Competitors put it all on the line in the final climbing event, then trade rock shoes for ski boots as the athletes vie for $40,000 cash
Published June 29, 2026 01:44PM
The only way to determine the best mountain athlete? Head-to-head competition in the ultimate mountain sports: rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking. That’s why Outside and Toyota Trucks teamed up to launch Ultimate Mountain Athlete, an unprecedented test of skill, endurance, strength, and style.
In the spring, eight elite athletes—four male and four female—gathered in southern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains for Season 2 of the competition. In Episode 2, they are deep in world-famous Uncompahgre Gorge, competing for points in the final series of the rock climbing event. After the climbing competition, the crew transitions to Silverton Mountain for ski mountaineering. This is a high-altitude race on some of the country’s wildest and most technical alpine terrain.
Who will prevail and get closer to being crowned Ultimate Mountain Athlete? Tune in to find out.
