The GoPro Mountain Games, the world’ s most exciting mountain sports and lifestyle event, is celebrating the 15th year of the Mountain Games in Vail this year from June 9-12.
"Yoga Girl" Rachel Brathen, a new 5K run and new-and-improved Mud Run have been added to the event lineup this year. The Mountain Games will celebrate 15 years with prizes, giveaways and early-bird registration deals.
A shot of Hayden Stearman taken with a GoPro at the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail
“This year, the number 15 is going to occupy a special place in our hearts at the GoPro Mountain Games,” said Dave Dressman of the Vail Valley Foundation, which hosts the event. “ Whether you come in 15th place in your event, or you are 15 years old, or you’ ve competed in all 15 years of the event – be ready for some very fun and spirited rewards and prizes this year.”
The GoPro Mountain Games attract regional and global athletes, offering more than $100,000 in cash prizes, the largest in the mountain sports category. It’ s expected to bring more than 60,000 spectators to Vail in June, and the event boasts more than 25 different competitions in nine disciplines, including trail running, half marathon, kayaking, SUP, rafting, mountain biking, road biking, disc golf, slacklining, fly fishing, DockDogs and photography.
This year, the GoPro Mountain Games will feature Swedish native and "Yoga Girl" Rachel Brathen, who will host two 90-minute yoga sessions at the games in Vail on June 10 and June 11.
The GoPro Mountain Games' inaugural Superfeet Après 5K offers a more casual companion to the classic Superfeet Trail 10k-ish this year, and a new-and-improved Mountain Mud Run will have exciting and challenging twists meant to invite competitors old and young to dive into the dirty action.
“Athlete participation is what creates the high energy that is the hallmark of this event,” Dressman said. “Every day we get one step closer to the sunshine and whitewater that makes the GoPro Mountain Games one of the most invigorating events in the world. It’ s time to sign up, get outdoors, and start prepping your mind and body for the kickoff to summertime in the Rockies.”
Pros and amateurs alike are encouraged to sign up now, mark the event on their calendar and begin training for mountain-tough events like the EverBank Vail Pass Kicker Half Marathon, the EverBank Season Shifter XC Mountain Bike race and the Coors Light Downriver Kayak Sprint and Coors Light Downriver SUP Sprint races. The event will also feature Raft Cross, Downriver R2 Raft Sprint, the ever-popular Costa 2 Fly Xtreme fly fishing competition and the very popular Rocky Dog Trail Run, which will now be folded in as a wave of the Superfeet Après 5K.
Sasha Digiulian warms up for the bouldering competition at the GoPro Mountain Games
Thousands of spectators are expected to rock Vail’ s Mountain Plaza when the Chipotle IFSC Bouldering World Cup returns to town. The event has become a highlight of the GoPro Mountain Games, alongside legendary competitions like the Tudor Watch Ultimate River Challenge, the Kyocera Ultimate Mountain Challenge, the Coors Light Steep Creek Championship, the Slackline Invitational, the Volvo Road Bike Time Trial and of course, the Coors Light 8 Ball Kayak Sprint.
Now in its second year, the Vibram Mountain Masters Disc Golf competition returns to town for spectator-friendly skills competitions, followed by the championship 9-hole round.
The GoPro Mountain Games, always known for its animal-friendly atmosphere, invites its furry friends back to the Blue Buffalo DockDogs big air, speed retrieve and extreme vertical competitions.
GoPro Mountain Games also welcomes back Gear Town, Adventure Village, the fan-favorite Volvo Zip Line over Gore Creek, and Chipotle Citizens Climbing and Chipotle Youth Climbing.
As the sun sets over the mountains of Vail each night, the free Mountains of Music concert series begins at Checkpoint Charlie. On Thursday, June 9, J Roddy Walston & The Business kicks off the weekend series with their American rock vibe and sound. New Zealand roots reggae band, Katchafire, is set to perform on Friday June 10. On Saturday June 11, music expands into the iconic Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater as Bonfire Dub opens for reggae legend Stephen Marley.
The event thrives with GoPro’ s support, growing to attract more than 60,000 spectators and creating more than $5 million of economic impact in the Town of Vail.
“GoPro began its involvement in this event more than seven years ago, when the camera company was a small start-up with 12 employees and a small activation tent in Vail Village,” said GoPro VP of Global Sports Entertainment Marketing Todd Ballard. “In later years, we became the official camera of the Mountain Games. And in 2013, we became title sponsor of the event. We look forward to continuing a great relationship with the Vail Valley Foundation and are eager to see what new adventures await as we help take the event into a very bright future.”
