2026 Summit for Life

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). 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 is required to fundraise a minimum of $100 and will receive a long-sleeved shirt. There will also be incentives to go 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!)

SUMMIT FOR LIFE:

Participants will meet in Gondola Plaza at the base of the mountain at 5 pm MT, and begin racing at 5:30 pm!  Hike, skin, or snowshoe your way up the 3,267 vertical feet to the top of Aspen Mountain, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, in beautiful Aspen, Colorado. View course map HERE.

The post-race party is held at the Sundeck Restaurant! Once you've made it to the summit, join us inside and enjoy dinner provided by The Little Nell, 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. Get a group of your friends, family, co-workers, volunteer buddies, gym partners, etc, together, 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.

SUMMIT FOR LIFE EVENT SCHEDULE:

Saturday, December 5th: In-Person Summit for Life

• 5:30 pm race start

• Children 8 years old and younger race & ride for free (THEY MUST STILL REGISTER)

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. 

In this exciting event, participants race from the base of Aspen Mountain all the way to the top! Racers will climb the 2.5 miles—at night! All participants will receive a racer bag, and top racers and fundraisers will be awarded for their efforts with amazing prizes! Dinner will be provided at the Sundeck Restaurant by The Little Nell, with a live-streamed awards show post-race, presented by liver transplant recipient and Olympic medalist Chris Klug.

Saturday, December 5th: Ride for Life

• 5:45pm start (must board the Gondola by 6:45pm)

• Children 8 years old and younger race & ride for free (THEY MUST STILL REGISTER)

VOLUNTEER WITH CKF!

Unable to race or ride? Want to do more? Consider volunteering with us!  

What is the fundraising all about?

• The fundraising minimum for Summit for Life is $100 per athlete. There is no minimum for Ride for Life participants. 

  Racers are required to meet their fundraising minimum by 5 pm on November 30th. If you have not met the minimum, CKF will charge the card on file.

• Racers who register on or after December 1st will be required to pay their registration fee and fundraising at the time of sign-up. 

  Fundraising will remain open until midnight December 31st for anyone looking to go above and beyond. 

  You can create a fundraising team to work together to achieve your fundraising goals. Here are a few highlights surrounding your fundraising team.

  • If you receive a donation to your individual fundraiser, it will be reflected on your team fundraiser.

  • If you receive a donation to your team fundraiser, it will NOT be reflected on your individual page. Our team will calculate all team donations and divide them equally amongst the team at the end.

  • If another member of your team goes above and beyond on their individual fundraiser, that does not count towards other team members' fundraising. If you would like to cover the fundraising for your team, please donate to the team fundraiser to see if it is divided amongst everyone. 

• There are fundraising prizes for our top 3 individual fundraisers, youth fundraisers, and our top fundraising team. 

• All proceeds support CKF's free educational and inspirational programming.

What is Ride for Life? 

• Anyone looking to go to the top of the mountain using the Gondola must purchase a Ride for Life ticket.

• The Gondola is closed to the public, therefore, your Aspen Snowmass Pass is NOT valid.

• Children under 8 ride for free. However, they MUST register!

• The Gondola will open after the race start (approximately at 5:45pm). Please be aware we will load CKF volunteers, staff, and vendors first, followed by those with small children and older guests.

• The Gondola takes about 20-30 minutes to reach the top, so you will have plenty of time before the leader finishes. 

What happens if the event is canceled? 

• In the case of a weather cancellation, we will work diligently to update you as soon as possible, either through social media, email, or our website. Please check these on race day for any updates.

• Please understand that while conditions may seem great at the bottom, that may not be the case at the top of the mountain or later in the evening. We do not make the ultimate call. The Aspen Snowmass Gondola Team will decide based on the safety of our participants, vendors, and volunteers, and their staff. We will fully support their decision as safety comes first!

• As this is a fundraiser, we do not offer refunds, and racers will be held responsible for their $100 fundraising minimum. These races support CKF’s mission year-round to eliminate the wait for a transplant.

• We will work to reschedule the race if possible, so please always stay tuned for those details, which will be released as soon as possible. 

What is the menu? 

• Chili (vegetarian option): none

• Caesar Salad: dairy & gluten

• Smoked Poblano Mac & Cheese: dairy & gluten

• Cornbread: dairy & gluten

• Hot Cocoa: dairy

• Cookies: dairy & gluten

How much does it cost to participate?

• This year we have changed our pricing structure to offer those who register early the best deal! Registration prices will be as follows: 

  • Super Early Bird Pricing - September 1st - October 14th

    • Summit for Life - $50 ($100 Fundraising Minimum)

    • Ride for Life - $50

    • Virtual Summit for Life - $35 (Will remain the same price the whole time)

  • Early Bird Pricing - October 15th - November 14th

    • Summit for Life - $75 ($100 Fundraising Minimum)

    • Ride for Life - $75 (Will remain the same price moving forward) 

    • Virtual Summit for Life - $35

  • Regular Pricing - November 15th - November 30th

    • Summit for Life - $100 ($100 Fundraising Minimum) 

    • Ride for Life - $75 

    • Virtual Summit for Life - $35

  • Race Week Sign Up - December 1st - December 5th

    • Summit for Life - $175 (Fundraising Minimum required with sign up) 

    • Ride for Life - $75 

    • Virtual Summit for Life - $35

Can I use my Aspen Snowmass ski pass? 

No. This is a registration-based event, and the Gondola is closed to the public. The only people permitted to ride the Gondola are those who have purchased a Ride for Life registration.

What do you recommend for lodging for out of town guests?

This year we are proud to announce several local hotels have been wonderful in their support of our racers, offering various discounts over race weekend. Click HERE to learn more. 

Please see below for a list of our preferred local lodging options with discounts for Summit for Life participants and CKF supporters!

White Elephant 
110 West Main Street, Aspen

December 4-6
30% Discount

For help, call 844-607-0421 with reference code CKF.

The Gant
610 S. West End Street, Aspen

December 4-6

25% Discount

Discount also available 3 days pre and post. Book by November 15th to receive the discount.

The Hoffman
30 Kodiak Drive, Basalt

December 4-6
15% Discount

• Friday, December 4: 4 - 7pm (Aspen Square Hotel)

• Saturday, December 5th: 11am - 4pm (Aspen Square Hotel)

• Saturday, December 5th: 4 - 5:30pm (Gondola Plaza)

Please pick up your racer bib and packet from the Aspen Square Conference Room until 4pm on race day. AFTER 4 PM, PICK UP YOUR BIB & SHIRT AT THE RACE START.

If you win any fundraising prizes and you pick up after 4pm, you will need to connect with CKF staff to schedule a time to pick them up. If there is a valid reason you cannot pick up your packet during this time, please reach out to CKF staff at info@chrisklugfoundation.org so that they can work to organize an alternative time for you to pick it up. Picking up your packet is compulsory as it does contain your number and tracking. Racers are not allowed on course without a bib.

Event Registration Insurance is offered on the events listed below:

Summit for Life
This event offers FanShield Race Event

Ride for Life
This event offers FanShield Race Event

Virtual Summit for Life
This event does NOT offer insurance

The FanShield Race Event premium in the United States, including processing fees, is:
$2.99 for registrations up to $24.99
$3.99 for registrations between $25.00 and $49.23
8.1% of the registration fee for anything above $49.23
Plus related taxes and fees by state

 Disclaimer: Actual coverage to the end consumers may vary with the specific insurance policy document only, and this is for informational purposes only.

Fundraising Deadlines

Each participant has a minimum fundraising commitment of $100 by 5 pm on November 30th. Participants that go above and beyond have the chance to win prizes for being the top fundraiser!  Your registration fee also gets refunded when you fundraise more than $1,000. 

Registered participants who do not reach the $100 fundraising minimum by November 30th will be charged the remaining funds. If you sign up after December 1st, your fundraising minimum will be included in your registration.  

Cancellation / Drop Out 

• Summit for Life is a fundraising race, and therefore CKF does not offer refunds or transfers of either registration or fundraising. 

• You are responsible for meeting the minimum regardless if you participate or not. 

How Is Your Fundraising Used?

All 2026 Summit for Life fundraising goes toward the Chris Klug Foundation. We are extremely grateful for all the efforts you put into fundraising for our organization. We may be small, but we are mighty, and your support gives us that strength. To learn more about where your donations go, please visit https://www.chrisklugfoundation.org/accountability.

Tips for Fundraising

As a nonprofit, we get it: asking for money is hard! This is why we have created our very own Summit for Life Fundraising guide with all of the tips and tricks to raise the most, as well as the facts about organ, eye, and tissue donation. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SUMMIT FOR LIFE FUNDRAISING GUIDE

Team Fundraising

You can create a fundraising team to work together to achieve your fundraising goals. Here are a few highlights surrounding your fundraising team.

• If you receive a donation to your individual fundraiser, it will be reflected on your team fundraiser.

• If you receive a donation to your team fundraiser, it will NOT be reflected on your individual page. Our team will calculate all team donations and divide them equally amongst the team at the end.

• If another member of your team goes above and beyond on their individual fundraiser, that does not count towards other team members' fundraising. If you would like to cover the fundraising for your team, please donate to the team fundraiser to see if it is divided amongst everyone.

Top Fundraiser Awards 

For the fundraisers who go above and beyond for CKF and our cause! Prizes will be awarded to the three individuals who fundraise the most for CKF:

• Top 3 Solo Fundraisers

• Top 3 Youth Fundraisers (18 and under) 

And, of course, teamwork makes the dream work! We'd be remiss if we didn't recognize the power of working together as a team, so a group prize will be awarded to the team that fundraises the most:

• Top Fundraising Team 

There will also be fundraising prizes for certain milestones achieved beyond the fundraising minimum. 

Fastest Racers Awards

For the Summit for Life race, prizes will be awarded to the fastest three participants in the following categories:

• Fastest 3 Males

• Fastest 3 Females

• Fastest Senior (70 and older)

• Fastest Youth (17 and under) 

• Fastest Child (12 and under)

A group prize will be awarded to the fastest team:

• Fastest Team  

Lastly, we will have small prizes for the top 3 male and female athletes in each age group. 

• 12 and Under

• 13 - 17 Years Old 

• 18 - 29 Years Old 

• 30 - 39 Years Old 

• 40 - 49 Years Old 

• 50 - 59 Years Old 

• 60 - 69 Years Old 

• Over 70 

Fun Awards 

We will have several fun extra awards for those there for a good time: 

• Farthest Traveling Team 

• Farthest Traveling Individual

• Best Dressed Team 

• Best Dressed Individual 

What are the registration details?

• Registration opens September 1st. This year we have a series of price changes. Sign up early for the best deal!

• Race day registration for either Summit for Life or Ride for Life is available if we have not reached our maximum of 425 participants. This is non-negotiable, and there will be a hard cutoff at 425.

• All hikers and riders are required to register. NO TICKET NO HIKE OR RIDE!!!!

• Under 8 ride for free, but they are required to register. The system will set their registration to $ 0 when you add their age. 

Can I transfer or cancel my registration?

• No. Since Summit for Life is a FUNDRAISING event for CKF, we do not permit race transfers for either registrations or fundraising. If you are unable to race, you agree that CKF will keep your registration, and you will be held responsible for reaching the minimum.

How do I train? 

• Make sure you get some incline training to build up your stamina! Walk up hills (roads or trails), climb stairs, or set the incline on a treadmill, or use a stair climber in the gym.

• Climbing 3,267 feet of elevation is the equivalent of about 4,900 stairs (assuming a standard 8-inch step height). This is roughly equivalent to scaling 305 standard flights of stairs, or completing about 8 full workouts on a standard StairMaster machine.

• The average finish time for Summit is 1.5-2 hours, with the first and last finishers coming in at 40 minutes and 3 hours.

• Practice with your equipment if you can. Even if it's just a traction device you slip over sneakers, test them out ahead of time in the snow to get used to the feeling. Be sure to bring poles. Aspen Mountain is steep, and ski poles are very helpful. (Make sure they have baskets so they don’t sink in the snow.)

What gear do I need? 

• You can either wear microspikes, skins, or snowshoes. We recommend spikes for beginners as they are the most user-friendly and fastest option on groomed snow (if there is a lot of fresh snow, snowshoes or skins can be helpful IF you are familiar with using them)

• Dress in layers. Start with a lightweight thermal base layer, and then a light wind-resistant second layer but not much more! You will heat up climbing Aspen. 

• Be sure to have something to cover your ears (headband or beanie), and gloves or mittens.

• The temperature and wind are variable – on cold, windy nights you’ll need to dress warmer with heavier accessories. On a warmer, still night, you can get away with more lightweight accessories.

• Bring along hand warmers for backup. 

• If you are wearing tennis shoes or similar shoes, wrap your socked feet in baggies first so your feet stay dry!

Can I bring a drop bag?

• All racers are welcome to send a drop bag to the summit to be ready and waiting for them when they finish. 

• You can drop bags with the CKF volunteers at Gondola Plaza starting from 4:30pm; you will then pick them up from the Gondola Building by sharing your bib number with the volunteers. 

• We suggest including dry clothes and shoes along with any other post race comforts you would like. 

What is the course like?

• You can view the current course map HERE. 

• Please be aware it is subject to change depending on conditions. 

What are the on-mountain rules?

• You MUST wear your bib to hike; anyone heading up the hill without a bib will be turned around. 

• If you begin to hike and decide to turn around for any reason, you MUST inform the volunteer at the Gondola Building! You are welcome to ride the gondola to the top in this circumstance. 

• There are two aid stations on course, with water and apple cider. If you reach one of the stations and cannot continue, please inform the volunteers and ski patrol, who will assist. When you reach the top on the snowmobile, please inform the volunteer at the finish line! 

• IF YOU PULL OUT AT ANY POINT, INFORM A CKF VOLUNTEER, SO WE DON'T GO LOOKING FOR YOU!!! 

• Please stay on the course route; we will confirm the final route during the pre-race announcements.

• YOU CANNOT SKI DOWN. Since this event is in partnership with Aspen Snowmass, you MUST ride the gondola down after the event. No one is permitted to ski, snowboard, or hike back down the mountain.

What is the fundraising?

• The fundraising minimum for Summit for Life is $100 per athlete. There is no minimum for Ride for Life participants. 

  Racers are required to meet their fundraising minimum by 5 pm on November 30th. If you have not met the minimum, CKF will charge the card on file.

• Racers who register on or after December 1st will be required to pay their registration fee and fundraising at the time of sign-up. 

  Fundraising will remain open until midnight December 31st for anyone looking to go above and beyond.

• You can create a fundraising team to work together to achieve your fundraising goals. Here are a few highlights surrounding your fundraising team.

  • If you receive a donation to your individual fundraiser, it will be reflected on your team fundraiser.

  • If you receive a donation to your team fundraiser, it will NOT be reflected on your individual page. Our team will calculate all team donations and divide them equally amongst the team at the end.

  • If another member of your team goes above and beyond on their individual fundraiser, that does not count towards other team members' fundraising. If you would like to cover the fundraising for your team, please donate to the team fundraiser to see if it is divided amongst everyone.

• There are fundraising prizes for our top 3 individual fundraisers, youth fundraisers, and our top fundraising team. 

How much does it cost?

• This year we have changed our pricing structure to offer those who register early the best deal! Registration prices will be as follows: 

  • Super Early Bird Pricing - September 1st - October 14th

    • Summit for Life - $50 ($100 Fundraising Minimum)

    • Ride for Life - $50

    • Virtual Summit for Life - $35 (Will remain the same price)

  • Early Bird Pricing - October 15th - November 14th

    • Summit for Life - $75 ($100 Fundraising Minimum)

    • Ride for Life - $75 (Will remain the same price) 

  • Regular Pricing - November 15th - November 30th

    • Summit for Life - $100 ($100 Fundraising Minimum) 

  • Race Week Sign Up - December 1st - December 5th

    • Summit for Life - $175 (Fundraising Minimum required with sign-up)