17. Jan 2026

Der Weiße Ring - Das Rennen

Save the Date: The next Der Weiße Ring - Das Rennen will take place on January 17, 2026!

The Registration starts on 1 October 2025.

20 years of Der Weiße Ring – an anniversary with a new highlight

2026 is a special year: the Weisser Ring – Das Rennen celebrates its 20th anniversary! For two decades, the race has combined sporting ambition with alpine fascination, attracting hundreds of skiing enthusiasts to Lech Zürs year after year.

To celebrate this milestone, the Gaudirennen will be held for the first time on Friday, 16 January 2026.

This new format is all about fun: creative outfits, original team ideas and a relaxed atmosphere make the fun race a special experience for anyone who wants to see the Weisser Ring from its humorous side. It adds an action-packed component to the main sporting race and invites everyone to join in and have a laugh.

And there's something for all fans to take home:

To mark the anniversary, exclusive merchandise will be available – from stylish hoodies to shirts suitable for everyday wear.

The items can be ordered directly online from 1 October, coinciding with the start of registration. The items are available exclusively by pre-order until 15 November 2025 and can be conveniently picked up from 16 January 2026 at the race number collection point in Lechwelten.

Start bei Der Weiße Ring das Rennen am Rüfikopf

Competitors

General information

The legendary ski race circuit at the Arlberg attracts around 1000 participants

Der Weiße Ring - Das Rennen in Lech Zürs boasts international cult status.
Every year, 1000 ambitious winter sports athletes compete in this thrilling race, every moment of which is closely followed by spectators alongside the course and at the finish line. Meanwhile, locals and guests listen to the race call as skiers of different age groups compete for a spot on the podium.

Schedule Saturday, 17 January 2026

From 8 a.m.: Ascent with the Rüfikopfbahn cable car (the Rüfikopfbahn cable car is only open to race participants, spectators without skis, press, etc.).
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.: Distribution of race numbers (Lechwelten, Dorf 100, 6764 Lech)
From 8:00 a.m.: Instructions for athletes in the start area (Rüfikopf mountain station)
From 9:00 a.m.: Start of the 20th edition of ‘Der Weiße Ring – das Rennen!’ (The White Ring – the Race!) The race will start every 10 seconds with 2 people at a time.
From 9:45 a.m.: First racers arrive at the finish line at Schlegelkopf (start numbers and timing transponders will be collected immediately)
12:00 noon: End of scoring
1:00 p.m.: Award ceremony at Rüfiplatz
Afterwards: Numerous bars and restaurants in Lech Zürs look forward to welcoming you with drinks and menus inspired by ‘Der Weiße Ring – das Rennen’.

For this reason, the ski runs around the White Ring will be partially closed on Saturday:

The Rüfikopfbahn will be closed to the public until around 11:00 a.m.
The slopes from Rüfikopf to Zürs will be closed until around 11:30 a.m.
The Madloch will be closed until around 12:30 p.m.

Not all ski runs in the Trittalp/Hexenboden and Kriegerhorn/Oberlech/Schlegelkopf areas will be open during the race.
Barring any delays, all ski runs will be open again until around 1 p.m.!

Prices

1.10.-12.10.2025 € 99,-
13.10.-16.11.2025 € 119,-
17.11.-31.12.2025 € 139,-
From 01.01.2026 € 169,-

Celebrity racers

Pepi Strobl, Harti Weirather, Tom Stiansen and Patrick Ortlieb have all participated in the legendary ski race in the past. In addition, Andreas Goldberger, Rainer Schönfelder and David Coulthard have also strapped on their skis to experience the Arlberg from its most challenging side.

Team classification prize in honour of visionary Sepp Bildstein

The team competition is dedicated to the founding father of Der Weiße Ring, Sepp Bildstein, whose dream was to install a lift at the Arlberg for skiing. It was his vision that made this winter sports activity possible and under his leadership 15 ropeways were installed in Lech Zürs. So in his honour, the Bildstein Trophy is now the prize for the team that completes the 22 km course the fastest.