Touching the sky with a finger
The Monte Rosa SkyMarathon is not only the highest race in Europe but also the cradle of skyrunning, where it all began in 1992 in Alagna Valsesia (VC).
After the last edition in 1996, the race was relaunched in 2018 with a new format, retracing every year the original route up to the summit of Monte Rosa at 4,554 meters. This unique event, in pure skyrunning style, crosses moraines, snowfields, and glaciers over 35 kilometers with 7,000 meters of elevation gain and descent. In 2025, an uphill-only version was introduced: the Monte Rosa SkySummit. In both races, athletes compete in teams of two, tied together for safety reasons. For those wishing to run solo, in 2026 the new Monte Rosa SkyRace will be launched, a re-edition of the last race held exactly 30 years ago: 25 km in length with 5,000 m of positive elevation gain, ascending and descending to Rifugio Gnifetti at 3,647m.
Four races make up the Monte Rosa 2026 events, including the AMA VK2, a double Vertical Kilometer®.
All races exceed 3,000 m, faithful to the original concept of being the highest race venue in Europe.
Monte Rosa SkyMarathon
4554m – Team race
Distance 35 km. Elevation gain/loss 7000m +/-
Alagna – Capanna Margherita – Alagna
The route follows the original track completed for the first time in 1993, from Alagna Valsesia, 1192m, to Stazione Indren 3260m, passing through Bocchetta delle Pisse 2396m. It continues to Rifugio Gnifetti 3647m, Colle del Lys 4250m, up to Capanna Margherita 4554m, returning via the same itinerary.
Monte Rosa SkySummit
4554m – Team race
Distance 17.5 km. Elevation gain 3,500m +
Alagna – Capanna Margherita
The route follows the original uphill-only track completed for the first time in 1993, from Alagna Valsesia, 1192m, to Stazione Indren 3260m, passing through Bocchetta delle Pisse 2396m. It continues to Rifugio Gnifetti 3647m, Colle del Lys 4250m, up to Capanna Margherita 4554m. The return follows the same route to the Indren cable car station and is not timed.
AMA VK2
3260m – Individual race
Distance 9 km. Elevation gain 2086m+
Alagna – Indren
The route starts from Alagna Valsesia, 1192m, passing through Bocchetta delle Pisse 2396m, up to Stazione Indren 3260m, for a total of 9 km and 2086m of uphill elevation.
Monte SkyRace
3647m – Individual race
Distance 25 km. Elevation gain/loss 5000m +/-
Alagna – Rifugio Gnifetti – Alagna
The route retraces the first part of the Monte Rosa SkyMarathon course, from Alagna Valsesia, 1192m, to Stazione Indren 3260m, passing through Bocchetta delle Pisse 2396m. It continues to Rifugio Gnifetti 3647m, from where the descent begins, passing Rifugio Città di Mantova 3498m, Punta Indren, returning via the same itinerary.
Competition Dates
Saturday, June 13, 2026: Monte Rosa SkyMarathon and Monte Rosa SkySummit, AMA VK2 and Monte Rosa SkyRace.
Registration
Places for Monte Rosa SkyMarathon and Monte Rosa SkySummit are sold out. Registration for AMA VK2 and Monte Rosa SkyRace 2026 is still open!
Lift Opening Hours
Ticket offices opening hours: Alagna 05:00 AM – Staffal 05:15 AM
Opening of Alagna and Staffal lifts to the public: 05:30 AM
Continuous service on the Alagna–Indren route
The Staffal–Passo dei Salati route will observe a lunch break from 12:30 PM to 02:00 PM.
Lift Ticket Prices
30% discount from ticket office opening until 09:00 AM on the following round-trip tickets:
Round-trip Alagna–Indren, valid for the same day
Round-trip Staffal–Indren, valid for the same day
Round-trip Alagna–Pianalunga
Round-trip Alagna–Passo dei Salati
For more details and updates, visit the Official Monte Rosa SkyMarathon Website
