Black Bear Trail Races
August 30 & 31, 2025
Join us in Waterville Valley for the scenic Ultra Trail, Long Trail, Short Trail, and Fun Run.
Join us in Waterville Valley for the scenic Ultra Trail, Long Trail, Short Trail, and Fun Run.
Refer to this participant guide for reference and stay tuned for a new one to be released prior to this year's race.
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The Black Bear Ultra Trail - Saturday
Embark on a 50-kilometer journey with us around the 4000 foot peaks surrounding Waterville Valley. The course starts near Town Square, covering a total of 7,700 feet of cumulative elevation gain as it climbs Snow's Mountain, East Osceola, Osceola, and Tecumseh, before sending it back to Town Square, around the XC ski trails for a hero's welcome. Racers will be supported with multiple aid stations along the way. THIS IS NO SMALL FEAT! Do not undertake this challenge lightly. Cut-offs will be enforced along the way based on a start at 6 AM and course close at sunset, 7:20 PM. The 13 hour cutoff will allow for a finisher to complete the route with a quick hike at ~2.5 mph.
Price schedule
$100 till April 1
$115 till June 1
$130 till August 1
$145 till August 28
$160 on race day
Aid Stations
8.5mi (Greely Ponds Trail)
17.5mi (Osceola Trailhead/Tripoli Rd)
25mi (Waterville Valley Base Lodge)
Cutoffs
4mi (Start of rough rider) - 7:30am (1.5 hours)
8.5mi (Livermore rd/greely ponds) - 8:30 (2.5 hours )
17.5mi (Osceola/Tripoli) - 1pm (7 hours)
27mi (Town Square) - 6pm (12 hours)
32mi (Finish line) - 7pm (13 hours)
Embark on a 50-kilometer journey with us around the 4000 foot peaks surrounding Waterville Valley. The course starts near Town Square, covering a total of 7,700 feet of cumulative elevation gain as it climbs Snow's Mountain, East Osceola, Osceola, and Tecumseh, before sending it back to Town Square, around the XC ski trails for a hero's welcome. Racers will be supported with multiple aid stations along the way. THIS IS NO SMALL FEAT! Do not undertake this challenge lightly. Cut-offs will be enforced along the way based on a start at 6 AM and course close at sunset, 7:20 PM. The 13 hour cutoff will allow for a finisher to complete the route with a quick hike at ~2.5 mph.
Price schedule
$100 till April 1
$115 till June 1
$130 till August 1
$145 till August 28
$160 on race day
Aid Stations
8.5mi (Greely Ponds Trail)
17.5mi (Osceola Trailhead/Tripoli Rd)
25mi (Waterville Valley Base Lodge)
Cutoffs
4mi (Start of rough rider) - 7:30am (1.5 hours)
8.5mi (Livermore rd/greely ponds) - 8:30 (2.5 hours )
17.5mi (Osceola/Tripoli) - 1pm (7 hours)
27mi (Town Square) - 6pm (12 hours)
32mi (Finish line) - 7pm (13 hours)
The Black Bear Long Trail - Sunday
You get a finisher’s medal (if you finish), post-race snacks, and the chance to win prizes. Be sure to pace yourself as you race along the 14-mile course on the oldest maintained trail network in the US. Starting and finishing in the picturesque Town Square, the route rolls along the valley floor and into the hills as you travel in the shadows of the towering 4,000 foot peaks of Tecumseh, the Osceolas, and the Tripyramids. Three aid stations with water, hydration supplement, and nutrition. Terrain: 85% double-track trail, 13% single-track trail, and 2% road.
You get a finisher’s medal (if you finish), post-race snacks, and the chance to win prizes. Be sure to pace yourself as you race along the 14-mile course on the oldest maintained trail network in the US. Starting and finishing in the picturesque Town Square, the route rolls along the valley floor and into the hills as you travel in the shadows of the towering 4,000 foot peaks of Tecumseh, the Osceolas, and the Tripyramids. Three aid stations with water, hydration supplement, and nutrition. Terrain: 85% double-track trail, 13% single-track trail, and 2% road.
The Black Bear Short Trail - Saturday
4 miles and 600 feet of trail through White Mountain forests and streams around the valley floor. You get a finisher’s medal, post-race snacks, and the chance to win prizes in the raffle. The course runs along a mix of single track and wide dirt double-track around the valley’s south-end trails with NO ROAD! Terrain: 50% double-track, 50% single-track.
4 miles and 600 feet of trail through White Mountain forests and streams around the valley floor. You get a finisher’s medal, post-race snacks, and the chance to win prizes in the raffle. The course runs along a mix of single track and wide dirt double-track around the valley’s south-end trails with NO ROAD! Terrain: 50% double-track, 50% single-track.
The Bear Cub Fun Run - Saturday
The whole family, including Grandma and Grandpa, will enjoy the scenic 1-mile Bear Cub Fun Run! Whether you take in the Valley's grand views at a walk or make a mad dash for the finish line, you'll lend your valuable support to students at WVES and take home a signature Black Bear medal waiting for you at the finish line. If parents want to run with their children, they must also be registered. Terrain: 100% double-track trail.
Kids Run Free!
Waterville Valley Ski Resort is well known for its unique “Kids Ski Free” program. Now introducing, Kids RUN Free! Children under 13 years old may sign up to run in the 1 mile or short trail distances. Kids Run Free participants MUST sign up online or on race day. Parents must register to run with their children.
Location
The start and finish of each event will be at 33 Village Rd., Waterville Valley, NH 03215.
Race Day Schedule
Saturday
5:00AM Check-in opens for Ultra
6:00AM Black Bear Ultra Trail starts
8:00AM Check-in opens for Short Trail and Fun Run
10:00AM Black Bear Short Trail
11:00AM 1 mile Bear Cub Fun Run
7:00PM Black Bear Ultra Trail cutoff
Sunday
7:30AM Check-in opens
9:00AM Black Bear Half Marathon
2:00PM Course cutoff
Supporting WVES
All your hard work on the trails will support the Waterville Valley Elementary School PTA in their mission of fostering student growth and development through exploration and adventure. The support from previous participants has made an amazing impact in the school community as the student body tripled in size in 2020! Thank you for all your support, racers!
Results
The races will be digitally timed by our good friends at Millennium Running and results posted soon after the race.
All your hard work on the trails will support the Waterville Valley Elementary School PTA in their mission of fostering student growth and development through exploration and adventure. The support from previous participants has made an amazing impact in the school community as the student body tripled in size in 2020! Thank you for all your support, racers!
Results
The races will be digitally timed by our good friends at Millennium Running and results posted soon after the race.
Prizes and Age Groups
1st overall female and male, half and Short Trail
2nd, 3rd overall female and male, half
1st age group female and male, half (not Short Trail)
Age groups: U19, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Our prize sponsors will be announced prior to the race. Expect goodies like growler fills at The Dam Brew House, gift cards for local gear shops, discounts at local running stores, entries to upcoming races, and much more!
Aid Stations
PLEASE BRING A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOU! We want to cut down on waste as much as possible! Aid stations will have water, a hydration supplement, and nutrition. The half marathon will have 3 aid stations distributed around the course and the Short Trail will have 1. Locations of the aid stations will be detailed in the course map once it is released. An aid station will also be present at the finish line.
USATF
This is a USATF sanctioned event. It's organizers participate in the Safe Sport initiative and abibe by USATF regulations.
Refunds
>30 days before race day: Full refund.
30-15 days before race day: 50% fee or credit for next year's event, OR bib and any race gear included with registration sent to you.
<15 days before race day: No refund, race gear and any purchases can be sent to you.
All details are subject to change. Participants will be notified of any changes.
1st overall female and male, half and Short Trail
2nd, 3rd overall female and male, half
1st age group female and male, half (not Short Trail)
Age groups: U19, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Our prize sponsors will be announced prior to the race. Expect goodies like growler fills at The Dam Brew House, gift cards for local gear shops, discounts at local running stores, entries to upcoming races, and much more!
Aid Stations
PLEASE BRING A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOU! We want to cut down on waste as much as possible! Aid stations will have water, a hydration supplement, and nutrition. The half marathon will have 3 aid stations distributed around the course and the Short Trail will have 1. Locations of the aid stations will be detailed in the course map once it is released. An aid station will also be present at the finish line.
USATF
This is a USATF sanctioned event. It's organizers participate in the Safe Sport initiative and abibe by USATF regulations.
Refunds
>30 days before race day: Full refund.
30-15 days before race day: 50% fee or credit for next year's event, OR bib and any race gear included with registration sent to you.
<15 days before race day: No refund, race gear and any purchases can be sent to you.
All details are subject to change. Participants will be notified of any changes.