2026 Flagstaff Sky Peaks Course Preview
Race Director Aaron Barber walks through every finalized, Forest Service approved course for the new three-day Flagstaff Sky Peaks format at Arizona Snowbowl. A few tweaks have been made since the courses were first posted. Nothing major, but worth knowing before race weekend.Key changes since the original course maps:The Agassiz Loop (3.5 mi / ~2,000 ft) now climbs straight up the gondola line instead of the ski runs, then descends a steep, loose pitch onto a new service road back to the lodge.50 Mile: the east end is rerouted due to construction at Lockett Meadow. After Hostetter Aid you'll stay low, climb FR 420 to 428, grind up a rugged 2.5-mile abandoned road (~1,500 ft), then enjoy 7.5 miles of net-downhill Waterline Road to Schultz Pass. Higher, better views, and a net-downhill trade for the old FR 420 section.50 Mile / 50K / 26K finish: one last 160 ft ski-run climb before the finish line for better flow. You'll thank him later.Timestamps0:00 Intro and what's changed0:40 Friday Hill Climb: gondola line to the summit outcropping1:52 The Agassiz Loop: the opening 3.5 mi / 2,000 ft every Saturday race starts with3:45 6-Hour and 12-Hour fixed-time: Agassiz Loop repeats4:18 50 Mile: Aspen Loop, AZT northbound, FR 418, Hostetter, the new 428/Waterline Road section, Schultz, Old Weatherford, Fort Valley, power line climb10:28 50K: 31.8 mi / 6,000 ft. AZT southbound, Fort Valley, Schultz, Old Weatherford, Moto trails, power line12:27 26K: the critical turn north at ~mile 11 to Kachina Aid, then all uphill13:34 11K and 5K: 5K is 3.5 mi / ~800 ft with all the climbing on the back half. 11K is the Agassiz Loop plus the 5K15:57 Sunday Mountain 6K: one circuit of the Agassiz Loop16:18 Sunday Mountain 20K: point-to-point from Fort Valley Trailhead, 12.9 mi / 4,500 ft, up the 40 to 50% grade Upper Ridge ski slopes to the gondola summit20:34 Scouting and training notesTraining reminder: Everything is open to scout except Snowbowl property. No training runs on the gondola line or the Agassiz Loop climb/descent before race day. The Aspen Loop, AZT, and all Forest Service sections are fair game.A separate race brief video covering logistics (pacers, drop bags, parking, shuttles, aid stations) is coming in the next week. Courses are up to date on the website now.
