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 descent 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