Ponderosa Polar Challenge 2026

The Ponderosa Polar Challenge is a weekend endurance race at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, near Zion National Park, offering distances from a 5K to 150 miles. It takes place the first full weekend in November at approximately 6,500 feet elevation. Expect cold nights near 32 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime temperatures around 60. All distances share a 52-hour time limit, accommodating walkers, novice trail runners, marathoners, and ultrarunners aiming for 100 miles or more. The course consists of 1-mile, 3-mile, and 5-mile loops. Runners may select either direction to achieve their distance or time objective. The event also features 12-hour and 24-hour races, alongside standard distances from 10K up to 100K. Registration provides a campsite, access to restrooms and showers, breakfast on the first day, and aid station provisions throughout the race; participants in longer distances receive additional meals. All finishers get medals. Runners completing a half marathon or longer receive handmade mugs, and those finishing 100 miles or more earn a belt buckle. The resort setting creates a unique race-camp atmosphere, complete with a hot tub, pickleball, basketball, and tennis courts, plus discounted cabin upgrades for those preferring a bed over a campsite.