Winter Festival of Speed

With car racing, snowmobile drags, small plane fly-ins, axe-throwing and winter family activities, the Winter Festival of Speed is an event with style and speed!

* Dates have been confirmed
Festival Dates: -
Community: Lac La Biche
Region: Northern Alberta
Province: Alberta
Festival Type: Sports
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With car racing, snowmobile drags, small plane fly-ins, axe-throwing and winter family activities, the Winter Festival of Speed is an event with style and speed!

Learn to drive a snowmobile, enter one of the race categories (including the solo event for unregistered ice racers), check out small aircraft and vintage sleds, visit the trapper's tent displays and axe throwing, and watch one of the wildest events on ice as cars, sleds and planes fill the lake in Lac La Biche!

Read this feature story for a preview of the 2023 event!

Featured events 

Lac La Biche Aircraft Ice Fly-in
Small aircraft from around Western Canada will land on the ice, on the specially made ice surface. Audiences can meet the pilots and tour the insides of the planes.

Western Canadian Ice Race Championship (cars)
Feb 25, 26 
1pm - 4pm
location: Lac La Biche Lake, in front of MacArthur Place           

SSRA Sanctioned Snow Drags (Snowmobiles)
Feb 25, 26
11am - 5pm 
On ice Registration: 8:00 - 10:00am
Info: Kevin at 780.623.8413 or SSRA

Get an event preview

Read this story for more about the event, or Join FestivalSeekers' Jeremy Derksen and pilot Ken Zachkewich on a flightseeing tour of the lake where all the action happens, in this Facebook LIVE!

Then read on for more festival details.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Here is a quick rundown of events and times for the Festival of Speed weekend. For more detail, to register or get updates check out the new Festival of Speed website.

Saturday, Feb 25
08:00  Gates open; aircraft fly-in begins
09:00  Race registration (ice cars, snowmobiles, solo car)
10:00   Trade show, helicopter rides, ice/snow sculpting begin
11:00    Snowmobile Drags begin
11:15    Car racers practice laps
1:00 - 4:00pm
Car Races
Basic snowmobile rider training
Kids Carnival (MacArthur Place)
2:10 - 2:40pm
Race Car Ride Alongs
4:20 - 4:40pm
Car Charity Race Practice
6:00pm Dinner & Entertainment (Bold Centre)

Sunday, Feb 26
08:00  Gates open, fly-in begins
09:00 
Concessions open
Registration for vintage trail ride
10:00  Vintage trail ride to Lac La Biche Mission
10:00am - 4:00pm
trade Show
helicopter rides
ice & snow sculpting
snowmobile drags
2:00 - 4:00pm
vintage sled display
vintage sled events
race car ride alongs
4:20 - 4:40pm Charity Race
5:30pm  Dinner & awards

More to do: enjoy on ice demos, axe throwing, knife throwing, log sawing and car ride alongs!

Watch this video to get a taste of the action!

Take advantage of winter. Plan your Lac La Biche County adventure...

Other Featured Events

Trappers Display: See what it is like to be a trapper in Northern Alberta by checking out this interactive display.

Vintage Snowmobile Display: Are you a history buff? Make sure you check out the vast array of vintage snowmobiles. Registration & Ride at 11:00 am; Snow & Shine after ride at 2:00pm

Enjoy an on ice trade show throughout the weekend.

Charity Race:  Where the racers give up their cars to amateur drivers and race for bragging rights.  All proceeds are given to specific local charities. Number of entries are limited, details to be announced.

When You Go

Lac La Biche is full of magical winter experiences, from ice fishing to cross-country skiing, or a cabin stay on Alberta's only island provincial park. 

Read up on more adventures in this ZenSeekers.com story, and head over to Lac La Biche Region's website for more on where to stay, eat and get adventuring in the region.