Shortly before the The start of winter in St. Anton am Arlberg also marks the start of registration for what is probably the most spectacular ski race in the Alps: "The White Rush".
Before the lifts finally close in St. Anton am Arlberg on the last day of the season, the starting gun traditionally fires for the iconic ski race "Der Weisse Rausch" (The White Rush). Organized by the St. Anton am Arlberg Tourism Association, its managing director, Martin Ebster, is convinced: "The White Rush is our emotional finale to the winter season – a race that truly captures the spirit of the Arlberg. We are sporty, demanding, and we also like to prioritize fun." With a mass start of up to 555 winter sports enthusiasts, the race delivers the grand season finale in the Arlberg year after year. From the Valluga ridge, the challenging course leads down unprepared slopes into the valley.
The name says it all: On the legendary "Mountain of Pain"—innocently described as a 150-meter-long climb—no thigh escapes unscathed. This section of the course sends every heart rate soaring and is considered the "painful" heart of the race. In total, riders must conquer approximately 1,350 meters of elevation gain over a distance of about 9 kilometers. Average riding times range from 11 to 18 minutes. The course record is still held by Mathias Gorbach with a time of 7 minutes and 9 seconds.
Scoring is based on gender and age groups. Since 2023, there has also been a team competition, with each team consisting of at least three participants, including at least one woman. For young skiers, there is a separate competition, "Der Weisse Rausch Mini," for 11- to 16-year-olds. Since 2025, the "Weisse Rennen" (White Races), last held in 2008, have also been revived. The combined ranking unites the "Weisse Rausch" with the "Weisse Ring," the spectacular race in Lech Zürs am Arlberg. The name of this iconic ski race in the Arlberg region is inspired by the classic 1930s mountain film of the same name, which was filmed in St. Anton. Today, the competition represents authentic skiing, alpine team spirit, and an unparalleled season finale in one of the world's most traditional winter sports resorts.
Registration for „The White Ecstasy“ has been open since December 1, 2025 at www.der-weisse-rausch.at possible.