How to Plan a Multisport Day

What it is, how to plan one, and ideas to inspire you

The transition between spring and summer is the perfect time for a multisport day. Mountain roads begin to melt out, the high peaks still hold snow, and the trails shed their winter sheen. A few ski resorts are still open, the lakes turn from grey to blue, and the crags are finally drying out.

This set-up? Ideal for a multisport day.

Multisport days are gaining traction in the outdoor community. Maybe you’ve heard of Jackson’s famous Picnic, an incredibly difficult multisport day that begins with a bike from the town of Jackson to Teton National Park, a swim across Jenny Lake, and climbing the Grand Teton. (To top it off, you’ll do it all in reverse). Or perhaps you’ve followed @cascadeconnections, who bikes to ski Cascade peaks, and you’re inspired to go on your own two-wheeled, double-planked adventure. No matter the inspiration, I’m here to walk you through the multisport day: what it is, how to plan one, and ideas to inspire your adventure.

What is a Multisport Day?

A multisport day is a day in which you participate in multiple outdoor sports, often in one linked push. You could ski in the morning and run in the afternoon, and that is technically a multisport day. But the best multisport days often entail some kind of connection between the outdoor activities you choose. For example, a bike to run to climb, in which you use one sport as transportation to another. At a minimum, there should be two activities. The maximum is whatever you can do in a day. You can choose a classic pairing—like a bike to ski or snowboard—or a less common adventure like a paddleboard to hike to ski. Use your imagination and consider the possibilities (logistics can come later). A note on the term “sport”: a multisport day is an inherently ridiculous and pointless thing to do, so your definition of sport is as good as mine. If it feels like a sport, it counts in my book.

Ideas for Planning a Multisport Day

Bike to Splitboard

As mentioned, a bike to snowboard (or ski) is a classic in the multisport universe. This is because it’s one of the only multisport days that actually makes any sense. A bike can be an excellent form of transportation to get to the snow line in the spring. Perhaps you bike up a road that isn’t yet open to cars, or maybe you can mountain bike the trailhead’s rutted fire road you can’t quite make it to in your low-clearance car. All in all, this one is a great option for the beginner or seasoned multisport adventurer alike.

Bike to Packraft

Bikes and pack rafting? It doesn’t get a whole lot more ridiculous. Load a bike onto a packraft and hit the water for a serious multiple-sport adventure. Hop off the boat, deflate, stow, and pedal to your next body of water. Inflate, then rinse and repeat. This multisport day is far from earning classic status, but if it gets you psyched, the boat-to-bike link-up is waiting for you. If you find a good way to transport a bike on a packraft, do be in touch. This is an advanced multisport adventure for sufferfest enthusiasts only.

Ski to Ice Skate (or vice-versa)

This one is obscure and is only possible for small parts of the year under certain conditions. It also happens to be a personal favorite of mine. When the wild ice is ready, you’ll find me strapping on my split board and skinning out to skate it. You might even catch me with a hockey stick on my back. Dealer’s choice when it comes to what kind of skis you use for this one—splitboard, AT skis, and nordic skis are all fair game, depending on the terrain. Check out Luc Mehl’s blog for the ice skate to ski (and vice-versa) inspiration. 

Bike to Climb

Depending on how far you live from your local crag (or alpine route), this one can be an attainable multisport day for those who don’t have an interest in backcountry skiing to wild ice or figuring out how to attach a bike to a boat. Toss your climbing backpack on, or better yet, fill up your panniers or bike packing bags with the climbing gear you’ll need for the day. The most difficult decision here is whether to bring a climbing helmet or a bike helmet. Triple-rated helmets, which are rated for climbing, skiing, and biking, like the Salomon MTN Lab, are great options here. Bonus points if you also decide to ski! Overall, an approachable option for anyone with a bike, climbing gear, and a willingness to take the long way to the crag.

Paddleboard to Backcountry Ski

I’ll be honest. I’ve only seen this one done once. But I was seriously impressed. See a line you want to ski, but there’s a lake between you and getting there? Choose the most inefficient mode of water transportation possible. Test your balance while paddling a glorified boogie board with A-framed skis on your back. Better yet, plan to tack on a swim at the end of your day. This one is reserved for very experienced multisporters.

How to Plan a Multisport Day

The Vision

First, craft your vision. What do you want to do? Why? Maybe you want to experience a place you’ve been in a new way (for example, you always drive to the trailhead, but this time you want to run there). Or perhaps the trailhead road is closed to vehicles, but open to bikes. Maybe you just want to have a fully human-powered day. The world is your oyster, here. Consider the activity possibilities in your area. Maybe it’s some type of triathlon (a swim, bike ride, and run). Or perhaps you live somewhere with unique opportunities, like the mountain bike park and ski hill being open for a short but overlapping time period. Get creative and come up with a plan that excites you.

The Timing 

Consider the best timeframe to embark on your multisport day. For example, maybe you need snow for your activity, or maybe the day you have planned will require a lot of daylight. Or perhaps you would prefer to ride your bike on a road before it’s open to cars. When you’re trying to fit multiple (often unrelated) activities into a day, timing is key. Especially in the case of ephemeral surfaces like ice or snow, thinking about when the snow will soften or when the ice is most supportable are essential parts of your planning. Some multisport days can be done at almost any time, while others (like a ski to ice skate) can only be completed under certain conditions. 

The Gear 

Arguably, the most difficult part of a multisport day is determining what gear you need and how to transport it between activities. Figuring out how to secure a snowboard to a bike or run with your wetsuit and climbing gear poses logistical challenges. There will not be a good solution to this. A combination of approaches, like stashing your wetsuit and goggles at a lake before your alpine triathlon or jerry-rigging a carry system for your bike or kayak, should be considered. Also, no backpack will be perfect for every activity in a multisport day—but do make sure the pack you choose has the essential features you need (like ski carry if applicable). 

There are some awesome and obscene pieces of gear designed for multisport adventures like nordic skates (blades you can attach to nordic ski boots), pack rafts, triple-rated helmets, and folding kayaks like the Oru. No matter what, you are likely to look ridiculous. Remember to bring a helmet for activities that require one.

The Food and Water

Pack a lot of good snacks for your multisport day. You will be very hungry if embarking on a long day of many activities. I prefer quick-to-eat snacks like candy and protein bars that can easily be eaten during transitions between activities. Consider bringing a lightweight water filter like the Katadyn Be Free if it’s possible to top off your bottle during your multisport day. This is especially useful if you’re already limited on space because your 8L running vest is stuffed full of wetsuit. As with any long day in the sun, electrolyte tablets can keep you feeling hydrated as you sweat your way through the day.

The Final Word

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to begin planning your multisport day. Hopefully, you’re dreaming up an absurd adventure for the warm days and cold nights to come. Spring is go-time for many multisport activities, so get your vision, gear, and food in order—and get out the door.