Welcome to the VC 2026 Season!
There’s a feeling that rises up every year right about now.
It starts the moment the mornings turn crisp, when the first snow guns fire on distant mountain peaks and parents start asking, “So… when does the VC come back?”
And today, we finally get to say it: Welcome to the Vertical Challenge 2026 season!
Whether this is your family’s very first time hearing those words or your thirtieth winter with us, we’re beyond excited to be part of your ski season.
Because the VC isn’t just a race.
It’s a festival. A celebration. A traveling winter village filled with music, laughter, prizes, and moments that make families say, “This. This is why we came.”
Winter Is Where We Gather
Every mountain we visit becomes a little home away from home for a day. The tents pop up before sunrise. The crew jokes and dances as they roll out the finished fencing. Parents sip early-morning coffee while kids bounce in their boots, pretending not to be nervous. And then, as the sun lifts over the ridge, the magic happens.
Kids who thought they weren’t brave enough take that first breath at the start gate.
Parents who weren’t sure if their beginner was “ready” suddenly find themselves shouting encouragement loud enough for the whole mountain to hear.
Siblings, cousins, neighbors, and new friends all race the same friendly course: wide, smooth, and fun: designed for joy over speed.
By lunchtime, the village is in full swing. Music. Games. Giveaways. Our MC who attracts a crowd no matter the mountain. Our crew showing off dance moves that defy explanation. And kids running up to their parents shouting, “Can we come back next weekend?”
If you’ve been here before, you know the feeling.
If you’re new, you’re in the right place: genuinely.
A Season Filled With Possibility
The 2026 tour takes us across New England and the Northeast, stopping at mountains of every size and personality. BigRock. Lost Valley. Saddleback. Black Mountain of Maine. Tenney Mountain. Ski Butternut. Jiminy. Catamount. And that’s just January.
Each stop has its own charm, its own community energy, and its own style of cheering. But the heart of the VC stays the same everywhere we go: every racer belongs, every family is welcomed, and every moment of courage counts.
If your child is unsure, or you’re unsure, let us be the first to reassure you:
You don’t need fancy gear.
You don’t need racing experience.
You don’t need to be fast.
You only need a spark of curiosity and a willingness to try.
We’ll take care of the rest.
What We’re Most Excited About This Year
This season, we’re doubling down on the parts of the VC that make it so beloved:
• More village fun: new games, more interactive booths, and fresh giveaway surprises.
• More family features: because the stories you share keep this community thriving.
• More beginner support: from tips to warm-up ideas to helping kids feel calm at the start.
• More cheering than ever: we’re pretty sure our crew has been practicing at home.
But most of all, we’re excited to see YOU.
Your kids are trying something brave.
Your families are laughing together.
Your moments are becoming memories.
We Can’t Wait to Hit the Road
So grab your gloves (both of them: check under the car seat), wipe down the goggles, and start looking at the January calendar. The VC village is getting ready to roll, and we’re saving a place for your family right at the heart of it.
Let’s make winter magical again. Together.
The first races of 2026 are just around the corner, and every mountain we visit becomes a celebration of families, courage, and pure winter joy. Whether you’re lacing up racing boots for the first time or returning as a seasoned VC veteran, this season promises to be our best yet.
See you on the mountain: we can’t wait to cheer you on!
Want updates and fun surprises? Join our email list for everything you need to plan your VC season at www.ski-vc.com.
