Latest / Strange Games: The Weirdest Real Sports Ever Played / Episode 27- Skiing Backwards and Racing Coffins
Transcript
- Max Byte: Welcome back to Strange Games: The Weirdest Real Sports Ever Played. I’m Max Byte, and today’s episode brings you two sports that make no sense—until you realize just how much fun they are. Whether it’s charging uphill on skis or racing a coffin down the street, these games are fast, strange, and a little terrifying. Let’s get into it. Max Byte: First up, Skimo. That’s short for ski mountaineering—and no, it’s not just skiing. It’s skiing uphill. That’s right. While most people dream of coasting down the slopes, Skimo athletes clip on skins to the bottom of their skis and climb snowy mountains as fast as they can. It’s part cross-country skiing, part mountain climbing, and part sprint race. Max Byte: Skimo athletes carry gear, switch between skiing and hiking on foot, and sometimes even rope in for dangerous sections. Courses can climb thousands of vertical feet. It’s a brutal test of endurance, strength, and technical skill. It’s not uncommon to see racers collapse at the finish line. It’s that intense. Max Byte: The sport originated in Europe but has found a growing home in the U.S., especially in Colorado and Utah. Races like the Grand Traverse or the Power of Four push competitors to their limits. And these aren’t just recreational athletes—some racers are Olympians in waiting. Skimo made its Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. Max Byte: Now, if that sounds too serious for your taste, let’s pivot to something a little… deader. Welcome to Coffin Racing. Max Byte: Originating in Manitou Springs, Colorado, the Emma Crawford Coffin Races are held every October and mix Halloween spirit with downhill speed. The backstory? Emma Crawford was buried on a nearby mountain in the 1800s, but after years of erosion, her coffin slid down the hill. Locals decided to honor that bizarre event by turning it into an annual competition. Max Byte: Teams build themed coffins on wheels and race them down city streets. Each coffin has a “dead” passenger inside—usually someone in costume—and four runners pushing from behind. There are trophies for speed, but also for style, spirit, and overall weirdness. Max Byte: One year you might see a group dressed as zombie Elvis impersonators. The next, a coffin painted like a giant burrito. It’s campy, hilarious, and somehow oddly touching. It’s also a full community event with thousands of spectators. Max Byte: Whether you’re charging uphill on skis or flying down the street in a fake coffin, both of these strange sports show just how wildly creative humans can be with competition. I’m Max Byte, and this has been Strange Games. Don’t forget to subscribe, tell a friend, and maybe build your own bizarre sport while you’re at it. See you next time!