ULTRA [XL]

In 1991, a couple of hikers found a man frozen into the Similaun glacier. He had been there for roughly 5,300 years, which says something about the conditions up there, and also something about his pacing strategy.

The ULTRA at Schnalstal Alpine Trail follows much of the same ground: the historical Ötziroute connecting South Tyrol to the Tyrolean Ötztal, past the exact site where the Iceman was eventually pulled out of history and into a glass case in Bolzano. Ninety percent trail, two countries, one continuous ridge of the Alps that doesn't much care which passport you're carrying.

The numbers: 58 kilometres, 3,600 metres of climbing, a ceiling at 3,250 metres. From the Tisental, the route pushes through the rough terrain of the Niederjochferner and along sections of the E5, the legendary trans-Alpine crossing that hikers take weeks to complete. You have a day. The course doesn't apologise for this.

Short fixed rope sections appear where the terrain earns them — not for drama, but because that's what the mountain requires at certain points. This is not a race where the difficulty is manufactured. It's a race where the terrain already had a plan long before the course was drawn.

Five aid stations and two water points keep you upright and moving. The rest is on your legs, your judgement, and whatever relationship you've managed to build with altitude before arriving. Altitude training is strongly recommended: not because of fine print, but because at 3,000 metres, the air starts making decisions for you, and it's better to have met it before race day.

The ULTRA doesn't ask whether you're ready. The mountain has been here for considerably longer than the question.

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KEY FACTS

START

Date:
Saturday, August 1, 2026, 4:00 a.m.

Start:
Unser Frau, Schnalstal

Finish:
Unser Frau, Schnalstal

ROUTE

Distance:
58 km

Elevation gain:
3,626 m

ITRA points:
3

CUT-OFF TIMES

Vent:
10 a.m.

Schöne Aussicht:
2 p.m.

Finish:
8:30 p.m.

Time limit:
16,5 hours

THE ROUTE

Distance: 58 KM | Elevation gain: 3626 m+

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RACE DISCOUNT FOR SALTY TRAIL HEAD MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP OVERVIEW

PLEASE NOTE:

The course runs through high alpine terrain, and high alpine terrain occasionally has opinions about the route. Short-notice course changes are possible. Any changes will be communicated before race day, at the race briefing, and via newsletter — so make sure you're on the list and show up on time.

A medical certificate is required to participate. Download it here, fill it in, and upload it during registration. This is not optional.

Race briefing is mandatory for all ULTRA participants. Registration opens Thursday, July 30, 2026, and runs until Friday, July 31, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the start/finish area. Race packs must be collected on-site. Mandatory kit check included.

The race takes place in a protected mountain environment. Waste disposal is only permitted at the designated aid stations, using the bags provided. Bring your own cup. Leave everything else as you found it.

Aid stations are stocked with the best intentions and a realistic understanding of mountain logistics. Individual items may run out. When they do, alternatives will be available. Plan accordingly and don't build a race strategy around the gummy bears at kilometre 37.

ROUTE INFO GPX DOWNLOAD

AID STATION OVERVIEW [ULTRA]

AID STATION 01: SIMILAUNHÜTTE

Distance: 8 km | Elevation gain: 1,512 m | Elevation loss: 8 m

Hydration: Water, BIX Hydration Tabs

Nutrition: BIX Gel 30, Maurten bars, bananas, oranges, melon, apples, cucumber, pickles, tomatoes, pretzels, biscuits, gummy bears, salt

AID STATION 02: MARTIN BUSCH HÜTTE

Distance: 15 km | Elevation gain: 1,744 m | Elevation loss: 750 m

Hydration: Water

Nutrition: —

AID STATION 03: VENT

Distance: 22 km | Elevation gain: 1,753 m | Elevation loss: 1,351 m

Hydration: Water, BIX Hydration Tabs, cola, tea, vegetable broth

Nutrition: BIX Gel 30, Maurten bars, bananas, oranges, melon, apples, cucumber, pickles, tomatoes, salami, cheese, nuts, pretzels, cake, gummy bears, salt

AID STATION 04: HOCHJOCH HOSPIZ

Distance: 30 km | Elevation gain: 2,274 m | Elevation loss: 1,372 m

Hydration: Water

Nutrition: —

AID STATION 05: SCHÖNE AUSSICHT HÜTTE

Distance: 37 km | Elevation gain: 2,843 m | Elevation loss: 1,507 m

Hydration: Water, BIX Hydration Tabs

Nutrition: BIX Gel 30, bananas, oranges, melon, apples, cucumber, pickles, tomatoes, nuts, pretzels, cake, gummy bears, salt

AID STATION 06: KURZRAS

Distance: 47 km | Elevation gain: 3,320 m | Elevation loss: 2,811 m

Hydration: Water, BIX Hydration Tabs, cola, tea, vegetable broth

Nutrition: BIX Gel 30, bananas, oranges, melon, apples, cucumber, pickles, tomatoes, salami, cheese, nuts, pretzels, cake, gummy bears, salt

AID STATION 07: BERGL ALM

Distance: 52 km | Elevation gain: 3,571 m | Elevation loss: 2,862 m

Hydration: Water, BIX Hydration Tabs

Nutrition: BIX Gel 30, bananas, oranges, melon, apples, cucumber, pickles, tomatoes, pretzels, cake, gummy bears, salt

AID STATION 08: FINISH

Distance: 58 km | Elevation gain: 3,626 m | Elevation loss: 3,625 m

Hydration: Water, cola

Nutrition: Bananas, oranges, gummy bears, salt

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

A medical certificate is required to participate. Download it here, fill it in, and upload it during registration. This is not optional.

Equipment check before the start.

CLOTHING

  • Trailrunning shoes with grip sole suitable for alpine terrain
  • Running pack or vest
  • Running kit (moisture-wicking top and bottoms)
  • Waterproof jacket with hood (minimum 10,000 mm waterproof rating)
  • Spare dry long-sleeve layer, carried separately from your base layer — a short-sleeve top with arm warmers also qualifies
  • Long tights, or shorts with leg warmers (carried)
  • Hat or buff and gloves

SAFETY

  • Mobile phone (fully charged) with race office number and emergency number (112) saved
  • Headlamp
  • First aid kit: 2x emergency blanket, 1x compress 10×10 cm, 1x emergency/Israeli bandage, 1x gloves, 4x wound plasters, emergency whistle
  • Bivouac sack
  • ID and health insurance number
  • GPX track saved on GPS watch or mobile phone

NUTRITION

  • Drinking vessel (minimum 1,500 ml — no cups provided at aid stations)
  • Personal nutrition (minimum 500 kcal)

+ RECOMMENDED

  • Poles
  • Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, cap)
  • Shoe spikes/crampons — depending on conditions
  • Mountain rescue insurance

COMPULSORY BAD WEATHER EQUIPMENT

Activated separately when conditions require it.

  • Third (warm) layer
  • Waterproof trousers

No training required. Just show up, make noise, and change someone's race.

SUPPORT & CHEERING ZONES

Here's the thing about trailrunners: they look invincible right up until the moment they absolutely aren't. And that's precisely when they need you.

The SAT Cheering Zone is where the race gets loud. No bib, no training, no problem. Bring a voice, possibly a cowbell, and the kind of energy that makes a completely wrecked person find a gear they didn't know they had.

They've been out there for hours, somewhere above 3,000 metres, having complicated conversations with themselves. You've been here, in the South Tyrolean valley, doing your very important job.

Make some noise. It works. We've checked.

INCLUDED IN PACKAGE

Starter pack including partner gifts

LIVE transponder

Aid station nutrition along the course

Finish line nutrition and drink

Medical support on course and at the finish area

Luggage storage

Finisher medal + Finisher certificate (download)

Route marking + safety by mountain rescue

Aid station nutrition and hydration

At least one extended conversation with yourself, somewhere above 3,000 metres. Duration and topic vary.

Views that temporarily outperform the suffering. No guarantees on ratio.

A finish line feeling that takes three days to physically process and considerably longer to stop talking about.

You know you're going to sign up eventually.

MIGHT AS WELL BE NOW.

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