FAQs

Elevation Everest is an elevation-defined endurance event hosted at Winter Park Resort in Colorado. Athletes hike up a mountain and gondola down repeatedly until they accomplish their elevation goal, measured against the world's tallest peak.

You can take on Elevation Everest individually or as a team. Format options include:

• Solo Half Everest — complete 14,516 ft of gain on your own

• Solo Full Everest — complete the full 29,032 ft of gain on your own

• Relay Half Everest — split 14,516 ft of gain across a team of two, three, or five

• Relay Full Everest — split 29,032 ft of gain across a team of two, three, or five

All formats start at 7:00 a.m. and must be completed by midnight. Full pricing and registration details are available on the Register page.

Note that you will complete the lap that includes your elevation target, so your total elevation gained on race day will be more than your specific elevation goal.

The Full Everest requires 29,032 feet of total elevation gain — the recognized height of Mount Everest. The Half Everest requires 14,516 feet, exactly half that. Both are accomplished by repeating the same 2.2-mile, 1,600-vertical-foot lap from base camp to the top of the course, then descending via gondola back to the start/finish line.

Note that you will complete the lap that includes your elevation gain target, meaning your actual elevation gained on race day will be more than your specific target.

The event opens at 7:00 a.m. and closes at midnight. To be counted as an official finisher, you must complete your final lap and cross the start/finish line at base camp before 12:00 a.m. Laps that are still in progress at midnight do not count toward your total. Plan your pacing accordingly — especially in the final hours.

If you do not reach your goal elevation by midnight, you will be recorded as a DNF (Did Not Finish). There are no exceptions to the cutoff. That said, every lap you complete is real vertical footage earned — and many athletes return the following year to finish what they started.

Note that all athletes must be off of the course by 12 a.m.

Registrations are non-refundable. If something comes up and you can't make it, you may defer the value of your registration to the following year's event. To request a deferral, contact us at contact@elevationeverest.com.

You may transfer your registration to another athlete in the active.com athlete portal.

Honestly? It's hard. But "elite" is not a requirement. Elevation Everest draws experienced trail runners, recreational hikers, and first-time endurance athletes alike. The course is a singletrack trail climb — demanding but not technical — and the gondola descent means your legs get a reset between every lap. What you need most isn't elite fitness. It's pacing discipline, mental endurance, and respect for altitude.

To compete the race, you’ll need to average 102 minutes per lap including the 8 minute gondola ride down to the base. Factoring this in, you’re looking at a 47 min / mile pace.

Most first-timers target the Half Everest (14,516 ft), which is an achievement in its own right and a legitimate full-day effort at altitude. If you're newer to endurance events or coming from sea level, start there. The Full Everest is an extraordinary goal to work toward — many athletes do the Half in year one and return for the Full. Whatever you register for, finishing is the goal.

Winter Park base camp sits at 9,100 feet. The top of the course reaches 10,700 feet. At that elevation, your body has access to less oxygen than at sea level. Expect reduced aerobic capacity, a higher perceived effort at any given pace, and potentially slower recovery between laps. We recommend arriving 7 days early to begin acclimatizing if possible, staying well hydrated, and avoiding alcohol in the days before the event. If arriving this far ahead of time isn’t feasible, the next best option is arriving as close to race day as possible.

Consult your physician to understand any health concerns that might arise from participating in this type of event.

Training should mirror the demands of the event: sustained uphill hiking or running, high volume on your feet, and time at elevation if possible. Key areas to develop include: aerobic base (long slow efforts), leg strength (step-ups, lunges, weighted carries), and heat/altitude tolerance. If you're doing the Full Everest, back-to-back long training days are valuable to simulate cumulative fatigue.

As with any endurance event, the best preparation option is to work with an expert coach to create a personalized training plan that reflects your ability and your goals.

You can absolutely hike. In fact, for most participants — including veterans — hiking the climb is the smarter strategy. The course is a 2.2-mile singletrack trail with 1,600 feet of gain per lap. There is no requirement to run any portion of it. Many finishers complete the entire event on foot. Efficiency and consistency matter far more than speed.

Elevation Everest takes place at Winter Park Resort in Winter Park, Colorado. Base camp — where you'll start, finish each lap, and spend time between climbs — sits at 9,100 feet above sea level. The top of the course reaches 10,700 feet. The event is set against the high alpine terrain of the Colorado Rockies.

The course is a singletrack trail climb. Each lap covers 2.2 miles and 1,600 vertical feet of elevation gain on the way up. The descent is via gondola, so you're not running downhill between laps. The trail is not technical, but it is sustained and steep. Good trail shoes with grip and trekking poles are recommended.

Summer weather in the Colorado Rockies is highly variable. Mornings can be cool, midday temperatures can climb into the 70s, and afternoon thunderstorms are common — sometimes arriving fast. Conditions at 10,700 feet will be noticeably cooler and windier than at base camp. Layering is essential. A rain jacket and sun protection are both highly recommended. A detailed Know Before You Go guide will be sent to registered athletes within 30 days of the event.

Aid station support is available at base camp, mid-mountain and at the summit. Medical staff are provided through Winter Park’s mountain patrol group and there is a medical center in Base Camp. You are also permitted to bring drop bags and have a personal crew support you at base camp. Full aid station details will be included in the Know Before You Go guide sent within 30 days of the event.

Personal crews are welcome and can support athletes at base camp between laps. Crew access is limited to the base camp area or to the summit near the gondola (including the gondola ride) — crew members may not accompany athletes on the course itself. Base camp also offers a full recovery zone, aid station, sauna, cold plunge, and more, making it a comfortable place for crew to set up and support throughout the day.

The mandatory gear list includes:

• A headlamp with extra batteries

• A water bottle

• Appropriate footwear and clothing layers for variable alpine conditions

A full recommended packing list — including guidance on layers, nutrition, and gear for the conditions — will be distributed in the Know Before You Go guide within 30 days of the event.

Headlights are mandatory during dawn, dusk, and night laps. All athletes will be required to demonstrate a functioning headlamp prior to starting any laps during these times. Failure to demonstrate a working headlamp will result in an athlete not being permitted to enter the course.

Base camp is where the event lives. Every lap starts and finishes here, and it's designed to be a genuine recovery and experience hub between climbs. On-site amenities include:

• Aid station with food and hydration

• Sauna and cold plunge

• Athlete recovery zone with foam rollers, lacrosse balls, massage guns, and shade

• Live DJ

• Wellness Guide

• Sponsorship Village

Your crew can meet you here, drop bags are staged here, and it's where the community gathers throughout the day and into the evening.

There are no age group divisions. However, the Solo Half Everest does include a competitive prize purse for the top three men's and women's finishers. For the majority of participants, Elevation Everest is a personal challenge — finishing is the goal, and every finisher earns that equally regardless of time.

Yes, please! Many of our athlete family and friends contribute to the volunteer community which runs our aid stations, on-course support, swag store, and more. Our volunteers are a hugely appreciated part of the Elevation Everest community. Please register for various jobs and time slots on our volunteer page.

All registered athletes receive a confirmation email that includes a link to book discounted hotels at Winter Park. All hotels listed on this link are within walking distance of base camp

If you interested in sponsoring, please reach out to dan@elevationeverest.com.

For media inquiries about Elevation Everest, please reach out to kayla@elevationeverest.com.