An amateur race to ski or snowboard 26 resorts across four countries in North America and Europe, clocking up thousands of miles in a bid to win an international lift pass for life, is well under way.

The Epic Race, organised by Vail Resorts and started on November 22, has already seen 44 competitors tick off all 12 resorts in America. They now have to travel to Europe to visit resorts in France, Switzerland and Austria if they are to be in with a chance of winning a lifetime Epic Pass, a lift pass that covers all the resorts in the race.

Competitors prove they have “completed” each resort by submitting a number of photos and videos on the mountain on the day of their visit, obtaining lift operator stamps and lift pass scans. The first 10 racers to log the full raft of resorts, which includes Vail in Colorado, Heavenly at Lake Tahoe, Verbier in Switzerland and St Anton in Austria, will receive an Epic Pass for life.

“The passion of the participants is staggering, but the camaraderie that has developed amongst many of the contestants is a testament to the worldwide community of skiers and snowboarders,” said Vail Resorts’ chief marketing officer, Kirsten Lynch. “We’re seeing racers enjoying one another’s company on the slopes and cooperating to help each other. A group even had Thanksgiving dinner together in Tahoe.”