Six years on, the VK OPEN reaches a new milestone with a rebranding and is now officially the VK OPEN World Cup. It remains the only worldwide circuit dedicated to Vertical Kilometer® races and is sanctioned by the International Skyrunning Federation.
The 2026 season features nine spectacular stages across four continents, uniting elite athletes, passionate amateurs and mountain enthusiasts under one exhilarating banner. Three new destinations expand the World Cup map across the globe — from Canada, to the USA and Japan. The calendar also travels through Europe to Portugal and Andorra, sumitting in Columbia — with the promise of a thrilling mix of landscapes, cultures and challenges for athletes and fans alike.
The journey kicks off on March 7 with the ever-faithful KM de Câmara de Lobos, hosted on the stunning island of Madeira, Portugal. Known for its spectacular coastal setting and warm local atmosphere, this race once again sets the tone for the season, combining technical difficulty with unforgettable scenery. Its short yet intense course climbs 1,000m in just 2.9 km — an ISF Technical Level 2 race guaranteeing a powerful start to the World Cup.
Next, the action moves to Andorra on May 22, where the Travessa d’Encamp KM Vertical makes its first appearance on the calendar. This event promises an exciting high-altitude challenge with steep gradients, alpine panoramas and the vibrant energy that characterises Vertical Kilometer® racing in the Pyrenees.
On June 6, it’s double trouble with two races on two continents. In Europe, athletes will take on the Casamanya Extrem Vertical Race, one of Andorra’s severest courses, 5.5 km long with a challenging 1,400m vertical climb.
On the same day in Asia, new entry Japan welcomes runners to the Biwako Valley Vertical, where a 4 km course with 880m of ascent showcases the country’s fast-growing passion for skyrunning, also on the on the international stage where Japanese athletes excel. At last year’s VK OPEN Championships Grand Finale, Japan secured two second places for both the men’s and women’s categories.
The competition then returns to Madeira on June 12 for the Santana VK, one of the most iconic and scenic climbs on the World Cup. Steep and dynamic, this stage blends the demands of vertical running with the magic of local culture and natural beauty.
Another new continent, another new race: the Minotaur VK in Alberta, Canada, joins the circuit on June 26. A tough ISF Technical Level 2 Certified Course, it measures 4 km with 970m of vertical climb, reaching 2,380m altitude. The VK forms part of the weekend’s first-ever Youth North & Central American Championships. Race organiser Andrew Fairhurst commented, “The Minotaur team is super excited to see the sport of skyrunning continue its growth in North America, and having the Minotaur VK now be part of the VK OPEN World Cup circuit is an honour. This adds a whole new level of excitement to the Minotaur weekend as we’ll watch the world’s best mountain athletes compete for the title of VK OPEN champion.”
The VK OPEN World Cup then lands in the USA for the first time with the Whiteface VK, celebrating Independence Day on July 4. The course features a 970m vertical climb over a 4.2 km course set in the Adirondack High Peaks, with views stretching hundreds of miles.
“Through the 1932 and 1980 Olympics, Whiteface challenged the world’s best and boldest alpine ski descenders. We’re stoked for the Whiteface Mountain Races’ VK to join a slate of awesome races comprising the VK OPEN World Cup, hosting some of the world’s greatest alpine ascenders,” stated Ian Golden, Whiteface race organiser. “We’ve designed the course to allow entrants to push their thresholds, limited not by technicality but by raw effort — racing a vertical kilometre ascent in just over four kilometres of runnable terrain. Let’s find those red lines and see who comes out on top.”
Colombia returns, this time, on the World Cup map on August 6 with the Kilómetro Vertical Alto de Letras. This race takes the “vertical” to the extreme — with a 4.8 km course, 1,000m of vertical climb, and a stunning finish at 3,600m altitude, it proudly stands as the highest race of the VK OPEN World Cup.
This is just the beginning. With a Grand Finale still to be announced and more surprises in store, the new VK OPEN World Cup promises pure excitement for those who like it short and steep.
Details and ranking points breakdown
CC list and Technical Levels
2026 VK OPEN World Cup calendar
7 March – Portugal – KM Vertical de Câmara de Lobos – 2.9 km / 1,000m+
22 May – Andorra – Travessa d’Encamp KM Vertical – 5 km / 1,030m+
6 June – Japan – Biwako Valley Vertical – 4 km / 880m+
6 June – Andorra – Casamanya Extrem Vertical Race – 5.5 km / 1,400m+
12 June – Portugal – Santana VK – 4.8 km / 1,003m+
26 June – Canada – Minotaur VK – 4 km / 970+
4 July – USA – Whiteface VK – 4.2 / 970+
6 August – Columbia – Kilómetro Vertical Alto de Letras – 4.8 km / 1,000m+
Grand Finale – TBC
