The Broken Arrow Skyrace (Palisades Tahoe)
Broken Arrow Skyrace 46K
Olympic Valley, CA (Palisades Tahoe Village)
Race guide
Updated 29 June 2026
The Broken Arrow Skyrace 46K is one of North America's premier skyrunning events, set entirely within the dramatic alpine terrain of Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, California. Covering 46 km with 2,095 m of vertical gain and a high point of 2,652 m, the course is a relentless mix of technical ridgeline running, exposed scrambling, and steep ski-resort trails that demand both fitness and mountain competence. Starting and finishing at Palisades Tahoe Village at 1,892 m, the race takes runners on two distinct loops into the high alpine, passing through High Camp twice and topping out near Washeshu Peak before returning for a punishing second push into the backcountry via Shirley Canyon. This is not a flat road race with a scenic backdrop — it is a genuine skyrace where the terrain dictates your pace from the very first kilometer.
Course & Terrain Overview
The 46K course is structured as two alpine loops departing from and returning to Palisades Tahoe Village. The first loop climbs 8 km to High Camp at 2,263 m before pushing higher to the Stairway to Heaven section and Washeshu Peak at 14 km and 2,539 m — the course's highest and most technical stretch. Runners then descend back to the Village at 23 km, passing through the mid-race crew access point. The second loop heads up Shirley Canyon to the Solitude checkpoint at 31 km and 2,272 m, before grinding back up to High Camp for a second time at 38 km and 2,441 m, then dropping back to the finish at the Village. Underfoot, expect a mix of ski resort service roads, rocky singletrack, boulder fields, and sections requiring hands-on scrambling near the ridgeline. Trail surfaces change quickly, so versatile footwear with solid grip and some rock protection is essential.
Decisive Climbs and Where the Race Is Won or Lost
The race has two genuine crux sections. The first is the climb from the Village to Washeshu Peak in the opening 14 km — a sustained 647 m of gain that includes the notorious Stairway to Heaven, a steep, exposed ridgeline scramble that requires careful foot placement and can create traffic early in the race. This section separates runners who have trained on technical alpine terrain from those who haven't. The second decisive moment comes on the back half: the climb from Shirley Canyon through Solitude and back up to High Camp 2, a grinding 530 m of gain between km 31 and km 38 when legs are already deeply fatigued. Anyone who goes out too hard on the first loop will be reduced to a walk here. Both descents — off Washeshu back to the Village and from High Camp 2 to the finish — are technical and steep enough to punish quads that haven't been trained for downhill running at altitude.
Pacing & Strategy
The mid-race cut-off at the Village (23 km) is set at Saturday 13:00, and High Camp 2 (38 km) must be reached by 16:30, with a final finish cut-off of 19:00. These windows are achievable for well-prepared runners, but the elevation and terrain mean pace-per-kilometer targets from flat races are meaningless here — plan by effort and vertical rate instead. The smartest approach is to treat the first loop as controlled, hiking the steep pitches rather than running them, and banking energy for the second half. The return to the Village at 23 km is the key decision point: if you arrive feeling strong, you have the legs to push on; if you're already cooked, the remaining 23 km with another 1,100-plus meters of climbing will be brutal. Use the Village crew access point strategically — change socks if needed, refresh calories, and do a quick kit check before heading back into the mountains.
Fueling & Hydration
With checkpoints at roughly 8 km, 14 km, 23 km, 31 km, and 38 km, aid station spacing is reasonable but some gaps — particularly between km 14 and km 23 — cover significant technical terrain where moving slowly means extended time between resupply. Carry enough food and fluid to cover at least 90 minutes of effort between stations. At altitude above 2,400 m, appetite suppression is common, so practice eating on the move during training. The crew-accessible Village stop at 23 km is your primary opportunity for a significant resupply; use it to take on real food, a fresh bottle, and anything your crew has prepared. Given the Sierra Nevada summer climate, race day can bring intense midday sun, afternoon thunderstorms, or both — stay on top of electrolytes, and don't mistake the cool morning air for permission to underhydrate.
Conditions to Expect
Palisades Tahoe sits in the Sierra Nevada at elevations between 1,892 m and 2,652 m, and the Broken Arrow Skyrace typically takes place in early summer when snowfields can still linger on north-facing slopes near Washeshu Peak and High Camp. Mornings are often cool and clear, but conditions at the high point can shift rapidly — wind, cold, and afternoon convective storms are all genuine possibilities. A lightweight wind shell or softshell is strongly recommended even if the start looks sunny. Sun exposure on the open ridgeline sections is intense at this elevation, so sunscreen and sunglasses are not optional. Runners should be comfortable navigating exposed, rocky terrain and prepared for short sections of snow travel if conditions dictate. Check race-specific mandatory kit requirements and pre-race briefings for any gear updates based on current snowpack.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 1892 m · —
4.3 km · 1997 m · —
14.2 km · 2527 m · —
18.9 km · 2303 m · —
23 km · 1902 m · —
27.3 km · 1998 m · —
37.2 km · 2541 m · —
41.9 km · 2321 m · —
45.3 km · 1991 m · Sat 19:00
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