships
• U15AAA All Ontario Hockey Championships
• Henderson Metal Fall Classic (International Curling)

2022

• Ontario U15 Basketball Championships
• Ontario Youth Nordic Ski Championships

2021

• Everest Canadian Senior Curling Championships

2020

• Ontario U17 Basketball Championships

2019

• Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games
• Northeast Regional Ringette Tournament

2017

• OFSAA AA’ Boys Basketball

2016

• U17 World Hockey Challenge
• OFSAA A’ Boys Basketball Championship

2015

• OFSAA A’ Girls Basketball Championship

2014

• U12 Provincial Ringette Championship
• Ontario Scotties / U12 Provincials
• U12 Provincial Ringette Championships
• Atom AA OHF Championships

2013

• National TELUS Cup
• OBA Girls Championship

2012

• OBA Girls Championships
• AAA Midget Regional TELUS Cup
• CARHA Hockey World Cup
• Northeast Regional Ringette Tournament

2011

• Grey Power World Cup of Curling
• Northeast Regional Ringette Tournament
• International Hap Ki Do Canadian Open

2010

• Scotties Tournament of Hearts

2008

• Ringette World Cup Championships

2000