Registration is open at register.vailrec.com for the Vail Recreation District’s 19th annual Vail Mountain Winter Uphill Race on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 7 a.m. Skiers, snowboarders, and runners will take on the challenge of ascending a 2,200-foot vertical climb along groomed trails to reach the summit of Eagle’s Nest at the top of Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead. The Vail Uphill is ideal for everyone, whether you are going for a new race record, challenging yourself or want to enjoy the climb and breakfast with your friends—all are welcome! This event honors the memory of Vail local Lyndon Ellefson, who was instrumental in starting the U.S. Men’s Mountain Running Program, with some of the entry fees supporting the U.S. Mountain Running Team. For the past nineteen years, the Vail Mountain Winter Uphill has proven to be a challenging midwinter competition for some, and a fun, non-competitive community hike for others. Ellen Miller, along with fellow mountain runner and Vail local Hooker Lowe, started the race in 2008 to spread their passion for mountain running and uphill skiing (skinning) and to pay homage to Ellefson.