Imagine standing on a jagged alpine peak with a maxed-out heart rate, staring into a brutal headwind, and knowing you still have 4,000 vertical meters of climbing left before the sun drops. That is not just a heavy day in the backcountry. That is every single morning for two weeks straight in the Red Bull X-Alps.
Known as the world’s toughest adventure race, this cross-Alps battle forces 35 world-class athletes to move across Europe’s most forbidding mountain range using only their legs and a paraglider. The application window for the 2027 edition is open right now on redbullxalps.com through August 31, 2026.
The Ultimate Alpine Battle Ground
From June 13 to 25, 2027, the selected roster will tackle over 1,000 kilometers (~620 miles) of terrain. Competitors run through valley floors, haul heavy packs up technical ridgelines, and launch off high-altitude faces into turbulent thermal winds.
Earning a Ticket to the Start Line
Getting onto the roster is just as demanding as the terrain itself. Every applicant undergoes rigorous evaluation by the Race Committee to ensure they can navigate extreme conditions safely.
“Our goal is to create a highly competitive and internationally diverse field of participants,” explains Race Director Ferdinand Vogel.
Selection is open to both male and female athletes worldwide. While 33 total spots remain open, two tickets have already been claimed. Swiss athletes Romy Sweda and Aaron Mathis recently won their wildcards at the inaugural Red Bull X-Alps Challenger event in Mayrhofen, proving the next generation is already operating at an elite level.
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Photo: Sebastian Marko / Red Bull Content Pool Writing the Next Chapter
The 2027 race follows a historic shift in the sport. During the 2025 edition, Italian powerhouse Aaron Durogati captured victory, snapping Christian “Chrigel” Maurer’s incredible streak of eight straight titles. The throne is open, and the search for the next conqueror of the Alps has begun.
If you have the mountain endurance, elite wing control, and tactical grit to tackle this beast, submit your credentials before August 31, 2026. The final lineup will be announced on October 14, 2026.
Marlee KnightContent & Event Coordinator
Marlee Knight is a Content and Event Coordinator at Teton Gravity Research, helping support film premieres, events, and the stories that bring the action sports community together. When she’s not working, she’s usually outside — snowboarding, backpacking, or out with a camera.