Beat the summer heat by planning a vacation around these trio of destinations, all of which are located in cool-weather locations.
(Image: Clockwise from top left: Vancouver T100, Alpe d’Huez/@uniti_bcn, Gates of Yellowstone, @benjamin_savary)
Published on June 11, 2026 at 06:00 AM
Summer has arrived! Over the next few months (if this hasn’t already happened), the crisp mornings will be replaced by sweltering heat and humidity, which could make triathlon training and racing a challenge.
Fortunately, there are certain areas of the United States (and the world) known for their cool summer temperatures. We’ve compiled a list of 10 anti-summer triathlons that provide much-needed relief from the heat, making them the perfect choice for a cold triathlon.
Lofoten Triathlon
August
Svolvær, Norway
The full name of this race is Arctic Circle Lofoten Triathlonto give you any idea how cool this race is. The Lofoten Triathlon is traditionally held in the 33rd week of the year (August) and is part of a series of three races. You can complete the Arctic Triple by doing a triathlon as well as the Lofoten Skimo 4000 (Week 11) and the Lofoten Ultra-Trail 100 or 50 mile (Week 22).
Lofoten Triathlon has three distances: Extreme, Half Extreme and Olympic, as well as a children’s triathlon. At this time of year in Norway, there is approximately 24 hours of daylight, so there is no need for an early morning start. Transfer starts at 10am and racing starts at 12pm!
Due to the water temperature (average 59°F), swimming is mandatory in a wetsuit, and it is recommended that athletes use a hat and neoprene socks. The Half Extreme consists of a 1.9km swim in the harbour, a 100km cycle around Fiskebøl and Laukvik, and a challenging 21km mountain trail to the top of Tjeldbergtind mountain overlooking Svolvær. The Extreme has a 4K swim, 181K bike and 42K run.
Vancouver T100 Triathlon
August
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Head to the cold Pacific Northwest and Vancouver T100 For a quick swim in the ocean and beautiful coastal views. Athletes can race the T100-branded 100km distance, which consists of a 2km swim, 80km bike, and 18km run. Or race a short course triathlon (Olympic distances or sprints).
Vancouver is a unique place for triathlon, as it is located where the Coast Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. Athletes will enjoy stunning mountain views, coastal views and Vancouver’s skyline. The weather is pretty ideal with average air temperatures ranging from 59 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and water temperatures ranging from 57 to 64 degrees.
The T100 swim is two laps in the Pacific Ocean. The rolling bike trail consists of four laps along the Spanish Banks towards the University of British Columbia. The three-course run takes athletes along beach trails with sea breezes and stunning views.
Ironman 70.3 Calgary
July
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Ironman 70.3 Calgary He moved to a new location near Cochrane that shows serious promise as a cold-weather contender. The race begins with a cool swim in Ghost Lake. With an average water temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit in this freshwater lake, you should definitely bring your wetsuit. With average air temperatures ranging between 53 and 69 degrees, the weather seems pretty perfect for bikes and running, too.
This race features a split transition race with T1 located next to the swim and T2 at Historic Cochrane Farma public park that commemorates Alberta’s first large-scale cattle ranch established in 1881. The rolling bike is said to have stunning views of the Canadian Rockies with a gain of 1,651 feet. The two-loop run takes athletes along the Bow River with a gain of 528 feet before returning to the Ranch’s red carpet.
Ironman Tranquil Lake
July
Lake Placid, New York
this Historic Summer Ironman It’s also known for its challenging trail and stunning scenery as it is for its cool (and sometimes wet) weather conditions. Average temperatures in Lake Placid in July range from 44 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and it has been known to rain on race day. However, this is not a very cold swim; The average water temperature is 75 degrees.
The race begins with a two-lap swim in beautiful Mirror Lake, followed by a two-loop mountain bike course through the Adirondack Mountains with epic climbs and fast descents. At the end of the day, a two-loop hill running course, including the famous Mill Hill, awaits before you reach the finish line of the historic Olympic Oval.
Swiss Extreme Triathlon
June
Switzerland
As far as extreme triathlons go, Swiss It is one of the cold races. With an alpine lake swim and a bike course that winds through three mountain passes in the Swiss Alps past glaciers and snowfields, this race will require some extra cold weather gear. Even in the summer, athletes can face freezing rain and cold falls.
The race starts in Ticino at 5 a.m. where athletes will swim 3.8 kilometers guided only by the light of sailboats from the Brissago Islands to Ascona. The 180,000 bike passes through three Alpine passes – Gotthard, Furka and Grimsel – resulting in an astonishing 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) in altitude. Race organizers suggest athletes bring extra clothing for the Alps.
For running, it is necessary for the athlete’s support staff to carry a backpack containing long pants, a jacket, a hat, gloves, and an emergency blanket. The final stage of the race begins with a steep ascent to the Giesbach Falls and then a final 42-kilometre climb to Kleine Scheidegg.
Alpe d’Huez Triathlon
August
France
the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon It’s best known for the bike course’s 21 distinct turns, but the other two disciplines are equally challenging in their own right. Triathlon L consists of a 2.2K swim, 118K bike, and 19.2K run. The race begins with a swim in the cool, clear waters of Lac du Vergne (59-61 degrees). Lac du Vergne is one of the most pristine lakes in Europe, fed by mountain streams and underground springs, which is why it has stunning, emerald-clear water. The only time swimming is permitted in this lake is during this race.
With a start at 9:30 a.m., athletes will complete the swim and then head to the 3,200-meter (10,498-foot) bike course. The longest triathlon distance takes athletes up the mountains of the Alpe du Grand Serre and into the hills of the Valbonnais Valley. Next, you can climb the Col du Malissol and Col d’Ornon before reaching the famous 21 turns of the Alpe d’Huez. But that’s not all! What awaits you at the top are three laps of a 6.4k loop over mixed terrain at an altitude of 1,800 meters (5,900 feet).
Sebago Lake Triathlon
June
Standish, Maine
For a great short-course triathlon, consider holding a race in the easternmost part of the contiguous United States Sebago Lake Triathlon He has an Olympics and a track and field event on the beautiful campus of St. Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish. The Olympic Course consists of a 0.9 mile swim in beautiful Sebago Lake. With average water temperatures in the mid-60s, wetsuits are highly recommended.
The bike covers a distance of 22.8 miles through rolling countryside. The two-loop trail is 6.2 miles long on wooded trails. Weather conditions in Standish in June are known to be mild and cool with a high of 72 degrees and a low of 55 degrees. June is also the rainiest month in Maine, so maybe pack a bike jacket.
Ironman 70.3 Aix-en-Provence
Late May
France
Ironman 70.3 Aix-en-Provence It is located right on the edge of spring and summer and certainly offers cool racing conditions. With average water temperatures in the 60s, this race was mandatory in the past. And it’s not much warmer out of the water. Average temperatures range from 54 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, but one particularly cold year temperatures were in the low 40s in the morning.
Athletes will enjoy a lap swim in the crystal clear waters of Lac de Peryrolles. A rolling bike path offers Provençal scenery on the way to the technical section of Mont Saint Victoire. The three-loop path passes through the heart of the city through the city parks, near the La Rotonde fountain, and ends at Cours Mirabeau.
Oakman Triathlon
August
Juneau, Alaska
If you want cool summer racing, you have to head north, and you can’t go any further north than Alaska! Oakman In Juneau there is a sprint, Olympic, duathlon, and jet ski to choose from. The Olympics consist of a 1.5 km swim in Lake Auke with stunning views of the Mendenhall Glacier. Next, you’ll walk 40 kilometers up the glacier to Tee Harbor and back. The 6.2-mile trail is a bit steep on local trails.
Historically, the water temperature is around 64 degrees, but it can vary based on recent rainfall or snowmelt. The race policy is that swims will be canceled if the water temperature is below 54 degrees, or if the water temperature is below 56 degrees and the air temperature is below 50. However, the normal range for Juneau in August is water temperature above 58 degrees and air temperature above 50, so there’s not much to worry about, except for the cold weather gear you should pack!
Yellowstone Triathlon Gates
August
Cody, Wyoming
Yellowstone Gates is a wildcard on this list, mostly because the race is only in its second year. But we felt it was worthy of inclusion for several reasons: First, it is the only USAT-sanctioned triathlon in Wyoming. Secondly, the race introduced a new half-iron distance alongside the Sprints and Olympics, and independent half-iron races are hard to come by these days. Third, Wyoming has more moderate summer temperatures compared to the rest of the United States
The water temperature is in the high 60s, so it’s a legal wetsuit race for sure. The half-distance begins with two loops of a diamond-shaped trail at Shirley’s Pond against the backdrop of Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The two-course rolling bike emerges into the South Fork Valley with desert scenery as far as the eye can see. The finish is a semi-flat, two-loop trail with panoramic views of the reservoir alongside the Shoshone National Forest. With an average high of 82 degrees and a low of 52, Wyoming’s higher elevation helps keep this race on the cooler side.
