August 2 - Vail Berry Picker
Presented by: East West Hospitality
Date, Location & Time
August 2, 2025 | Base of Gondola One on Vail Mountain, CO | 8 a.m.*
*Date, location and time are subject to change
Register!
Online Registration | Registration Form
Who Needs an Aid Station when you can Pick Berries!
The race begins at 8 a.m. at the base of Gondola One in Vail Village, testing runners of all abilities on both singletrack and doubletrack terrain over 4.6 miles of uphill running with an average grade of 14 percent. The race ends at Mid-Vail at the top of Gondola One.
Competitors will ascend Berry Picker Trail and take a sharp left towards the top onto Lower Fireweed and traverse to the east toward Mid-Vail. Competitors will exit Lower Fireweed on to the Mountain Access Road and finish at Mid-Vail.
The Gondola will run from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for spectators to access the finish at Mid-Vail, afterwards it will be closed to the public until 9:30 a.m. when you can purchase a lift pass.
| Time: | Activity: | Location: | Address: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday - August 1, 2025 4:00-6:00p.m. | Pre-Race Bib Pickup | TBD | TBD |
| Saturday - August 2, 2025 6:45-7:45a.m. | Day-of Bib Pickup | Vail Mountain Plaza | Mountain Plaza, 151 Vail Rd Bldg D, Vail, CO 81657 |
| Saturday - August 2, 2025 8:00a.m. | Race Start | Vail Mountain Plaza | Mountain Plaza, 151 Vail Rd Bldg D, Vail, CO 81657 |
| Saturday - August 2, 2025 ~9:30a.m. | Awards & Raffle | Mid-Vail | Mid-Vail, Vail Mountain, Vail, CO 81657 |
Pre-run the course before the signs with Ride W/ GPS! Use the digital map to follow to route and stay on course!
Physical maps are available at the race.
| Distance | 4.6 miles | 7.4K |
|---|---|
| Elevation Gain | +2,079' | -214' |
| High Point | 10,154' |
| Low Point | 8,279' |
| Aid Station | 2.2 miles |
| Running Surfaces | 100% Unpaved |
| Max Grade | +22.7% | -6.8% |
- The race begins in Vail, next to Gondola One
- Run up Windisch Way (up the service rd. to the east and then turn west and across a bridge)
- Turn right and run down Gitalong Rd.
- Turn left onto Lion Down
- Turn right at the Lion Down split and continue towards Lionshead Village
- Turn left and begin your climb up Berry Picker - This trail is just before the Eagle Bahn Gondola
- Aid Station is 1 mile into the Berry Picker Climb
- Continue climbing Berry Picker for another 1.5 miles
- Turn left onto Lower Fireweed
- Turn left onto Eagle's Nest Road and the finish is moments away!
Water will be available at all aid stations to quench your thirst or cool you off!
Thanks to Skratch Labs, there will be Skratch Hydration Sport Drink and Skratch Energy Chews at Aid Stations to give you the electrolytes and energy it needs to finish strong.
The Vail Trail Running Series is a papercup-less race series. Please keep this in mind when preparing for the race. We highly encourage you to bring your own hydration device or reusable cups.
Thanks to Northside Kitchen, there will be donuts and fresh fruit at race finish for you to refuel!
| Berry Picker | |
|---|---|
| Aid Station | Mile 2.2 |
Friday, August 2: Online registration closes at 3 p.m. on Friday. Racers can pick up their race numbers or register ahead of time from 4 to 6 p.m. at West Vail Liquor Mart in West Vail.
Saturday, August 3: Race day bib pickup and registration will be available in front of Vail Mountain Plaza from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m.
- Please park in the Vail Village parking structure. Parking is FREE in the summer!
Spectators: Spectators may pick up a free gondola voucher at the registration table to ride Gondola One to Mid-Vail. The Gondola will ONLY be running from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m., afterwards it will be closed to the public until 9:30am when you can purchase a lift pass. If necessary, please allow runners and race staff to load ahead of you to get to the race start. No dogs allowed on the gondola.
Due to the early morning start we HIGHLY recommend you pick up your bib or register Friday afternoon.
Vail Berry Picker Rates
| Category | Preregistration | Week-of Registration | Day-of Registration* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $40 | $48 | $55 |
| Youth (17 & Younger) | 35% off | 35% off | 35% off |
*Day-of registration is available in person only.
Prices increase on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Register Now!
The 5K Series does not include the Vail HillClimb or Vail Berry Picker. 5K Series Participants will recieve a discount code for these races.
All Vail Berry Picker Trail Race participants must sign and return the Vail Resorts Release of Liability Form to participate in the race. To save you time, you can print the form and bring it with you to bib pickup.
Vail Resorts Release Of Liability FormParking
Please park in the Vail Village Parking Structure. Parking is free during the summer. Carpooling is recommended.
Race Start
The race begins near Vail's Gondola One in Vail Village. Registration will be located near the fountain next to the Coverd Bridge and Vail's Mountain Haus.
Spectators
Spectators may pick up a free gondola voucher at the registration table to ride Gondola One to Mid-Vail. The Gondola will ONLY be running from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m., afterwards it will be closed to the public until 9:30am when you can purchase a lift pass. If necessary, please allow runners and race staff to load ahead of you to get to the race start. No dogs allowed on the gondola.
We can always use a helping hand carrying things to the race finish - Please wait at Gondola One for race staff if you wish to help!
Following the race, awards & prizes will be presented at the race finish!
- Awards: Prizes will be awarded to the top three males and females in the following age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over
Raffle: All racers will be entered into a raffle for great prizes from our sponsors! Racers must be present to win.
T-Shirts: At race finish, make sure to pick up your custom race t-shirt (cotton or tech material)! There is a large selection of sizes for you to chose from once you finish! We alternate t-shirt material each race for the Dynafit Trail Running Series.
Food: Enjoy some delicious donuts & fresh fruit from Northside Kitchen after the race.
Check out Previous Race Results & Photos on the Race Results Webpage.
10K Record
- Men:
- Women:
5K Record
- Men:
- Women:
News Articles
A huge thanks to all of our amazing sponsors for the 2025 Vail Trail Running Series!
The VRD's Vail Trail Running Series is yours thanks to our presenting series sponsors, Town of Minturn, Elevated Dental, East West Hospitality, Howard Head, Capitol Public House and Mountain Haus. Partners also include, FirstBank, Steadman Clinic, Central Rockies Mortgage, Jaunt Media Collective, Yeti, Mountain Time Lager, Skratch Labs, Northside, Lululemon, Optic Nerve, Outdoor Tech, Vail Honeywagon, Vail Resorts, Arrowhead, Best Day Brewing, Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea Co, West Vail Liquor Mart, Kahtoola, Black Diamond, Ciele Athletics and Alpine Wine & Spirits.
