KELLOGG — For the fifth straight year, Silver Mountain will host one of the area’s most intense and exciting events as the Silver Kings Hard Enduro returns this weekend as the third stop on the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Hard Enduro World Championship.

“Silver Kings Hard Enduro, considered to be the best hard enduro motorcycle race in the United States and top three in the world, returns to Silver Mountain Resort this week,” Silver Mountain marketing manager Gus Colburn said. “Moto riders from around the world are arriving in Kellogg to conquer the peaks and slopes of the ski area.” 

Simply put, the best riders in the world are back in Kellogg. 

For those unfamiliar, hard enduro racing can be difficult to define. 

According to FIM, the discipline blends the most extreme elements of off-road motorcycle racing, including high speeds, long distances, technical skill, obstacles, jumps, fast lines and navigation challenges. 

Over the years, the event has grown significantly, drawing hundreds of riders and thousands of spectators. Organizers expect 2026 to mark the largest Silver Kings yet. 

One key to the event’s success has been its accessibility for fans. 

“Silver Kings is an extremely spectator-friendly event,” Colburn said. “The racers leave us in awe every year from what they can do on their bikes, it's truly a feat of physicality. The Silver Kings crew puts in so much time to make this course unique. We want to make sure as many people can witness it as possible." 

As in years past, the event begins Wednesday night with a parade through Kellogg and Wardner featuring all registered racers. 

Events shift into full gear Thursday with the Silver Kings Prologue, a “fun-duro” style obstacle course held in the Silver Mountain parking lot. Designed for riders of all ages and skill levels, the prologue also determines the starting order for Friday’s on-mountain races. 

The Silver Kings Village will feature dozens of vendors offering everything from apparel to specialty bike parts. 

Race organizer James Stearns said Silver Mountain’s terrain initially made it an ideal location, but the ability to modify the course has elevated the event further. 

“This isn’t a man against man or man against machine sport, it’s man against the environment,” Stearns said previously. “That’s the allure of hard-enduro. Competing against wildness in a world that’s been tamed.” 

Each year, the course is built in secrecy. Only Stearns and a select few — none of them competitors — see the layout before race time. 

The professional field again features many of the sport’s top competitors. 

Current championship leader Manuel Lettenbichler of Germany enters Round 3 with 61 points after a dominant win in Portugal. Behind him, the standings remain tight. Bulgaria’s Teodor Kabakchiev has 46 points, followed by Great Britain’s Billy Bolt (44) and Mitch Brightmore (43), setting up a pivotal weekend where a single result could reshape the title race. 

Other top contenders expected to compete include Ashton Brightmore of Great Britain, Spain’s Mario Román, South Africa’s Wade Young, Sweden’s Eddie Karlsson and South Africa’s James Moore — all ranked inside the championship’s top 10. 

A strong North American presence is also anticipated. Leading U.S. riders such as Trystan Hart, Cody Webb and Ryder LeBlond are expected to join the field. While many do not compete in the full world championship series, they traditionally race domestic rounds like Silver Kings and often contend near the front. 

Despite its elite competition, Silver Kings remains open to a wide range of riders. 

What sets the event apart is its inclusivity, offering participants of all ages and skill levels a chance to tackle one of the sport’s toughest courses. 

New this year, a mountain shuttle will operate during the event. On Friday, buses will transport spectators from the base of Chair 3 to mid-mountain Chair 4 for viewing at Milo Creek. On Saturday, the shuttle will run the same route with an additional stop from the mountain house to the base of Steep & Deep, site of the pro start and “Full Gas” hill climb. 

Parking will be limited, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early. Overflow parking is available at Kellogg Middle School and Teeters Field. The Kellogg Trolley will run between those locations and Silver Mountain from 7 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. 

The rider parade begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Thursday’s Super Kings Prologue starts at 8:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day, with the pro championship beginning at 7 p.m. On-mountain racing begins at 9 a.m. Friday. The main event takes place Saturday, with competition starting at 7:30 a.m. 

Silver Kings Hard Enduro is June 18 - 20. 

Spectator tickets are limited and should be purchased in advance. Tickets, additional information and a full schedule are available at silverkingshardenduro.com.