Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB 2026: Complete Race & Visitor Guide

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB 2026 returns to the Snowy Mountains from 26–28 November 2026, bringing runners together for four trail races across the region’s alpine landscapes. With event activities spanning Jindabyne, Perisher and Thredbo, planning where to stay and how to get around is an important part of race weekend.

Whether you’re running, supporting a participant or coming to watch, this guide covers the essential information you need to plan your visit, from key race details and locations to transport, accommodation and practical race-weekend tips.

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB 2026 at a Glance

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB 2026 features four race distances, from the 32 km Kosci30 to the 161 km KosciMiler. The races start from either Perisher or Jindabyne, with all four finishing at Friday Flat in Thredbo.

Race	Distance	Elevation Gain	Start	Finish	Race Date
Kosci30	32 km	670 m+	Perisher	Friday Flat, Thredbo	26 November 2026
Kosci50	50 km	1,400 m+	Perisher	Friday Flat, Thredbo	26 November 2026
Kosci100	106 km	3,260 m+	Perisher	Friday Flat, Thredbo	27 November 2026
KosciMiler	161 km	5,131 m+	Banjo Paterson Park, Jindabyne	Friday Flat, Thredbo	27 November 2026

Race schedules, course details and event arrangements may change, so check the official Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB information before travelling.

What Is Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB?

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB is a trail-running event held in the Snowy Mountains, NSW, as part of the UTMB World Series. Its four races range from around 30 km to 100 miles, taking runners through alpine and High Country environments. The event welcomes experienced ultra runners as well as those tackling shorter trail distances, while also bringing support crews, families and spectators to the region for race weekend.

Which Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko Race Are You Attending?

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB 2026 offers four race distances, each with a different course length, elevation gain and race schedule. Your chosen event also affects where your race begins, making it important to consider transport, accommodation and support-crew arrangements before arriving in the Snowy Mountains.

1. Kosci30

The Kosci30 covers 32 km with approximately 670 m of elevation gain. Scheduled for Thursday 26 November, the race starts at Perisher and finishes at Friday Flat in Thredbo. It is the shortest event in the 2026 program, but runners should still prepare for a mountain trail race and the changing conditions that can come with the alpine environment.

2. Kosci50

Also taking place on Thursday 26 November, the Kosci50 extends the challenge to 50 km with approximately 1,400 m of elevation gain. Runners start at Perisher before making their way to the finish at Friday Flat in Thredbo. The additional distance and elevation make planning race-day transport, equipment and post-race arrangements particularly important.

3. Kosci100

The Kosci100 is a 106 km race with approximately 3,260 m of elevation gain, starting at Perisher on Friday 27 November and finishing at Friday Flat in Thredbo. With runners potentially spending many hours on the course, it is worth planning accommodation, transport and support-crew arrangements well ahead of race day, including where everyone will meet after the finish.

4. KosciMiler

At 161 km with approximately 5,131 m of elevation gain, the KosciMiler is the longest race at Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 2026. It starts at Banjo Paterson Park in Jindabyne on Friday 27 November before finishing at Friday Flat in Thredbo. Unlike the other three races, its Jindabyne start makes the town an important consideration when planning pre-race accommodation and transport.

Where Should You Stay for Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 2026?

There isn’t one accommodation location that works equally well for every runner. The right base depends on your race distance, start location, finish-day plans and whether you’re travelling with a support crew. Thredbo offers the advantage of staying near the finish, while Jindabyne can be convenient for pre-race activities and the KosciMiler start. Your group size, length of stay and preference for village access or a larger regional base should also guide your choice.

Staying in Thredbo

With all four races finishing at Friday Flat, Thredbo accommodation is a practical choice for runners who want to minimise travel after crossing the finish line and spectators planning to spend time around the finish area. Discover Snowy Mountains offers whole-home stays around Thredbo, including Powder 2, Powder 2B, Aspen Creek 5, Blues Air 3 and Mitta Mitta, with locations convenient for accessing Friday Flat and the village. This can make post-race logistics simpler, especially after the longer-distance events.

Staying in Jindabyne

Jindabyne accommodation can work particularly well for KosciMiler runners, as the race starts at Banjo Paterson Park, while event check-in and expo activities are also based in town. Jindabyne also provides easy access to supermarkets, dining and other services for runners and support crews. Discover Snowy Mountains offers options for different group sizes in Jindabyne, including Avonside Alpine Estate 2, a two-bedroom stay for up to four guests, as well as larger multi-bedroom options such as Rawson St 7 for groups travelling together.

How Many Nights Should You Stay for Race Weekend?

Rather than arriving the night before your race, consider building some extra time into your Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko stay. How many nights you need will depend on your race distance, travel plans and support arrangements, but arriving earlier and allowing time after the event can make race weekend easier to manage.

Arrive in time for race check-in and other required pre-race activities.
Organise mandatory gear and race equipment without rushing.
Shop for familiar food, snacks and race nutrition.
Confirm transport and become familiar with start and finish arrangements.
Avoid a long drive immediately before your race.
Allow time to rest and recover before travelling home.
Give family or support crews a comfortable base throughout the event.

Booking a longer stay can be particularly useful for ultra-distance runners and groups travelling from outside the Snowy Mountains.

Explore more: Snowy Mountains Travel Guide: How to Plan Your Perfect Trip

What Should Support Crews and Spectators Know?

Support crews, family and spectators can be an important part of race weekend, but access varies across the course. With all four races finishing at Friday Flat in Thredbo, it is worth planning where to watch, how to get around and where to meet your runner after they finish.

Check official spectator locations and crew-access rules before race day.
Do not assume every aid station or section of the course is publicly accessible.
Plan travel between Jindabyne, Perisher and Thredbo in advance.
Allow for long waiting periods, particularly during the Kosci100 and KosciMiler.
Bring water, food, weather-appropriate layers and sun protection.
Follow runner progress using official tracking where available.
Use estimated finish windows rather than relying on an exact arrival time.
Agree on a clear meeting point at Friday Flat after the race.

Always check the latest event information for spectator access and race-day changes.

What Weather Can You Expect in the Snowy Mountains in November?

Late November is approaching summer in the Snowy Mountains, but alpine weather can still change quickly. Conditions can vary with elevation and time of day, with warmer daytime temperatures giving way to cooler mornings and evenings. Strong sun and UV exposure are also important considerations at higher elevations, while rain, wind and sudden colder conditions remain possible. Runners, support crews and spectators should come prepared with sun protection, warm layers and wet-weather clothing, and check the latest local forecast as race weekend approaches.

Explore more: Snowy Mountains Weather Guide: What to Expect Each Season

What to Pack for Your Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko Stay

Packing for Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko should cover more than your race equipment. With changing alpine conditions and potentially long days for runners and support crews, it helps to prepare for the entire stay. This list is a general visitor guide and does not replace the event’s official mandatory gear requirements.

For runners:

Prepare all mandatory race gear in advance and check each item against the official requirements for your distance.
Bring suitable trail-running shoes that you have already trained in rather than relying on new footwear for race day.
Pack your preferred race nutrition and hydration supplies, particularly if you use specific products or flavours.
Bring warm layers and weatherproof clothing suitable for changing alpine conditions.
Pack comfortable recovery clothing and spare footwear for after the race.
Bring chargers or power banks for your phone, watch, headlamp and other electronic equipment.
Organise your race equipment before leaving your accommodation so you have time to identify anything missing.

For support crews and spectators:

Pack warm and weatherproof clothing, as conditions can change throughout a long day outdoors.
Carry enough water and snacks, particularly if you expect to spend several hours waiting for your runner.
Bring sun protection, including sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking around designated spectator areas.
Carry a portable charger to keep phones powered for runner tracking and communication.

For your accommodation:

If travelling with a support crew or other runners, consider a whole-home stay with enough kitchen, living and sleeping space for the group.
Check practical property features such as parking, laundry facilities and kitchen amenities when comparing accommodation.
Book your Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko accommodation early, particularly if you want to stay in Thredbo or Jindabyne or need a larger property for a group.

Why Whole-Home Accommodation Works Well for Race Weekend

A whole-home stay gives runners and support crews the space and flexibility of a private property while still benefiting from the attentive service you would expect from a hotel. Discover Snowy Mountains combines hotel-level guest support with the privacy of a complete home, offering accommodation across Thredbo and Jindabyne where runners can prepare meals, organise race gear, rest and recover comfortably throughout Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko weekend.

Fully equipped kitchens for preparing familiar pre-race meals and post-race food.
Fridge space for hydration, nutrition and other race supplies.
Living areas where runners and support crews can relax between event activities.
Separate bedrooms in larger properties for groups travelling together.
Laundry facilities were listed for washing running and outdoor clothing.
Parking available at selected properties.
Space to organise race gear before heading to the start.
A private, comfortable base for resting and recovering after the finish

Planning your Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 2026 stay? Explore Discover Snowy Mountains accommodation in Thredbo and Jindabyne, compare properties for your group size and race-weekend needs, and book early to secure a convenient base for your Snowy Mountains visit.