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(Vail, Colo.) - Get ready for one of the most iconic events of the year! Registration is open at vailrec.com/register for the Vail Recreation District's annual Vail Mountain Winter Uphill Race on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 7 a.m. Skiers, snowboarders, and runners will take on the challenge of ascending a 2,200-foot vertical climb along groomed trails to reach the summit of Eagle's Nest at the top of Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead.
The Vail Uphill is ideal for everyone, whether you are going for a new race record or want to have a fun hike uphill with your friends - all are welcome!
This race honors the memory of Vail local Lyndon Ellefson who was instrumental in starting the U.S. men's mountain running program, with some of the entry fees supporting the U.S. Mountain Running Team.
For the past fourteen years, the Vail Mountain Uphill has proven to be a challenging and rewarding event. 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 activities and to pay homage to Ellefson.
Registration is open now at vailrec.com!
The event begins at 7 a.m. in the Lionshead base area, adjacent to the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Categories include ski, splitboard and non-ski options and prizes will be awarded by overall place and category by gender age group, including juniors 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. Parking will be available in the Lionshead public parking structure.
Following the race, Vail Resorts and US Foods will provide breakfast at Eagle's Nest for all event participants.
Sign up early at vailrec.com/register and save! Cost for this race is $36 early bird/$42 week-of/$50 day-of for adults and $25 early bird/$30 week-of/$37 day-of for students.
Online registration is available up until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. In-person preregistration and bib pickup will be available on Feb. 18 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Alpine Wine & Spirits, located inside City Market in West Vail.
Day-of registration and bib pickup will be available in the Lionshead ticket office starting at 6 a.m. We'll have a bag drop near the gondola, so you can get extra clothing, etc. shuttled up to the top at the finish.
Parking for this race is available at the Lionshead Parking Structure. Visit vail.gov for winter parking rates and information.
Next up in Vail Rec District winter racing after the Vail Mountain Winter Uphill, we'll close out the season with the Shamrock Shuffle on Saturday, March 16. This race offers short and long course options, as well as a fun run for kids! The Shamrock Shuffle will celebrate all things green in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Taking place on the Vail Nordic Center trails, the event includes race categories for snowshoes and winter running devices.
Registration is also open for the 2024 Dynafit Vail Trail Running Series! With seven races around the Vail Valley, get excited for another fantastic season of challenging courses, breathtaking views, exciting prizes and a community-building atmosphere. Sign up for individual races or the whole series at vailrec.com/register.
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