Take on Aotearoa’s unique sky-running challenge at Whakapapa Ski Area, Mount Ruapehu, where athletes attempt to ascend the highest mountains from the seven continents of the world.

A New Zealand first, presented by The Ohakune Events Charitable Trust and Whakapapa, the Sky Waka Vertical Challenge sees individuals, pairs, and teams of 3 knock off as much mountain elevation as possible in four hours!

Participants (or as we like to call them, legends), use pure leg, core, and willpower to ascend the mountain on the Waterfalls Descent Track. They will then be rewarded with a much-deserved ride on the Sky Waka Gondola to bring them back down to the event base/transition area where they can either do it all over again, or for teams of 3, tag in a teammate!

Expect a super-charged atmosphere with music, live commentary, and supporters cheering on their favourite athletes as they rack up the metres to their target peak. Will they be gunning for the Mt Ruapehu Peak (2797m), the Mount Elbrus Peak (5,642m), or the big guy, the Mount Everest Peak (8,850m)?

Are you more of a speed demon? Take on the Vertical Dash where you have one shot at recording the fastest time to scale the 400m of mountain elevation across the 2.5km course.
And a bonus for everyone involved, a portion of your entry fee will go toward supporting the Taupo Greenlea Rescue Helicopter!