December 1-25, 2023
Race Packets will start shipping the first week of December after registration closes in the order of signups.
Oh come all ye faithful and join our Ram Fam this holiday for the 4th annual 25-day vertical challenge: Merry Vertmas!
Participants step up starting December 1! The objective is to rack up vertical feet as we count down to Christmas day!
Choose between two categories:
- Vert Is Real (Outdoors only - no treadmills permitted)
- Virtual Vertmas (Can be a mix of outdoor and treadmill)
Both categories offer participants an opportunity to push themselves this holiday and stay motivated while also staying connected! Track your progress and see how you measure up on our Vertmas Leaderboard on Run Signup.
Plus, for those looking for a little holiday cheer this time of year, come play the "RamDeer Games!" Unwrap more vertical gain by playing these virtual games and challenges! Every week we will reveal an additional goal or contest. Participants have the entire week to complete the goal to win cool prizes such as Run Steep Merch, race credits, and more from our partners!
Get into the holiday spirit and step up this December for a steep life holiday special! Read more below or click the register button above to sign up today!
Choose Your Holiday Hustle
Participants customize their Vertmas experience by registering for one of our two Vertmas categories (called "teams" in Run Signup) below. Participants can complete their challenge on a course of their own design or on a treadmill and at a time that best fits their schedule. Track your progress on your Run Signup profile as you level up each day! Compare your results on the Vertmas leader board, and earn additional badges you can post online by completing our weekly challenges!
Vert Is Real
Outdoor Only: no treadmill: If you prefer to rise and grind, chart a course on your favorite mountain trail, or commit to hill repeats in your own backyard, then you believe Vert is all around us. Vert is Real is for those who prefer their holiday adventure off the treadmill!
Virtual Vert
Mixed: Outdoor & Treadmill: Ready to max out your incline? If the weather outside is frightful, climbing indoors can be...well still frightful but at least it's temp controlled! Virtual Vert mixes both indoor and outdoor gain. How will you mix it up this season?
Level Up & Sleigh
Sleigh all day and keep climbing toward the next level! Participants have 25 days to get as much vertical gain as they can. Keep track of your vert on our Vertmas Leaderboard and earn badges as you reach each level! How far will you go?
RamDeer Games
Welcome to the RamDeer Games! We've ramped up the frequency and number of challenges for the 2023 edition! A Huge shoutout to our partners for making these possible!
Squirrel's Climb-A-Day
'Tis the season to get our vert on! Our first challenge will be simply logging an activity each of the first 5 days of the event.
To enter, be sure to fill out the form above! All entrants who complete a run on each the first 5 days will be entered into a raffle for Squirrel's Nut Butter gift cards!
Summit Selfie Scrambler
This is your chance to post your best summit selfie! Snap a selfie atop any mountain summit or high point with a story or description of your adventure in getting there.
We will select one of these as the most epic / compelling selfie, while all other participants will be entered into a raffle. The winner of both the contest and the raffle will receive some sweet Goodr sunglasses!
Max Vertical
It's time for the big push! This challenge is simple: Get the most vertical gain possible on one day between December 8th and 10th.
The person with the most vertical gain in a single day will be declared the challenge champion, while all other participants will be entered into a raffle for participating.
Winners will receive gift cards to the new Run Steep Get High performance apparel store.
RamDeer Repeats
Pick your own “climbing” segment in your home neighborhood, park or trail system and hit it as many times as you can over the three day stretch. You choose the length and vertical gain of your segment (minimum 100 feet in vertical gain) and complete as many as you can!
The participants with the most number of repeats and the participant with the most vertical gain on that single segment will receive a gift card. All other participants will be entered into a raffle for an additional prize pack.
Holiday Arts & Lights
This is a two part challenge that can be completed in a single run! We want you to take a tour of your neighborhood and find the biggest and brightest holiday decorations BUT we want you to do it in an unconventional way. Make your GPS route into art!
We want you to be as creative as possible while searching for the house with the most holiday spirit.
The participant with most creative Strava route and participant with the best photo of the house with craziest holiday set-up will each receive $100 in Aravaipa Race Credit.
Spreading Holiday Cheer
For this week's challenge, all you have to do is deliver a wrapped gift to a friend, family member, or even complete stranger. Take a photo of your gift on your run and send to us via the form above.
The person who runs the most vertical gain on their way to spread holiday cheer will receive a pair of Hoka shoes. All others who participate will be entered into a raffle winner for a pair as well.
Costume Carnival
Celebrate the holiday spirit with costumed run and strut your stuff. Send us a photo or video of your in costume (bonus points if it's taken during your run). We’ll select some of our favorites to receive a Gu prize pack!
Santa Shakeout
Alas, Vertmas has come to an end. Let's celebrate with those closest to us. For this challenge we want you to get out with friends and family. No minimum vert or distance, simply spend some quality time outdoors with those who are important to you.
Send us your group photo above! The participant with the largest group will receive an Aravaipa gift card as well as all participants will be entered into a raffle!
Sugar & Spice
All participants in celebrating Merry Vertmas this December will receive a race packet via mail. Runners will receive a long sleeve tri-blend race shirt, a die cut sticker, and a handcrafted wooden medal designed by Aravaipa Artworx.
Optional upgrades for purchase include a wooden belt buckle for achieving 29,032 feet of vertical gain (or more). Registration includes all domestic shipping fees. Additional fees and time for international shipping. Packets will ship starting December 15th.
2023 Race Medal
Race Sticker
Men's 2023 Perfect Tri-Blend
Long Sleeve Race Tee
Women's 2023 Perfect Tri-Blend
Long Sleeve Tunic Tee
Pricing
Item | Price |
Vertmas Challenge | $65* |
Vertmas Buckle: Everest 29,032 | $25 |
RSGH Performance Crew Socks | $12 |
RSGH Performance Quarter Socks | $10 |
Vert is Real Trucker | $22 |
Merry Vertmas Headwrap | $12 |
Extra Sticker | $3 |
*Includes domestic shipping |
Steep Life Stocking Stuffers
Add any of these to your cart upon registration. Please Note: Trucker Hats are very limited quantities and only available while supplies last.