The Pierra Menta: A Mythical Race In The Heart Of The Beaufortain
The Pierra Menta, which takes place every year in mid-March in Arêches-Beaufort in Savoie, is the longest and most famous ski mountaineering race. At each edition, several hundred skiers set off in teams of two to take up this high mountain sporting challenge.
A legendary race
The Pierra Menta is a ski-mountaineering race held each year in mid-March in Arêches-Beaufort in Savoie. Since 1986, this event has established itself as the longest and most prestigious race of its kind.
This international competition brings together the best European athletes in the sublime scenery of Beaufortain. It is a real sporting challenge since the participants cover nearly 10,000 meters of positive elevation gain in 4 days: more than Everest!
This race alternating harassing climbs and vertiginous descents is one of the stages of the Rhône-Alpes Challenge and the international ski-mountaineering championship: La Grande Course.
Edition 2023
The 37th edition of the Pierra Menta will take place from March 8 to 11, 2023 on the grounds of Arêches-Beaufort.
This year again, nearly 600 runners will participate: preschoolers and middle schoolers, men and women, young people and young men. Volunteers and volunteers' representatives will contribute to make this race a unique moment.
This competition will bring together the greatest champions of ski-mountaineering such as William Bon Mardion, Mathéo Jacquemoud and Kilian Jornet-Burgada in the men's category or Laëtitia Roux and Mireia Miro in the women's category.
Did you know that?
The Pierra Menta is also a great party for an audience of enthusiasts. Every year, thousands of spectators cheer on the teams, even at the top of the Grand Mont at 2686 m altitude!
During this mythical stage, which takes place on the third day of the race, more than 3,000 spectators climb this summit at dawn and wait for the riders to pass. They encourage them with the sound of songs, bells, accordions, trumpets and bells. A joyful hullabaloo in the mountains of B?uf?rt??n!
