The historically low snowpack across the western U.S. is already affecting spring and summer recreation. On April 30, the GoPro Mountain Games announced changes to its event schedule and locations due to expected low water levels. The games are outright canceling four water competitions and are moving the remaining five to other areas of the state.
“Contingency planning is part of every Mountain Games, as water levels fluctuate from year to year, which is why our team has spent the last several months monitoring conditions and working to find solutions,” Peggy Wolfe, senior director of operations for the Vail Valley Foundation, which organizes the GoPro Mountain Games, said in a statement. “We’re now putting that plan into action to ensure athletes and spectators have a safe and memorable experience.”
The GoPro Mountain Games are scheduled for June 4–7. Canceled events include the Gore IV Kayak Challenge, Gore IV Raft Challenge, Kayak Cross, and Raft Cross. All athletes who were already registered for those events will receive automatic refunds, according to the GoPro Mountain Games.
All remaining water events, including the Kayak Freestyle, Down River Kayak Sprint, Down River R2 Raft Sprint, Down River SUP Sprint, and Catch Wars, are being relocated. Land-based events such as climbing, biking, running, and dog competitions will all still be held in Vail Village, in Colorado.
“We’re confident in the plan we’ve put together,” Wolfe said. “We can’t wait to see everyone in June.”
GoPro Mountain Games: Relocating Select Kayak & Raft Events
One of the most-watched events of the games, the Pacifico Kayak Freestyle, is normally held in the heart of Vail on Gore Creek. This year, however, it’s being relocated to the Glenwood Whitewater Activity Area, roughly an hour west of Vail. This event, normally a showcase of big air and impressive kayak moves, will be split over 2 days. The qualifiers and semifinals will be held on Friday, June 5, and the finals will take place on Saturday, June 6.
Fans back in Vail will still be able to watch the Kayak Freestyle action on the Lucid big screen at the kayak hole where the event is normally hosted.
Relocating to a section of the Upper Colorado River near Bond, Colo., are the GoPro Down River Kayak Sprint, Pacifico Down River R2 Raft Sprint, and Slifer Smith & Frampton Down River SUP Sprint. These three races will be held between the Pumphouse and Radium recreation areas. The GoPro Mountain Games note that all of these events will still take place on Saturday, June 6, with new start times.
The Yeti Catch Wars is likewise moving to the Upper Colorado River and is scheduled for June 5.
“The Mountain Games has always delivered an incredible celebration of adventure sports, music, art, and mountain lifestyle, and this year is no different,” Dave Dressman, event director for the GoPro Mountain Games, said. “We are so appreciative of our athletes and spectators rolling with us on this, and we have a jam-packed 4-day festival planned where there is truly something for everyone.”
If you’re a participating athlete and can’t make it to your event’s new venue, you can request a refund by emailing [email protected] by Friday, May 15.
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