The annual Vail Mountain Winter Uphill Race returns!

Join us on Sunday, Feb. 9, as skiers, snowboarders and winter runners tackle 2,200 vertical feet of groomed trails to reach Eagle's Nest at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead. The event will conclude with breakfast and awards at Eagle's Nest, provided by Vail Resorts and US Foods.

This event 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 seventeen years, the Vail Mountain Winter Uphill has proven to be a challenging midwinter 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.

"The Vail Mountain Winter Uphill is a meaningful event for our community. We started it in the memory of Lyndon Ellefson and it has always been a fundraiser and a tribute to the US Mountain Running Team, of which Lyndon was a pioneer. This is a fun hike up Vail Mountain for people of all ages and abilities. I am thrilled that Vail Rec is operating the event this year!," said Miller, Vail Mountain Uphill founder.

After 8:30 a.m.:

All uphill racers must be aware of enountering skiers on the slopes after 8:30a.m.. The gondola will open for downloading at 8:30a.m.

Pre-Ski the course before the signs with Ride W/ GPS! Use the digital map to follow the route and stay on course!

Uphill Traffic is not permitted during lift operating hours 8:15a.m. - 4:00 p.m.. Uphill Traffic is permitted before and after these hours, a headlamp is required. Please stay out of the way of snow groomers.

The course is a 2.1 mile point-to-point with 2,200 vertical feet of elevation gain. Racers will begin next to the Eagle Bahn Gondola and run up the Simba & Cheeta to the finish at Eagle's Nest.*

There is a mandatory cut-off time for uphill traffic. All racers must reach the top of Simba Race Course by 8:30 a.m.

*Course is subject to change based on grooming and snow conditions

Please note that this is not a skimo race as there is no transition, no boot-pack, and no downhill.

Online registration is available prior to race day. Day-of registration and bib pickup will be available at Lionshead Ticket Office (located slopeside skier's right of the base of the Eagle Bahn Gondola) prior to the race, starting at 7 a.m.

Early registration: $36 adults | $25 students

Week-of registration: $42 adults | $30 students

Day-of registration: $50 adults | $37 students

All Race Participants are required to sign a Vail Resorts Release of Liability Form. To save you time, you can print the form and bring it with you to bib pickup. This waiver is seperate from the VRD registration form and must be filled out at each race.

Saturday, February 8: Racers can pick up their race bib or register ahead of time on saturday, February 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Location TBD

Sunday, February 9: Race day bib pickup and registration will be available at the Lionshead Ticket Office. Day-of opens at 6:00 a.m.

Race will start next to the Eagle Bahn Gondola, just Southwest of the Lionshead Ticket Office

All Race Participants are required to sign a Vail Resorts Release of Liability Form. To save you time, you can print the form and bring it with you to bib pickup. This waiver is seperate from the VRD registration form and must be filled out at each race.

Parking - Vail

Lionshead Parking Structure (walk to start) - Vail Parking rates apply. Click HERE for more info.

• Under 1 hour = Free
• 1-2 hours = $5 ($10 on peak days)
• 2-3 hours = $10 ($20 on peak days)
• 3-4 hours = $20 ($30 on peak days)
• 4+ hours = $30 ($40 on peak days)

Red Sandstone Parking Structure (walk to start) - Vail Parking rates apply. Click HERE for more info.

• Under 2 hours = Free
• 2+ hours = $10 ($20 on peak days)

Parking - Park & Ride

Core Transit has buses traveling from Minturn to Vail Transportation Center. You can park at the Meadow Mountain Parking and take a bus into Vail. You can find out more on Core Transit's Website.

Race Start

The race will start next to the Eagle Bahn Gondola, just before the skier bridge.

There will be a gear drop next to the Eagle Bahn Gondola Building. All gear dropped here will be taken up the gondola to the race finish at Eagle's Nest. If there is any gear you would like to have at the finish, please leave it at this gear drop.

It's important to dress properly for winter racing. While it's cold out there, you will be warming yourself up through that climb. On the other hand, you're traveling up in elevation to a colder climate. Keep both of these things in mind when deciding your outfit to race in.

Please race with any additional layers you may need out on course.

Awards: We will recognize the top three finishers by Category/Age/Gender. Awards and raffle prizes will be distributed on-site following each race.

• Categories: Ski, Splitboard & Non-Ski
• Age Groups: 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. 

Raffle: All racers will be entered into a raffle for great prizes from our sponsors! Winners will be drawn while you're out racing, so check out the registration tent after to see if you won!

February 26, 2025, 4-6 p.m.*

Want to learn more about skin skiing as another winter activity?  We've got you covered! A beginner skin track clinic will be held at Meadow Mountain on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. for those new to skimo racing. Taught by local backcountry enthusiast Dawes Wilson, the clinic will go over basic skin track skills including kick turns, traction at the limit, pole use, boot packing and transitions as well as a preview of Saturday's race course, time permitting. The clinic is $25 and preregistration is encouraged as participation is limited. Bring required race gear: helmet, backpack, tension devices.

Register Here

*Date is subject to change

February 5, 2025, 12 p.m.

The Vail Nordic Center will be offering a beginner skin ski clinic for people looking to learn about the equipment and how it all functions in a very safe environment. The clinic will have a knowledgable instructor that will teach you the fundamentals before you take the gear on the slopes! This is a great clinic if you're interested in trying skimo but don't know where to start. Call the Vail Nordic Center to register and learn more (980) 476-8366.

If you're interested in trying Skimo, but don't have the right equipment. Check out our partners at the Vail Nordic Center for discounted rentals for our Winter Races!

Check out Previous Race Results & Photos on the Race Results Webpage.

2023 Results

2022 Results

2020 Results