Mont Blanc Ultra Trail running training course
4 days of training and preparation for the famous trail running race taking place in Chamonix around Mt Blanc with Caroline, UIMLA certified mountain leader.
Alps
4 Days
Apr - Nov
Very high
Advanced
Highlights
- An official and full tour of the Mt Blanc ultra trail running race
- Personalized advice to prepare better for the race
- Comfortable accommodation
Description
This trip around Mont Blanc takes traces of the legendary ultra trail running race in the world trail calendar (168 km and 10000 meters of altitude change). You will progress in breathtaking landscapes in the company of an experienced trail running leader. We will cover many topics, for example: recognition of the path, advice on physical preparation and nutrition, equipment advice, technical improvement…
The opportunity to take care of key aspects of a good physical and mental preparation for this legendary ultra trail. The trip is for runners with ample experience. In addition, you must have already participated in long trails or steps (a race book is required upon registration).
In the ‘extra’ section below, you’ll find information about the required trail running level you need to have and the equipment you’ll need to bring with you.
During these 4 days we will run on average 35km a day and go up from 1500 to 2500 meters. We will mainly be on single tracks and technical trails (stone, névé…). We will partially run off trails and be on aerial paths.
Does this trail running training around Mont Blanc sound interesting? Then please don’t hesitate to contact me! We will have the opportunity to discuss your level.
If this course is not appropriate, we will talk about all the others trips that I organize this year in the Alps and elsewhere, for beginners and experienced trail runners. If you are looking for a longer trip here, I also offer this Ultra Trail race trail training in 7 days.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Luggage transfer
Price details
- The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).
Itinerary
Day 1: Chamonix - Refuge des Prés
Meeting point in Chamonix, collection of travel bags, equipment check, and briefing. The first part of the route is the fairly wide trail to Les Houches. After this warm-up, we tackle the 1st difficulty to the Col de Voza before descending to the village of the village of Saint Gervais and then Les Contamines. The we have a final ascent of 600m to the refuge. The end of the stage is at the Refuge des Prés.
Km: 40km Min. altitude: 812m Max. altitude : 1935m Total ascent + : 2280m Total ascent -: 1256m Estimated walking time: 7H
Day 2: Refuge des Prés- Courmayeur
This magnificent stage is the longest of the trip due to its technical nature. We cross the famous Bonhomme and Seigne passes. After this, we see the Pyramides and Checrouit before descending to Courmayeur. The accommodation is in rooms of 2 or 3.
Km : 46km Altitude min. : 1173m Altitude max. : 2569m Dénivelé Tot. + : 2580m Dénivelé Tot. - : 3019m Temps de marche estimé : 11H
Day 3: Courmayeur - Champex
On this 3rd day, we join the Swiss part of the Tour du Mont Blanc. The Grandes Jorasses and the Aiguille de Triolet stand proudly in front of us. We reach Arnuva before starting the ascent to Grand Col Ferret. A long descent through alpine meadows takes us to Praz de Fort. We make another effort to reach Champex, which is a beautiful little village at the foot of a mountain lake. The hotel accommodation is in rooms of 2 or 3.
Km: 51km Min. altitude: 1054m Max. altitude: 2527m Total ascent + : 2600m Total ascent -: 2156m Estimated walking time: 11H
Day 4: Champex - Chamonix
On the last stage of our journey, we reach the French border after crossing the Col de Bovine and the village of Trient. Then we cross Catogne, La Tête au Vent, and the Chamonix Valley. The end of the stay in Chamonix is at around 6 pm.
Km: 45km Min. altitude: 1039m Max. altitude: 2133m Total ascent + : 2600m Total ascent -: 2907m Estimated walking time: 10H
Details
More info
For group tours a minimum number of participants (defined in advance) is required for the departure to take place. If the number of participants is insufficient and the departure is cancelled, clients will be informed via a phone call at least a week prior to the scheduled departure date and will receive a complete refund.
Clients are required to have a multi-risk insurance, covering cancellation fees, rescue and accident, repatriation and baggage loss or theft.
(Tour du Mont Blanc 4 jours)
Group size: 9 to 14 people.
Level:
- Regular practice of running and other endurance activities 4-5 times per week for at least 1:15h
- Regular practice of foot race in varied terrain
- Regular practice of mountain hiking
- Experience and participation in trails in the mountains of at least 40km and 2000m of positive vertical drop and be able to progress at a minimum speed of 800m positive vertical drop / hr for 1 hour,
- In racing recognition: being able to keep the barriers official schedules of the race on the duration of the course, the course is usually done in several days. (2-4 days depending on the relevant races)
- Mountain environment knowledge required
The equipment :
- During the day : a light backpack with a waterproof jacket, a long sleeve warm fleece type, an individual pharmacy kit*, a cap or headband, a hat and thin gloves, sunglasses suitable for running, long tights if you are wearing shorts to run, cereal bars and energy drinks, a plastic bag for waste, biodegradable toilet paper, a headlamp, a minimum reserve water of 1.5L, an elastic strapping strip and some cash
- To wear: running short, a short-sleeved t-shirt, running socks and already worn trail shoes
- For the whole stay: a silk sheet, a towel, spare clothes for 4 days, a personal hygiene kit, spare shoes, a spare water socket, spare batteries for the headlamp, a pair of spare laces, a pocketknife and earplugs
- Recommended additional equipment: poles and camera
- Individual pharmacy kit: anti-friction cream, sunscreen, double skin dressings, elastic band, paracetamol, anti-diarrheal, antiseptic and personal drugs
Meeting point
Equipment you will need to bring
What to bring for the day : - A light rucksack including : - A waterproof jacket - A warm long-sleeved fleece top - Survival blanket and whistle - An individual first-aid kit - Cap or headband - Hat and thin gloves - Sunglasses suitable for running - Long tights if running shorts - Cereal bars and energy drink - Plastic bag for garbage - Biodegradable toilet paper - Headlamp and spare batteries - Minimum 1.5l water supply - Elastic strapping - A small amount of cash - A pair of walking sticks What to bring : - Running shorts - Short-sleeved T-shirt - A pair of running socks - Previously worn trail shoes To bring for the whole stay : - A silk sheet - Change of clothes for 4 days - Towel - Personal toiletries - Spare shoes - Spare water bag - Spare batteries for headlamp - Spare pair of shoelaces - Pocket knife - Earplugs or ear plugs Individual pharmacy: - Anti-chafing cream - sunscreen - Double skin bandages - Elastic bandage - Paracetamol - Anti-diarrheal - Antiseptic - Personal medications Include: - Accommodation in mountain huts (dormitories) and in hotels for 2 nights (rooms 2-3 people) - ½ board (dinner + breakfast) - Picnic lunches except on the first day - Supervision by a qualified mountain leader - Bag transportation (D1: 10L lightening bag to be carried on foot by your by your assistant to the refuge, then J2 to J4: access to your luggage). Not include: - Individual insurance - Food supplements (energy bars and drinks) - Personal expenses - Beverages during meals - Picnic lunch on day 1 (to be arranged individually) - Individual transfers in the event of interruption of the outing or stay
FAQs
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
-Caroline
4.9
(11)
Mountain Leader
I hold the State Certificate of Mountain Leader (UIMLA), Athlete of Team Garmin Adventure. I won many trail competitions such as Oxygen Challenge, The Glaciers Tour of Vanoise, Albertville Trail, Drayes Blanches of Vercors, the Frison Roche Beaufort, Run and skate of Chamonix… I have also some racing podiums such as the Saintélyon, the Lyon Urban Trail, the Causses Marathon, the Allobroges. I am an ex-sportswoman of high level in rowing (World Championships, World Cups, France Championships). I have a mastery STAPS (Sport) and BEES First degree in rowing. I organise and supervise many trail courses in the Alps with a pro team, a friends group with whom we have a mission: Run and enjoy! I invite you to contact me if you want to train and/or discover these incredible massifs.
Languages
French | English
Certificates
UIMLA
What people are saying about this trip
James
Great experience, but definitely favored toward elite runners. One of our guides, JC, was amazing. He cared about every runner. The other guide seemed only to care for the elites (and himself). On top of Col des Montets, I asked if we had time to put on warm layers. The guide said "of course," but then quickly proceeded to run off with the entire group while I stood bare and freezing with my gear unpacked. Total lack of consideration for the well-being of his runners. Otherwise a great tour.
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