Pierra Menta: ski mountaineering, skyrunning and challenges in Savoie

In the middle of the French Alps, the Pierra Menta challenges the sky. Located in the Beaufortain massif, this rocky tooth rising to 2,714 metres is not just a geological summit. It is the totem of a sporting religion: ski mountaineering. Every winter, this “Holy Grail” brings together the world's elite and thousands of enthusiasts in Arêches-Beaufort, an hour's drive from our campsite in Savoie. But the legend does not end when the snow melts. Winter and summer alike, this demanding terrain tests human limits.

The Pierra Menta races at a glance

The winter Pierra Menta: the flagship ski mountaineering event

When March arrives, tension rises in Beaufort. The winter Pierra Menta is under way!

A story born of passion

To grasp the soul of this race, you have to go back to its origins. The year is 1986. Ski touring is still a niche activity. A team of locals from Arêches, guided by the vision of enthusiasts such as Guy Blanc, decides to launch an unprecedented challenge. Their idea? To create a race as beautiful as it is difficult. They imagine the Pierra Menta as the Dakar of the snow. The aim is to trace a technical route, far from groomed slopes, where the only reward is surpassing yourself.

From the start, the race's DNA was set in stone:

• Team spirit: it is a race for teams of two. Safety and mutual support are vital.
• Extreme endurance: forget sprinting. Here, skiers face four days of intense stages.
• Technicality: steep climbs, sharp ridges, descents in changing snow.

The figures are dizzying and establish the race's credibility. Imagine 10,000 metres of ascent!

The rise to the world elite

Over the decades, the Pierra Menta has grown considerably. From a simple gathering of Savoie friends, it has become an unmissable event. Today, it is a must for any top-level athlete.

Big names such as Kilian Jornet and the Italian stars have added their names to the list of winners. The Pierra Menta has become a benchmark in the ski mountaineering world, attracting attention from America to Asia. Yet, despite this aura of an unofficial world championship, it has kept its authenticity.

The unique atmosphere on the Grand Mont

But the Pierra Menta is not just about times. Above all, it is about emotion. The highlight comes during the Grand Mont stage.

From dawn, a huge crowd sets off. Thousands of spectators climb to an altitude of 2,686 metres. Some on skis, others on snowshoes or on foot. The cold stings the face, but the human warmth warms the heart.

At the top, it is madness:

• The sound of cowbells and bells echoes through the valley.
• Encouragement is shouted to the toilers of the slope.
• A human guard of honour forms along the ridge.

It is this unique atmosphere, mixing sweat and conviviality, that you will find during your stay at your mountain campsite.

The summer Pierra Menta: the challenge continues with skyrunning

Spring makes the snow disappear, but not the desire for the mountains. As soon as the pastures regain their colours, the Pierra Menta takes on its summer version and attracts trail runners and skyrunners in search of adventure.

The birth of the summer Pierra Menta

Created in 2015, the summer Pierra Menta extends the legacy of the legendary winter race born in Arêches-Beaufort, an area popular with fans of ski mountaineering and trail running.

Designed to keep the team spirit, the summer version is still raced in pairs. During the race, runners cross the beautiful landscapes of the Beaufortain: Grande Journée, Grand Mont and Roche Parstire opposite Lake Roselend.

The summer Pierra Menta in figures

Wondering what the Pierra Menta concept is?

• 3 days,
• 2 runners,
• 1 skyrunning terrain.
• A route totalling nearly 70 km,
• 7,000 m of ascent, with exposed sections where a harness and lanyards are essential.

Crests, ridges and technical trails demand precision and cohesion: it is trail running, but with a real light mountaineering dimension.

The youth version of the summer Pierra Menta

Far from being a simple fun run, the “Youth” version is a real antechamber to the elite. Reserved for the Cadet and Junior (16 to 20 years) categories, it takes place over 2 days (the weekend of the adult race) to ensure total immersion without the exhaustion of 3 days. The specifications remain uncompromising:

• Team spirit: like the adults, the young runners must race in inseparable pairs.
• Technical learning: the route includes technical passages where a harness is compulsory. This is where the next generation learns to manage effort and safety in the high mountains. It is a golden opportunity for sporty teenagers holidaying in the area to measure themselves against France's best young talents, under the watchful eye of the organisers.

In every season, the Pierra Menta is much more than a date on the Arêches-Beaufort calendar. It stands for challenges in the heart of the mountains. Are you a finely tuned athlete ready to take on the clock, or a nature lover eager to thrill to the sound of cowbells at daybreak? The Beaufortain awaits you! And to enjoy it to the full, nothing beats a stay at our campsite L’Eden de la Vanoise! What are you waiting for? Book your holiday in Savoie to watch or take part in these events, or simply enjoy hiking in the Vanoise!