We believe this is an epic adventure most people can complete with the rights skills and approach. If you have questions about whether you meet the required experience please speak to us. We can advise on a range of qualification options to get you to the start-line.

SOLO COMPETITORS

To participate in the Arctic Spine Challenger Race, candidates must possess prior experience in multi day extreme cold weather races or expeditions. We are looking for experience of camping and travelling in extreme cold conditions. Participants will need competent use of maps, compass and GPS and be able to cover a minimum distance of 40km per day, necessitating previous experience in long-distance multi day races. 

We seek candidates with experience in races such as the Iditarod Trail Invitational, 6633 Arctic Ultra, or Yukon Arctic Ultra. Prospective entrants must undergo an approval process with our Race Director prior to entry. In the absence of race experience, please provide details of any relevant expedition experience. If you have no major extreme cold weather experience, you may be asked to take part in the pre race 3 day training course.

TEAMS

Whilst the above entry criteria and experience is requested, team entries (of 2, 3 or 4 persons) provide additional personal safety and are recommended for those who lack solo experience in extreme cold environments. If your teammates need to withdraw during the event, you may have the option to continue as a non competitive team. However, you will not qualify for any ranked prizes or placing. This is subject to your personal experience and ability. This decision is at the discretion of the Race Organisers and their Safety Team.

PRE-EVENT QUALIFYING 

All participants, regardless of their declared or approved experience will have to participate in a pre-event assessment course with pass/fail modules focused on the core winter safety components such as winter camping, travel, navigation, personal administration, preparing food, water and dealing with emergency situations. If your skill level does not meet the required standard and you fail the assessment course your entry may be reviewed prior to the race start. For example you may be placed within a team or you may be requested to participate in a shorter distance event. In a worst case scenario you may not be approved to participate in the race.

Yes. We welcome team entries of 2, 3 or 4 persons. Team entries provide additional personal safety to entrants and are recommended for those who lack solo experience in extreme cold environments. You can let us know if you want to participate as a team in the sign-up process.

Phil Hayday-Brown, Co-founder of the Montane Spine Races is the Race Director for the Arctic Races.

Phil started his career at The John Ridgway Adventure School learning the skills that would take him to the North and South Poles. Racing to the magnetic North Pole when working in the High Canadian Arctic (Nunavut) he went on to help organise and take part in the first race to the South Pole since the 1911/12 famous race between Scott and Amundsen. In 2013, Phil completed an expedition to the Geographic North Pole, breaking an unofficial world record for the fastest team to the North Pole over the last 2 degrees. Other recent recces include Lake Baikal in Siberia and Greenland where Phil has been exploring new race opportunities for Spine.

We have provided more detailed information in the race pack but there are a number of accommodation options available to you. We do advise booking early.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:

STF KIRUNA
logi@kiruna.fhsk.se

KIRUNA SCANDIC
kiruna@scandichotels.com

ICE HOTEL KIRUNA – JUKKASJÄRVI
info@icehotel.com

STF ABISKO
abisko@stfturist.se

N.B. it is worth becoming an STF member before coming out

We would always recommend that every competitor purchases appropriate insurance to cover your participation in a Montane Spine event and the costs of your entry fee, should you not be able to take part.

The race has enormous infrastructure costs, most of which are fixed, which unfortunately prevents the option of a full refund. We want to be as fair as possible though, so while your entry fee includes a non-refundable deposit, if you notify us before the deadline (see Terms & Conditions) 100 days before the race, you will get a partial refund. Please read the T&Cs before make your payment.

The total cost for The Montane Arctic Spine Challenger is £2500.

To secure your place, you can either pay in full when you enter or pay a deposit of £625. The remaining fee can be split over three payments. £625 will be due 270 days before race start, £625 will be due 180 days before the race start and the final £625 will be due 90 days before race start. See below for the payment schedule.

Payments can be made online via your debit or credit card.