2026 Summit for Life
- Date Sat 5th December 2026
- Time 5:30PM MST
- Location Aspen, Colorado
- Price $36.55 - $52.00
- Races 3 races
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating evening! On Saturday, December 5th, 2026, Aspen, Colorado, will host the 21st annual Summit for Life, a thrilling nighttime uphill race up Aspen Mountain. Participants will tackle an impressive 3,267 vertical feet while raising vital awareness for the lifesaving gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation, supporting the mission of the Chris Klug Foundation. Over 400 passionate racers and riders are expected to join this exciting event, which not only challenges participants but also fosters community spirit and camaraderie.
As a participant, you’ll need to fundraise a minimum of $100, with exciting incentives for those who go above and beyond. Gather your friends, family, or co-workers to form a team and enjoy the fun of racing together—there's even a prize for the best-dressed team! After conquering the summit, celebrate with us at the post-race party at the Sundeck Restaurant, featuring delicious dinner provided by The Little Nell, live music, and an awards ceremony honoring top fundraisers and race finishers. Whether you’re racing or riding the Silver Queen Gondola to the top, join us for this unforgettable evening dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those awaiting
As a participant, you’ll need to fundraise a minimum of $100, with exciting incentives for those who go above and beyond. Gather your friends, family, or co-workers to form a team and enjoy the fun of racing together—there's even a prize for the best-dressed team! After conquering the summit, celebrate with us at the post-race party at the Sundeck Restaurant, featuring delicious dinner provided by The Little Nell, live music, and an awards ceremony honoring top fundraisers and race finishers. Whether you’re racing or riding the Silver Queen Gondola to the top, join us for this unforgettable evening dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those awaiting
Organiser's Description
THE CHRIS KLUG FOUNDATION INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR THE 2026 SUMMIT FOR LIFE AND HELP US CELEBRATE THE 21ST ANNUAL "KICKOFF TO WINTER" IN ASPEN, CO!
Summit for Life is a nighttime uphill race up Aspen Mountain and one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) [https://chrisklugfoundation.org/]. Our mission is to raise awareness of the lifesaving gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation. By participating in Summit for Life (S4L), you are helping us spread this message and make a difference for the 103,000 people awaiting a transplant in the United States today.
Racers will climb the 3,267 vertical feet to the summit to raise awareness for the gift of life. Each year, over 400 riders and racers take on the challenge and join CKF as we celebrate at the top! Every racer must fundraise a minimum of $100. We will also offer incentives for going above and beyond! _(We are here to support your efforts--please contact us for ideas, strategies, tips, tricks, and tools, or access the Fundraising Guide [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6234d64803f53e03fac9c98e/t/6a63740227c9e664b85d8d4b/1784902658412/Summit+for+Life+Fundraising+Guide+2026.pdf]!)_
The post-race party is held at the Sundeck Restaurant [https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/dining/aspen-mountain/sundeck]! Once you've made it to the summit, join us inside and enjoy dinner provided by The Little Nell [https://www.thelittlenell.com/], live music, and an awards ceremony where we will announce our 2026 Michael Wells Inspirational Award. We'll also be presenting our top fundraisers and top race finishers with their (much-deserved!) awards.
You can also register with your buddies as a team! If you belong to a gym, work for a company, volunteer with an organization...you name it. Gather friends, family, co-workers, volunteer buddies, gym partners, etc., pick a team name, and start training for the climb to raise awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation! There is also a prize for the best-dressed team, so please have some fun with your race costumes!
All registered participants will receive a commemorative 2026 Summit for Life item for registering.
RIDE FOR LIFE:
Skip the uphill hike and ride the Silver Queen Gondola straight to the top of Aspen Mountain! Greet your friends, cheer on the racers, and join us for the post-race party at the Sundeck.
_Please note that all racers who have not reached the fundraising minimum by 5 pm on November 30th will be charged the remaining amount, and anyone who signs up from December 1st on will be required to pay registration and the minimum fundraising amount. If you wish to go above and beyond the minimum fundraising requirement, donations will be accepted through the end of the year. _
_SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH:_ TIMELINE
* 4:30 pm Pre-race Party
* 5:30 pm Summit for Life Start
* 5:45 pm Ride for Life start _(must board the Gondola by 6:45 pm)___
* _Children 8 years old and younger race & ride for free (THEY MUST STILL REGISTER)_
Summit for Life is a nighttime uphill race up Aspen Mountain and one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) [https://chrisklugfoundation.org/]. Our mission is to raise awareness of the lifesaving gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation. By participating in Summit for Life (S4L), you are helping us spread this message and make a difference for the 103,000 people awaiting a transplant in the United States today.
Racers will climb the 3,267 vertical feet to the summit to raise awareness for the gift of life. Each year, over 400 riders and racers take on the challenge and join CKF as we celebrate at the top! Every racer must fundraise a minimum of $100. We will also offer incentives for going above and beyond! _(We are here to support your efforts--please contact us for ideas, strategies, tips, tricks, and tools, or access the Fundraising Guide [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6234d64803f53e03fac9c98e/t/6a63740227c9e664b85d8d4b/1784902658412/Summit+for+Life+Fundraising+Guide+2026.pdf]!)_
The post-race party is held at the Sundeck Restaurant [https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/dining/aspen-mountain/sundeck]! Once you've made it to the summit, join us inside and enjoy dinner provided by The Little Nell [https://www.thelittlenell.com/], live music, and an awards ceremony where we will announce our 2026 Michael Wells Inspirational Award. We'll also be presenting our top fundraisers and top race finishers with their (much-deserved!) awards.
You can also register with your buddies as a team! If you belong to a gym, work for a company, volunteer with an organization...you name it. Gather friends, family, co-workers, volunteer buddies, gym partners, etc., pick a team name, and start training for the climb to raise awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation! There is also a prize for the best-dressed team, so please have some fun with your race costumes!
All registered participants will receive a commemorative 2026 Summit for Life item for registering.
RIDE FOR LIFE:
Skip the uphill hike and ride the Silver Queen Gondola straight to the top of Aspen Mountain! Greet your friends, cheer on the racers, and join us for the post-race party at the Sundeck.
_Please note that all racers who have not reached the fundraising minimum by 5 pm on November 30th will be charged the remaining amount, and anyone who signs up from December 1st on will be required to pay registration and the minimum fundraising amount. If you wish to go above and beyond the minimum fundraising requirement, donations will be accepted through the end of the year. _
_SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH:_ TIMELINE
* 4:30 pm Pre-race Party
* 5:30 pm Summit for Life Start
* 5:45 pm Ride for Life start _(must board the Gondola by 6:45 pm)___
* _Children 8 years old and younger race & ride for free (THEY MUST STILL REGISTER)_
Races
-
Summit for Life
Incl. $2.00 Fee & Long Sleeve Shirt
Sat 5th December 2026 (5:30PM MST)
$52.00
In this exciting event, participants race from the base of Aspen Mountain all the way to the top! Racers will climb 3,267 vertical feet over the course of 2.5 milesat night! All participants will receive a racer bag, and top racers and fundraisers will be awarded for their efforts with amazing prizes! The post-race party will take place at the Sundeck Restaurant, with dinner provided by The Little Nell, live music, and awards presented for top fundraisers and racers with the fastest time. Registration for the Summit for Life ends on December 5th at 4 PM MST. Please note that all racers who have not reached the fundraising minimum by 5 pm on November 30th will be charged the remaining amount, and anyone who signs up from December 1st on will be required to pay the registration and minimum fundraising. If you wish to go above and beyond the minimum fundraising requirement, donations will be accepted through the end of the year. -
Ride for Life
Incl. $2.00 Fee
Sat 5th December 2026 (5:45PM MST)
$52.00
Skip the uphill hike and ride the Silver Queen Gondola straight to the top of Aspen Mountain! Greet your friends, cheer on the racers, and join us for the post-race party at the Sundeck Restaurant. Registration for the Ride for Life ends on December 5th at 6 PM MST. You must board the Gondola by 6:45 PM! Children 8 years old and younger register for free. However, they MUST register! -
Virtual Summit for Life Option
Incl. $1.55 Fee & T-Shirt
$36.55
We know that there are some supporters who cannot join us in person to head up the hill, so we are offering the ability to virtually summit! Racers can climb the equivalent of Aspen's 3,267 vertical feet to the summit on December 5th.
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Aspen Mountain, 601 East Dean Street, Aspen, 81611, CO, United States
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2026 Summit for Life
