With just over three months left until the next chapter in North America's toughest mountain bike race, the organisers of the TransRockies Challenge have released this year's stage locations.

This year, the TransRockies Challenge will tackle a largely new route which traverses the high peaks of the Kootenay Rockies in Southeastern British Columbia and finishes at the resort of Panorama Mountain, just outside Invermere.

The new route has meant that the race can accommodate a small additional number of teams. The additional spots were first offered to the waiting list which accumulated after the race reached the initial capacity on 13 January 13. That deadline for Waiting List registrations has passed and the limited number of remaining team spots has been released for general registration on a first-come, first-served basis.

2006 Stage Locations

August 6 - Start in Fernie, BC - Fernie will become the first 5-time host of a TransRockies Challenge stage this year! This picturesque mountain community offers unbelievable opportunities for year-round adventure.

August 6 - Stage 1 Finish - Sparwood, BC - Sparwood hosted the TransRockies Challenge for the first time last year, showcasing some incredible riding as riders arrived on the singletrack of the Coal Discovery trail. This stage features a town-centre finish and a banquet and tent camp at the Sparwood recreation complex.

August 7 - Stage 2 Finish - Blairmore, AB - A stage host in 2002 and 2004, Blairmore returns to the route this year, brining riders across the continental divide to spend one night in Alberta. Blairmore is a part of the larger municipality of Crowsnest Pass, a jumping off-point for countless backcountry advenures.

August 8 - Stage 3 Finish - Elkford, BC - Elkford first hosted the TransRockies in 2003 as part of a forest fire rerouting. The great riding and the epic beauty of the Elk Valley have made Elkford a regular and welcome stop for the riders who will cross back into BC over the continental divide.

August 9 - Stage 4 Finish - near Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park - Our first wilderness camp of 2006 will be on an incredible piece of private land bordering Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park. Whiteswan Lake is accessed via a gravel road near the town of Canal Flats. The famous Lussier Hot Springs are nearby...

August 10 - Stage 5 Finish - Nipika Mountain Resort - Nipika Mountain Resort is located between Radium Hot Springs, BC and Banff, Alberta and offers guests a recreational playground that includes cross-country skiing, mountain biking and hiking right out the front door of a luxurious eco lodge or individual cabins. This stage will be set up again as a wilderness camp, with the option of booking rooms or cabins at the resort.

August 11 - Stage 6 Finish - Invermere, BC - Situated in BC's Columbia Valley, Invermere is on Lake Windermere, and straddles the Rocky Mountains to the East and the Purcell Range to the west.

August 12 - Stage 7 Finish - Panorama Mountain Village - Just a 20 minute drive from Invermere, Panorama is a year-round resort that offers lift-served mountain biking, a large hot-pool complex for guests, and incredible mountain terrain. Panorama will also be the setting for the always memorable wrap-up banquet.

All stage locations are also motorhome accessible.