Grand Raid Kiprun 3 Vallées

The Grand Raid Kiprun 3 Vallées is a series of races based in Moûtiers, France, which sits at the foot of the road network that connects to a series of valleys above. It’s been the historic capital of the Tarentaise region since the 8th century. Geneva is around 1h45 by car, and Lyon, France is about two hours to the south. 

The longest race is the Ultra des 3 Vallées, which covers 170 km with 12,000m of vertical gain. It threads through seven popular ski resorts, including Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires in a loop that starts and finishes in Moûtiers. The route takes in high-elevation alpine terrain, broad glacial ridges, steep couloirs that will hold snow in the summer months, and wide open pastures that sit above treeline between resort villages.

Shorter distances range from the 110 km Odyssée de Caron, with 5,880 m elevation gain, down through a 70 km, 50 km, 25 km, and a 10 km evening race. There is a relay option for teams of eight on the full course.

The surrounding area is the home of Beaufort, a firm mountain cheese made from the milk of Tarine cattle that graze on nearby high pastures. The cooperatives around Moûtiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice have been producing it for centuries, and it’s well worth seeking out before or after race day.