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FAT Ice Race Returns to the United States in Big Sky

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cheduled for February 27-28, 2026, at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana, the FAT Ice Race is set to run daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This marks the second U.S. edition following the 2024 Aspen debut, organized by FAT International under Ferdi Porsche's leadership. The event transforms snowy terrain into a dynamic circuit for ice racing, emphasizing a fusion of speed, design, and community. Tickets are available through official channels, including general admission and VIP options for enhanced access.

Rooted in the 1952 Professor Ferdinand Porsche Memorial Race in Zell am See, Austria, the Ice Race tradition involves daring feats like skijoring and ice-track competitions. Revived in 2019 after a 45-year hiatus, it evolved under FAT International, a brand with ties to a 1994 Le Mans victory. The move to Big Sky represents a bridge between European heritage and American innovation, appealing to those who value automotive legacy.

Based on prior events, the program may include racing classes such as FAT Competition and FAT Performance, alongside hot laps, air shows, and exhibitions of over 50 iconic cars. Additional highlights could encompass Cars & Coffee sessions, after-race activations, apparel drops, and surprise entertainment. The setting in Montana's pristine mountains adds an exclusive, adventurous layer, ideal for networking among creators, athletes, and cultural leaders.

Red Bull rally car drifting on frozen ice track with snow spray at FAT Ice Race Alpine mountains with spectators winter motorsport
Courtesy of Malte Dressel

The Origins of FAT Ice Race

The narrative of the FAT Ice Race begins in the frosted annals of 1952, on the frozen lake of Zell am See, Austria. Conceived as the Professor Ferdinand Porsche Memorial Race, it transformed a serene Alpine landscape into a daring arena where drivers piloted icons like the Porsche 356 and 550 Spyder across ice, while skiers were towed in the exhilarating discipline of skijoring. This spectacle drew thousands, blending raw adrenaline with cultural flair, until a tragic accident halted proceedings in 1974.

After a 45-year dormancy, Ferdi Porsche revived the event in 2019, infusing it with modern vitality. Rebranded under FAT International. A brand tracing its roots to a 1980s European logistics firm, The Ice Race has since become a global beacon. FAT International, headquartered in Vienna, extends beyond racing into apparel, youth development via the FAT Karting League, and endurance competitions like the FIA World Endurance Championship with the Porsche 963.

The U.S. expansion commenced with the 2024 Aspen edition, a triumphant debut that showcased over 50 vehicles on a 1,809-foot frozen track, from the Le Mans-winning Porsche GT1-98 to contemporary marvels like the Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution and Oil Stain Lab's Half11 prototype. Piloted by luminaries such as Patrick Long, Tanner Foust, and Stéphane Ortelli, the event attracted industry icons and reinforced FAT's ethos of merging heritage with inclusivity.

Now, in 2026, the race migrates to Big Sky, Montana, a pristine mountain enclave known for its vast skies and elite retreats. Moonlight Basin, at 510 Moonlight Trail, provides an idyllic backdrop. Snow-covered fairways repurposed as circuits, evoking the original Austrian frozen airfield but with an American grandeur. This shift underscores FAT's ambition to globalize motorsport as a lifestyle, bridging eras and audiences while honoring the Porsche family's enduring spirit of motion.

Porsche Taycan electric and 911 GT3 race cars on frozen ice track with Montana mountains at FAT Ice Race Big Sky 2026
Courtesy of Lukas Gansterer

FAT International branded Porsche race cars with German flag livery at ice racing event showcasing motorsport heritage and design
Courtesy of Lukas Gansterer

The Allure of Big Sky

Set against Montana's rugged splendor, the FAT Ice Race Big Sky unfolds over two days, February 27-28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day. Attendees can anticipate a curated program that transcends traditional racing, featuring two primary classes: FAT Competition for buggies and 4WD vehicles, emphasizing raw power and precision, and FAT Performance for classics and 2WD icons, celebrating automotive artistry.

The event boasts a collection of over 50 showstopping cars, spanning vintage legends like air-cooled Porsches to modern electric powerhouses such as the Taycan and 911 Dakar. Formats include competitive rallies, hot laps, and exhibitions, with potential air shows adding aerial drama. Creator-centric vantage points offer intimate views of snow-drift racing and pit areas, set amid scenic mountain backdrops.

FAT International vintage Porsche GT1-98 Le Mans winning race cars in pit area with Alpine mountains at ice racing event
Courtesy of Lukas Gansterer

Beyond the track, the experience is enriched with cultural layers: FAT Collection apparel drops and exclusive merchandise, a DJ lineup curating daytime winter party vibes, and pre- and post-race gatherings fostering connections among a global mix of athletes, creatives, designers, and cultural voices. Surprise musical performances and activations throughout Big Sky enhance the après-ice atmosphere, transforming the event into a holistic celebration.

Historic 1994 Le Mans winning FAT Turbo Express Motul race car number 4 on frozen Alpine ice track heritage motorsport
Courtesy of Lukas Gansterer

A Frozen Legacy in Motion

As the FAT Ice Race 2026 graces Big Sky, it cements FAT International's role as a vanguard of motorsport culture. In the words of Ferdi Porsche, it pushes boundaries by uniting heritage and innovation, community and competition. For discerning elites, this is not merely an event but a winter rite. Whether witnessing a Porsche 963's precision or savoring après-race revelry, attendees depart with a renewed appreciation for the art of motion, in one of the world's most exalted settings.

Tickets: official FAT Ice Race website.

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