Sunlight Mountain Defiance Challenge 2026

 
The Defiance Challenge isn’t just an endurance event, it’s a heart-pounding, adrenaline fueled showdown that tests grit, skill, and sheer determination! Open to expert skiers and riders ages 6 and up, this epic two-person team race pushes competitors to their limits as they battle to rack up the most runs in a grueling 10-hour marathon on the slopes.

 

The bar is set high: the legendary record of 49 runs—an astonishing 66,792 vertical feet—was established in 2020 by the unstoppable duo, Aidan Corcoran and Nate Grosscup. Can you and your partner rise to the occasion and shatter this milestone?

 

The action kicks off at 7 a.m. sharp outside the main Sunlight lodge with a Le Mans-style start that’s as chaotic as it is thrilling. At the sound of the starting gun, racers explode into motion, sprinting to their waiting skis or snowboards, snapping into their bindings, and charging toward the Segundo chairlift. From there, it’s a non-stop, high-speed adventure as teams conquer 40 challenging routes, including every double black diamond Sunlight has to offer.

 

Whether you're here to make history or just prove you’ve got what it takes, the Defiance Challenge promises a day of unforgettable thrills and fierce competition. Are you ready to defy the limits? Let the countdown begin!