Fernie’s most infamous descent is calling again – The Diggler is Back! On Saturday, September 6, the 15th Annual Dirt Diggler DH Fall Classic returns with all the speed, sketch, and glory that’s made it one of the rawest downhill races in British Columbia. Built by local trail legend Derek Bird and celebrated by freeride icons like Rémy Métailler, the Diggler is a full-send tribute to what downhill riding should be—fast, loose, steep, and totally unforgiving.
Starting from the microwave towers atop Morrissey Ridge, the trail plunges over 3,500 feet in just 6.5 kilometres of barely-contained chaos. Riders will thread steep coal dust chutes, rip high-speed singletrack, and charge blind corners with nothing but instinct, brakes, and nerve. It’s not for the casual trail rider—this is DH racing at its gnarliest!
Watch Rémy Métailler shred Fernie’s Dirt Diggler with the legendary builder and event organizer – Derek “Birdman” Bird:
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The race is a pure grassroots affair, run by volunteers who know every turn and rut. The vibe is raw, authentic, and unapologetically downhill. No timing chips. No pampering. Just you, your bike, the ridge, and a ticking clock. This is where reputations are earned, lines are crossed, and legends get their stripes.
Registration is now open and limited to riders who’ve pre-ridden and survived the Diggler. No day-of entries. A valid Fernie Trails Alliance membership is required, and full-face helmets, pads, and a serious downhill bike are mandatory. Expect rugged 4×4 shuttles to the start, cold beverages and eats at the finish, and the kind of après vibe only a proper dirtbag DH race can deliver.
There are prizes for the fastest men and women, custom race plates, and that elusive one-minute window where it all has to come together. But more than that, you’ll earn your place in Fernie bike lore by showing up and dropping in.
The Diggler is back. Are you ready to throw down?
