Leki Ještěd Winter SkyRace 2026

Get ready for a run that will change your idea of winter trail running forever. While summer skyrunning can make you sweat buckets, Leki Ještěd Winter SkyRace near Liberec adds ruthless winter conditions to the mix: icy wind, treacherous ice, deep snow, and technical, rocky paths. It’s an absolute classic of Czech mountain running, drawing the elite of runners who aren’t afraid to challenge the freezing giant.

The main arena is the distinctive ridge and the summit itself of Ještěd (1012 m a.s.l.). Competitors usually take on the flagship Winter SkyRace course (about 21–22 km with a brutal elevation gain of around 1200–1350 meters) or the shorter but equally intense Winter Trail version (about 11–12 km, about 700–850 m of elevation gain). The route is a true winter rollercoaster. You’ll face hair-raising descents where every step counts, steep climbs up by ski jumps, and the final, legendary ascent over icy stones right up to the TV tower.

When you cross the finish line with frozen cheeks and collect your unique medal, it’s time for well-earned recovery and warming up. In this respect, Liberec is a true winter paradise:

Recon station at the top of Ještěd: the futuristic 94-meter TV tower covered in ice and snow looks in winter like a scene from a science-fiction movie. After the race, it’s worth going up to the top (by car or cable car) to admire the breathtaking, snow-covered panorama of the Karkonosze and the Jizera Mountains from the warm restaurant here 🗼.

Thermal rescue at Wellness Centrum Babylon: after battling slips, ice, and sharp climbs, your muscles will be in agony. The wellness zone here, styled like ancient Roman baths, is the best place for resuscitation. Saunas, steam baths, and warm-water pools will bring you back to the land of the living instantly 🌊.

A walk through snow-covered Liberec: Visit the main square to admire the monumental Neo-Renaissance town hall, which in winter after dark, with atmospheric lighting, looks like something out of a fairy tale. Hide away in one of the cozy local specialty coffee cafés for a cup of excellent brew and a huge slice of homemade cake 🏛️☕.

A warming Czech feast for a massive hunger: a SkyRace in the cold burns an astronomical number of calories. Drop into a traditional Czech pub and start with a steaming, spicy garlic soup (česnečka) with croutons and stretchy cheese. For your main course, order a hearty gulaš s knedlíkem or crispy fried cheese (smažák) with fries. The whole thing is perfectly rounded off with warming, spiced hot mead (horká medovina) or a mug of local Konrad beer straight from Liberec 🍲🍻.

Pack shoes with an aggressive tread, be sure to bring running microspikes, thermal base layers, and test your limits against freezing skyrunning during Winter SkyRace!