Posted by: Julie Block
SPOTS ARE FILLING FAST. Sign your young athlete up now.
Youth participation is the fastest-growing category at the GoPro Mountain Games, and 2026 is set to be the biggest year yet for young athletes in Vail. In 2025, nearly one in three competitors was 18 or under. This year, we’ve added even more ways for kids and teens to get in on the action.
Whether your kid wants to dip their toes in (literally) or compete for a podium, there’s something here for them.
FUN FOR EVERYONE
Brand new for 2026 is the Kids Mini Dash: a kids’ running race on Friday, June 5, with short (~1K) and long (~2K) course options for ages 6–12. It’s a great first race experience!
The Lucid Kids Bike Race on Sunday, June 7 has added new waves for 2026, including one for the 6-and-under crowd. The Kids Mini Dash and Lucid Kids Bike Race pair perfectly together — register for both and save 10% with the Kids Weekend Bundle.
Want to get in on the action with them and make family memories? The Nature Valley Mountain Mud Run on Saturday, June 6 is a fan-favorite obstacle course that welcomes families and kids ages 6+. It’s muddy, it’s chaotic, and it’s one of the most fun things happening all weekend.
FREE ACTIVITIES FOR the littleST ones
While most kid-friendly competitions are for ages 6+, there plenty of opportunities for younger kids to get involved, too — and many of them are free! The Kids Climbing Wall and Kids SUP/Kayak Pool are back at The Bulleit Hangout at Golden Peak, giving younger kids a chance to try something new in a no-pressure setting.
Camp Coletrain, the free drop-in music camp for kids 12 and under, is also back this year.
For the groms ready to race
The GROM program gives athletes ages 12–18 their own competitive divisions across nearly every discipline at the Mountain Games, including mountain biking, trail running, climbing, and whitewater. Age-specific categories mean they’re racing against their peers with a real course and real competition.
The Mountain Games’ GROM program keeps growing. Brand-new GROM opportunities for 2026 include a Beginner U14 category in the Lucid XC Mountain Bike and Try Speed Climbing for ages 12 and up.
YETI Youth Climbing – Speed gives young athletes their own head-to-head speed competition on the same wall where Olympic-track athletes are competing that weekend.
And for young runners, the adidas Terrex Après 5K and adidas Terrex 10K Spring Runoff both have dedicated categories for ages 12–18.
Coming with a group? Bring 10 or more GROM athletes and everyone gets 20% off registration.
Register NOW
Spots are filling up fast and some events are starting to sell out. Register your child today so they don’t miss out.
Check out the full kids and family guide at mountaingames.com/im-a-kid.
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