Opening Ceremony Video – Many who have climbed with us before know that our live events include an opening ceremony to thank everyone and get everyone ready for the climb. Our Virtual Stair Climb Toolkit includes one too. Watch online before you climb to remember.

343 Roll Call – You will receive a link to watch before/after your climb including all of the firefighters we honor at each climb.

Printable Honor Badges – You can download our honor badge collection, choose the hero or heroes that you will climb in honor of, and print their badge(s) to carry with you during your climb.

Virtual Bell – Once you’ve completed your climb, you will ring the “Virtual Bell,” by playing the 5-5-5 bell video to remember your firefighter. We encourage you to post a photo or video of yourself completing your journey using the hashtags #911stairclimb #neverforget #NFFFstairclimbs.

Invitation to a Special Stair Climber Facebook Group – Interact with other climbers across the country, share how you are honoring firefighters with your climb, and get ideas from other climbers too! Join the group now.

Virtual Climber T-Shirt – You will receive a special shirt made especially for our 2020 virtual climbers. Your shirt will arrive after December 31, 2021.

Special offers and prizes – Black Hawk sponsors providing gifts and special drawing prizes. All participants will be entered to win!

The stair climb, sponsored by the City of Black Hawk and hosted by the Ameristar, is supported by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control with its National Fire Academy Weekend. The proceeds from the event will support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) who create and maintain programs that support fire service survivors. NFFF provides much needed assistance to the surviving families and co-workers of the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.

The Black Hawk 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb has a unique added degree of difficulty. Unlike other climbs, participants will not only begin the challenge at 8,042 feet above sea level, but will also gain 192 feet of elevation, making the Black Hawk 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb the highest stair climb in the world.

Participants will climb a total of 116 floors in four laps in the Ameristar hotel tower, exceeding the total levels of the World Trade Center by six floors. Each lap takes participants to the Ameristar’s pool deck with majestic views of the area before descending back to ground level. This event is not a race, rather a gathering to honor the fallen, help those who were affected on that day, and let the world know we will never forget.

Participants should prepare for the drastic change in elevation and understand their personal limits. This is not a competition. Participants do not need to complete all four laps to participate.

Event participants may choose to complete the climb wearing their uniform, bunker gear, SCBA, or workout clothes, as desired. (SCBA and bunker gear will not be provided, please bring your own).