Frozen Otter Ultra Trek
Whitewater, WI
A 64-mile midwinter trek through snow and single-digit cold — a cold-weather rite of passage.
- When
- January 16, 2027
- Distances
- 64 Mile
- Surface
- Trail
- Course
- Point-to-point
- Elevation gain
- 5,200 ft
- Altitude
- 760 ft–1,080 ft
- Weather
- Freezing
- Nearest airport
- MKE
- Suggested trip
- 2 nights
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10–26°F | Freezing |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
64 Mile
Point-to-point · Trail- Elev gain
- 5,200 ft
- Elev loss
- 5,200 ft
- High point
- 1,080 ft
- Low point
- 760 ft
- Start and finish are in different locations
- Plan shuttle, drop-off, or two-car logistics
- Conditions can differ from start to finish
Travel
- Base town
- Whitewater
- Nearest airport
- MKE · 60 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Limited
- Lodging
- Good
- Facilities
- Good
- Trip length
- 2 nights
- Travel complexity
- 7/10
Logistics are simple, but winter conditions and mandatory gear make this a serious cold-weather undertaking.
Drive-friendly from Chicago/Milwaukee. The challenge is the weather, not the travel.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- Cold-weather and winter-endurance specialists
- Runners who value self-sufficiency
- Those who love snow and solitude
Avoid if
- You dislike cold or snow
- You want aid-heavy, social racing
- You are new to winter endurance
About this race
Held in January across Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine, the Frozen Otter is a brutal winter endurance trek with strict gear and checkpoint cutoffs. Snow, ice, and single-digit temperatures make finishing a genuine accomplishment. For cold-weather diehards only.
Last verified June 19, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.
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