Partner Press Release GoPro Mountain Games
Vail, Colo., March 26, 2026 — When the world’s fastest speed climbers launched off the starting strip at the 2025 GoPro Mountain Games, flying up the 15-meter wall in mere seconds, the reaction was immediate, electric, and unmistakable: Vail had a new obsession.
Now, speed climbing is back for year two at the 2026 GoPro Mountain Games June 4-7. The discipline is returning with everything that made it a sensation last summer, plus a deeper, more expansive program, with opportunities for everyone to get involved.
The return of a fan favorite
The centerpiece of the speed climbing program is once again the YETI North American Cup Series Vail – Speed. This is not a grassroots local comp. The NACS is a pipeline to the World Cup and the Olympics, and many of the athletes competing in Vail are the same names chasing medals on the world stage.
Two athletes. Side by side. Racing head-to-head up identical routes. The fastest five seconds in sports — right here in the Colorado mountains.
With speed climbing confirmed for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the athletes competing at the NACS in Vail this June are some of the very athletes with LA28 in their sights. Watching these competitors race isn’t just watching sport — it’s watching the future of the Olympic climbing program unfold in real time.
“We’re excited to bring the North American Cup back to the GoPro Mountain Games and to once again showcase Boulder and Speed climbing in such an iconic setting,” said Marc Norman, President & CEO of USA Climbing.” After such a successful debut of Speed last year, we look forward to giving athletes and fans another full weekend of intense climbing competition!”
Qualification for the NACS takes place through USA Climbing, and registration is for invited NACS-eligible athletes only.
More 2026 speed climbing fun
Also returning to the 2026 GoPro Mountain Games is the YETI Speed Climbing Showdown — a head-to-head open competition on the speed wall for competitors of all levels looking to test themselves on the same course as the pros — as well as YETI Youth Climbing – Speed, giving the next generation a chance to find out just how fast they can go.
And for those who want more than just a single shot at the wall, there’s the YETI Speed Climbing Clinic. This clinic is a rare opportunity for participants to be on the speed wall alongside some of the country’s top speed athletes, who will walk them through the route, share their technique, and break down the most effective ways to approach each move. Participants can choose from one of two sessions, or they can sign up for both. The clinic is open to anyone ages 12 and up with prior speed climbing experience.
New this year: Try Speed Climbing is an open session on the speed wall for anyone ages 12 and up with climbing experience — whether that’s bouldering, sport climbing, or anything else. No speed background required. Just a curiosity about what it feels like to launch up a 15-meter wall and see what your body can do.
“Speed climbing was a huge hit last year and brought with it amazing energy and large crowds. The Hangout at Golden Peak truly came alive,” said Dave Dressman, Event Director for the GoPro Mountain Games. “This year we’re building on that momentum with a program that allows everyone to get in on the action, whether you’re an Olympic hopeful racing on the NACS circuit, a boulderer who’s never touched a speed wall, or a beginner who just wants to give it a shot. With LA 2028 on the horizon, there’s never been a better moment to be in Vail watching this sport.”
Early bird pricing is available through April 1. For those who want to participate, now is the time to lock in the lowest registration rates. The GoPro Mountain Games is 100% free to spectate, so even if you’re not competing, come out and watch the fastest climbers in North America race head-to-head at the Bulleit Hangout at Golden Peak.
Learn more and register before April 2 for the best price at mountaingames.com.
About the GoPro Mountain Games
Each June the GoPro Mountain Games event brings athletes, art, music and mountains together in Vail, Colorado, to create the best all-around adventure sports and music festival available anywhere in the world.
Founded in 2002, the family-friendly event sits at the intersection of adventure sports, music, art and the outdoor industry. The event is hosted by the Vail Valley Foundation, in partnership with GoPro, Town of Vail, CELSIUS, adidas TERREX, Nature Valley, Vail Resorts, YETI, Purina Pro Plan, Lucid, BFGoodrich, and other partners. For more information about the Mountain Games, visit mountaingames.com.
About the Vail Valley Foundation
The Vail Valley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit with a mission to provide leadership in arts, athletics, and education, and address community needs to enhance our valley as a place to live, work, and visit.
The organization’s work in education is through Youth Power, a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation which provides programs from early childhood to college and career to support youth and families every step of the way. The VVF puts on several annual events including the GoPro Mountain Games, Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup races, Vail Dance Festival, and Bulleit Hot Summer Nights and Town of Eagle ShowDown Town free concert series. The organization manages the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, hosting over 150 events annually. The VVF also operates Eagle River Valley Childcare, a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation focused on enhancing early childhood education and development services across the community.
Vail Valley Foundation is grateful for our cornerstone partners: Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, GoPro, Nature Valley, Constellation Brands, CELSIUS, Diageo, Lucid, Lifetime Home Remodeling, and Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.
To learn more, visit vvf.org.