Vertical Up Kitzbühel 2026

Vertical Up Kitzbühel is a night mountain race on the Streif in Kitzbühel, Austria. Runners ascend the ski course instead of descending it. The route begins at the standard downhill finish area and climbs to the Hahnenkamm start, transforming one of alpine skiing’s most challenging descents into a brief, demanding uphill challenge. The course measures 3.312 km, with an elevation gain of 860 meters, and reaches a maximum gradient of 85%. The objective is straightforward: reach the top from the bottom as quickly as possible. The Streif hosts the renowned Hahnenkamm downhill, meaning the race utilizes a venue typically viewed as a high-speed ski track. Professional and amateur athletes globally participate in this ascent. The race maintains a deliberately flexible format; the primary guideline is the absence of strict rules. Competitors can select the original course in the Speed class, or opt for an alternative route that bypasses the steepest sections for those seeking the challenge without the most extreme parts of the Streif.