This winter, Montana is welcoming something truly unique. For the first time ever, the FAT Ice Race is coming to Big Sky on February 27–28, bringing a legendary European motorsport tradition to the mountains of the American West.
What makes this event special is not just the racing, but the story behind it, the atmosphere it creates, and the way it blends motorsport, winter culture, and community into one unforgettable weekend.
The Origins of the FAT Ice Race
The roots of the FAT Ice Race trace back to 1952 in Zell am See, Austria. The original event, known as the Professor Ferdinand Porsche Memorial Race, took place on a frozen lake. The course was simple and improvised, but the idea immediately captured people’s attention.
Thousands of spectators showed up to watch cars race across the ice, alongside skiers being pulled behind vehicles in early skijöring competitions. Despite the cold and the rough conditions, the event became an instant hit.
Over the following decades, ice racing in Zell am See evolved into a celebrated winter tradition. Some of the most iconic sports cars of the era competed on ice, and the event gained a reputation for combining daring driving, mechanical creativity, and pure fun. Eventually, the races paused in the 1970s, but the legacy never disappeared.
In 2019, that legacy was revived by Ferdi Porsche, the great-grandson of Ferdinand Porsche. Under the FAT International name, the event returned with a modern vision that honored its roots while reimagining what an ice race could be today.
What the FAT Ice Race Is Today
Today, the FAT Ice Race is best described as a winter motorsport festival rather than a traditional race weekend.
Cars compete on snow and ice across a purpose-built course, with multiple classes designed to showcase different styles of driving and vehicles. You will see everything from high-performance buggies and four-wheel-drive machines to classic and two-wheel-drive sports cars. Speed matters, but control, style, and adaptability on ice are just as important.
Beyond the racing itself, the event includes skijöring, where skiers are pulled behind cars across the ice, along with music, DJs, art installations, and social gatherings before and after the races. The result is an atmosphere that feels equal parts motorsport, winter festival, and cultural event.
Unlike traditional racing, the FAT Ice Race is designed to be accessible and fun for spectators. Fans can move around the venue, see the cars up close, and experience the energy of the event without needing to be hardcore racing enthusiasts.
Why Big Sky Is a Perfect Fit
Bringing the FAT Ice Race to Big Sky is a natural extension of what the event represents.
Big Sky’s winter landscape, mountain backdrop, and strong outdoor culture closely mirror the Alpine roots of the original Austrian races. The event will take place at Moonlight Basin, where snow-covered terrain will be transformed into a high-altitude ice racing playground.
This marks the first time the FAT Ice Race has been held in the United States, making Big Sky the starting point for a new chapter in the event’s history. It also places Montana on the map for a globally recognized motorsport and lifestyle experience.
For locals and visitors alike, it is an opportunity to experience something rarely seen in North America, without needing to travel overseas.
What to Expect During the Weekend
Attendees can expect two full days of activity, energy, and winter fun.
Racing will take place throughout the day, with different classes rotating through the course. Drivers will be pushing the limits of traction and control, sliding and drifting across the ice in a way that is both thrilling and visually striking.
Between races, guests can enjoy music, food, social areas, and opportunities to explore the cars and displays. The event is designed to be just as enjoyable for someone casually stopping by as it is for dedicated motorsport fans.
Pre-race and after-race gatherings add to the sense that this is a full weekend experience, not just a single event.
A Unique Winter Experience for Montana
The arrival of the FAT Ice Race in Big Sky is more than just a motorsport event. It is a celebration of winter, creativity, and community, rooted in a tradition that spans more than 70 years.
Whether you are a car enthusiast, a skier, or someone simply looking for something fun and different to do in the winter months, the FAT Ice Race offers a rare opportunity to experience a world-class event right here in Montana.
It is fast, it is exciting, and it is unlike anything else that has come to Big Sky before.
