Capturing the Winter Woolly 2025 at Highland Bike Park
Every year, Highland Bike Park does something special—once the snow settles and the trails turn into a frozen playground, they open the mountain for one wild winter day of fat biking. The Winter Woolly is a celebration of cold-weather riding, with a mix of racing, trail sessions, beer tastings, and good times at the pub. As a videographer, this event is pure gold—snow flying, fat tires carving through the terrain, and the energy of riders pushing their limits in a season when most bikes are stored away.
This year, I had the opportunity to capture Winter Woolly 2025 for Campono Creative, and it did not disappoint. From pre-dawn setup to the final beer toast, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at shooting video at one of the most unique bike events in New England.
The Challenge: Shooting in Snow and Cold
Winter videography comes with its own set of hurdles. Freezing temps mean batteries drain faster, lenses fog up, and keeping gear protected is just as important as staying warm myself. My go-to setup for the day included:
Nikon Z6ii – Handles low light and fast action like a champ.
DJI Mini 4 Pro – Aerial shots were a must to capture the scale of riders shredding the snow.
GoPro Hero 12 – Perfect for POV shots mounted on bikes and helmets.
A big part of the challenge was adjusting exposure on the fly—snow acts as a massive light reflector, and balancing highlights without losing detail was key. Shooting in log format gave me the flexibility to grade the footage later without losing contrast in all that white.
The Race: Pure Action on Ice
The main race was a spectacle. Riders lined up in a mix of brightly colored kits and thick winter layers, ready to send it down the course. Fat tires threw up snow as they sprinted from the start, some gripping the packed trail perfectly, others skidding out and taking it in stride.
I positioned myself at a few key locations:
Start Line: Tight shots of riders' faces, frozen breath in the air, and that pre-race focus.
First Descent: Capturing speed and energy as the pack barreled down the trail.
Berm Sections: High-speed carving and—inevitably—some wipeouts.
Finish Line: Victory celebrations, exhausted smiles, and high-fives all around.
The Vibes: Music, Beer, and Good Times
Winter Woolly isn’t just about racing—it’s about the community. After the riding wrapped up, everyone gathered at the pub, where local breweries served up tasters of their best winter brews. Live music kept the energy high, and the smell of hot food made it impossible not to grab something from the kitchen.
By the time I packed up, my hands were numb, my gear was covered in snow, and my memory cards were full of footage that I couldn’t wait to edit. Winter Woolly 2025 was a perfect mix of adrenaline-fueled riding and winter festival vibes, and capturing it was an absolute blast.
If you haven’t experienced fat biking at Highland, put it on your list for next year. And if you need someone to capture your next adventure, you know where to find me—Campono Creative is always down to film the action.
Until next time, keep riding, keep sending it, and keep the stoke alive.