TMB & UTMB
When the mountains become the stuff of legend
In Les Contamines-Montjoie, we don’t just talk about hiking. We’re talking about crossing, committing and surpassing ourselves. The Tour du Mont-Blanc (TMB) and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc are part of the village’s DNA. Here, we see walkers loaded up for several days… and, a few weeks later, runners taking part in one of the world’s most legendary races.
Photo credit: Amélie Blondiaux Hellolaroux
The TMB: an adventure on a human scale
The Tour du Mont-Blanc is an itinerary of over 170 km around the massif, crossing France, Italy and Switzerland. Les Contamines is a key stage, often a landmark, between valley and high mountain.
Accessible to good walkers, the TMB is generally completed in 7 to 10 days. We come to disconnect, to live at the rhythm of the refuges, to immerse ourselves in a raw and spectacular mountain. It’s a personal adventure, but never a solitary one: you’ll meet walkers from all over the world, exchange ideas and share experiences.
The UTMB: the extreme version of the mountain
Every year at the end of August, Chamonix becomes the world’s trail center with the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. More than a race, it’s an event. There are several formats (OCC, CCC, UTMB…), ranging from around 50 km to 170 km for the top race.
The world’s best athletes are taking part, including Kilian Jornet, François D’Haene and Courtney Dauwalter. But the UTMB is also an adventure for passionate amateurs, who are prepared to spend months preparing for the event.
Train, prepare, experience
Taking part in the UTMB is not something you can improvise. You have to train for a long time, not only in terms of endurance and altitude gain, but also in terms of diet, sleep and weather. This is also where our village comes into its own: quieter than Chamonix, more accessible, but at the heart of the course.
Where to sleep during the UTMB?
The question comes up every year: “UTMB, where can I stay?” Chamonix quickly sells out. Finding a hotel near the UTMB race in Chamonix becomes complicated, and rates rise quickly.
This is where Les Contamines-Montjoie offers a real alternative. Just 30-40 minutes from Chamonix, the village is the perfect place to find a hotel for the UTMB or a chalet to rent. while remaining close to the event. This is often the right compromise for successful UTMB accommodation: sleep in peace and quiet, have easy access to the start and finish points, and enjoy the atmosphere without being subjected to it.
Of course, we have the best address for you… Le Gai Soleil!