Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB returns to the Snowy Mountains from 26 to 28 November 2026, sending runners across four distances between Perisher, Jindabyne and Thredbo. If you’re searching for a way in, every distance is already sold out for this year.
That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to plan for. Runners who are locked in a spot, support crews mapping out race weekend, and spectators chasing a good vantage point all need a clear picture of the courses, the logistics between towns, and somewhere to stay that actually works for where the race takes them. This guide covers all three.
Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 2026 Overview
Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 2026, held by UTMB, runs from 26 to 28 November, with courses crossing Perisher, Jindabyne and Thredbo inside Kosciuszko National Park. Full race details sit on the event’s official site. This is a three-day trail running festival built around four distances, all finishing in the same place. This is the race’s third spring in the Snowy Mountains, and it’s grown into one of the region’s bigger spring dates.
Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 2026 offers four distances, from a 32km taster run to a 161km mile race, and all four finish at Friday Flat in Thredbo.
| Race | Distance | Elevation gain | Start | 2026 price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kosci30 | 32km | 670m+ | Perisher, Thu 26 Nov, 10:00 am | $280 AUD (sold out) |
| Kosci50 | 50km | 1,400m+ | Perisher, Thu 26 Nov, 07:00 am | $435 AUD (sold out) |
| Kosci100 | 106km | 3,260m+ | Perisher, Fri 27 Nov, 07:30 am | $600 AUD (sold out) |
| KosciMiler | 161km | 5,131m+ | Jindabyne, Fri 27 Nov, 3:00 am | $1,030 AUD (sold out) |
Source: Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko entry information, 2026
Three of the four courses start at Perisher, while the KosciMiler is the exception. It sets off from Jindabyne at 3:00 am, traces the edge of Lake Jindabyne, then climbs into the high country.
The Kosci100 is the one to watch for scenery. It’s the only distance besides the Miler that takes runners to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko, the highest point on the Australian mainland, before dropping back through Guthega and Smiggin Holes to Thredbo.
If you’d rather see that same summit on foot without racing it, our guide to the Mt Kosciuszko summit walk covers the chairlift-assisted route.
Getting to the Start and Finish Lines
Race weekend spans three towns, so plan your driving around whichever start or finish matters to you.
- Perisher (Kosci30, Kosci50 and Kosci100 start here): Access is via Bullocks Flat. Perisher’s own travel advice is to allow around 40 minutes from Jindabyne. The time could be more on event weekends when traffic builds.
- Jindabyne (KosciMiler starts here): Runners set off from Banjo Paterson Park at 3:00 am, right in the middle of town.
- Thredbo (every distance finishes here): Friday Flat is about 30 minutes’ drive from Jindabyne, according to Thredbo Resort.
- Kosciuszko National Park entry: Anyone driving into the park needs a valid vehicle pass, spectators included. Fees vary by season, so check current day and multi-day pricing on the NSW National Parks site before you travel.
Where to Stay for Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 2026
Where you stay depends on what matters most that weekend, like being trackside at the finish, close to race-morning logistics, or somewhere quiet in between. Note that Thredbo books out fastest, so decide early.
Jindabyne: Best for race-morning logistics
Jindabyne is where the event actually starts for most people, since bib collection for all four distances happens at Jindabyne Memorial Hall and the KosciMiler sets off from Banjo Paterson Park at 3:00 am.
- Staying here means no early-morning drive before the earliest starts.
- It’s the most central of the three towns, with shops, cafes and restaurants open through the days either side of race weekend.
- Our holiday homes in Jindabyne are a short walk from the town centre, handy if you’re going back and forth to the Memorial Hall.
Lake Crackenback: A quieter base between the two
Lake Crackenback sits roughly halfway between the Perisher access point and Thredbo, which suits support crews trying to be in two places in one morning.
- It’s about 15 minutes to Thredbo Village and just a few minutes to the Bullocks Flat access point for Perisher.
- It’s a quieter option than Jindabyne on race weekend, when the Memorial Hall precinct gets busy with check-ins and bag drops.
- Our Lake Crackenback accommodation works well for a crew who’d rather not deal with event-weekend traffic in town.
Thredbo: Best for the finish line and recovery
Every one of the four distances finishes at Friday Flat in Thredbo, which makes it the obvious base if watching a finish is the priority.
- You can walk to the finish line instead of driving, useful if you’re tracking a runner across an afternoon and evening rather than a single moment.
- A self-contained place gives a runner somewhere to shower, eat and recover after 30-plus hours on the KosciMiler course, without the limits of a single hotel room.
Tips for Spectators and Support Crews
A few practical details make race weekend easier if you’re not the one running.
- Book accommodation now, not closer to November. Properties across all three towns have already flagged rooms filling for race weekend.
- Pack for changeable spring weather. Late November in the high country can swing from warm sun to cold wind and rain within a few hours, even around the Kosci30 start time.
- Some checkpoints have limited access. Guthega Base Camp, for example, has limited parking, so arrive early if you’re planning to watch runners pass through.
- Carry your Kosciuszko National Park vehicle pass if you’re driving to any checkpoint, not just the main start and finish towns.
Conclusion
Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 2026 is really a three-town event. Runners start at Perisher or Jindabyne, finish at Thredbo, and support crews spend the weekend moving between all three. Which town suits you best comes down to what you’re actually doing that weekend: watching a finish, following race-morning logistics, or keeping a quiet base between the two.
Whichever fits, book direct and book early. Browse our available properties in Jindabyne, Thredbo and Lake Crackenback at alpinecountryholidays.com.au and lock in the best rate before the town you want fills up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still enter Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 2026?
No. All four distances are officially sold out for 2026, according to the event’s own entry page, and there’s no public waitlist listed for this year. If you missed out, the practical options are to attend as a spectator or support crew instead, or keep an eye on the official event site for when 2027 entries open.
Where’s the best place to stay to watch or support a runner?
It depends on what you’re doing. Thredbo suits anyone focused on the finish line, since every distance ends at Friday Flat. Jindabyne works best if you need to be near race-morning check-in or the KosciMiler start. Lake Crackenback sits roughly between Perisher and Thredbo, which suits support crews trying to cover both in one morning.
Do I need a park pass to drive into Kosciuszko National Park for the race?
Yes. Anyone driving into Kosciuszko National Park needs a valid vehicle pass, including spectators and support crews, not just entrants. Fees vary by season, so check current day and multi-day pricing on the NSW National Parks website before you travel, rather than relying on last year’s figures.
How hard is the Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko course?
It depends on the distance. The Kosci30 is built as an entry point to trail running, with modest elevation gain and a fairly flowing route. The KosciMiler is a different proposition entirely: 161km and over 5,000m of climbing, run through the same alpine terrain the shorter races only sample.
