It's almost time for the Vail Recreation District's longest running and most iconic winter race! Join us for the Vail Mountain Winter Uphill Race, the third event in the Bloch & Chapleau Winter Races.

This event is ideal for everyone, regardless of ability level. This race will honor the memory of Vail local Lyndon Ellefson who was instrumental in starting the U.S. men's mountain running program. A portion of the race entry fees go to support the U.S. Mountain Running Team.

This event invites racers of all disciplines - skiers, splitboarders, winter runners and hikers - to tackle a 2,200' vertical climb of mostly groomed trails to reach Eagle's Nest at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead. The event begins at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18 in the Lionshead base area, adjacent to the Eagle Bahn Gondola.

Route

Racers will ascend the Simba ski run, turn briefly onto Cheetah Gully, then head back onto Simba to Racer Simba before traversing across the ridge to the finish near the Eagle Bahn Gondola. 

History

For the past thirteen years, the Vail Mountain Uphill has proven to be a challenging mid-winter competition for some, and a fun, non-competitive community hike for others. It presents an opportunity to support a worthy organization, while also paying tribute to Ellefson, a trailblazer in the sport of mountain running who lost his life in a 1998 accident near the Matterhorn while training for a mountain race in Italy. Ellefson was the foreman for the Lionshead Gondola. Ellen Miller, along with fellow mountain runner and Vail local Hooker Lowe, started the race in 2008 to spread their passion for mountain running and uphill skiing (skinning) and to pay homage to Ellefson.

Race Categories

Splitboard, Ski and Non-Ski 

Gear Drop

Extra clothing can be dropped at the gear drop area next to the gondola entrance at the base of Lionshead, and will be hauled to the top of the mountain for the finish.

Finish Line Cutoff

Please note that the finish line will close at 8:40 a.m. to align with Vail Mountain’s Uphill Access Policy. Racers who feel they won’t make it to the top by then can upload Chair 26 to get to the after-party!

Spectators

There is no lift access for spectators - however, we are in need of some volunteers to help with the event, which would allow access to watch the finish. If you are interested in volunteering, please email sports@vailrec.com or call 970-479-2280.

View a printable course map here.

Pre-race bib pickup will be available on Sat, Feb. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Alpine Wine & Spirits, located inside the Vail City Market.

Cost for this race is $42 week-of/$50 day-of for adults and $30 week-of/$37 day-of for students.

Online registration at vailrec.com/register will close at 2 p.m. on Sat, Feb. 17.

Day-of registration and bib pickup takes place at 6 a.m. at the Lionshead ticket office where everyone will be required to sign a Vail Resorts waiver. Save time on race day and fill out the waiver ahead of time, then print and bring to the race.

Please note that there is no series registration, only individual race registration.

Following the race, Vail Resorts and US Foods will provide free breakfast at Eagle's Nest for all event participants, where we'll also give out awards and raffle prizes.

Prizes from Skratch Labs, Alpine Wine & Spirits and Optic Nerve will be given to the top three finishers by category/age/gender. Race categories: Splitboard, Ski and Non-Ski. Age groups are: 19 & under; 20-39; 40-59; 60+.

Saturday, March 16 | Shamrock Shuffle

Registration Page

Thank you to our 2024 winter racing sponsors: Bloch & Chapleau Attorneys at Law, Beaver Creek Resort Company, First Bank, Howard Head Sports Medicine, The Steadman Clinic, Town of Minturn, Vail Resorts, Arrowhead at Vail, Dynafit, Alpine Wine & Spirits, Alpine Quest Sports, Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea, Cripple Creek Backcountry, the Krueger family businesses, USA Mountain Running, Swix, Optic Nerve, Montana Skins, and Minturn Mile Co.