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 must fundraise a minimum of $100. We will also offer incentives for going 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!)

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. Gather friends, family, co-workers, volunteer buddies, gym partners, etc., 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.

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 registration and the minimum fundraising amount. If you wish to go above and beyond the minimum fundraising requirement, donations will be accepted through the end of the year. 

Saturday, December 5th: Timeline

• 4:30 pm Pre-race Party
• 5:30 pm Summit for Life Start 
• 5:45 pm Ride for Life  start (must board the Gondola by 6:45 pm)
• Children 8 years old and younger race & ride for free (THEY MUST STILL REGISTER)