Val Tho Summit Games

The Val Tho Summit Games take place in Val Thorens, France, nestled in the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps, approximately 2 hours south of Geneva, Switzerland. This alpine trail event features a range of races designed to challenge runners of all levels amid high-altitude scenery.

The core of the event is the VT Trail Pursuit, offering three distances. The 10 km course ascends 500m over varied mountain terrain, suitable for all runners aged 16 and above. The 20 km route climbs 1,000m and weaves through alpine ridges and forested paths. It’s also a UTMB World Series qualifier.

The most demanding race is the 42 km with 2,200m of elevation gain, which tests endurance on rugged trails with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. It also qualifies finishers to get UTMB “stones” for the Chamonix UTMB races. 

Complementing these three races is the VT Speed 3200 vertical kilometer, a steep 4.6 km ascent with 1,000m of climbing. The race finishes at the summit of Grand Fond at 3,003 m.

For younger participants, the VT Trail Kids offers looped courses from 1.3 km to 3.8 km with moderate elevation, tailored to ages 10 to 15. A family-friendly 6 km walk offers alpine vistas and includes interactive activity stations.

The Val Tho races also offer training camps that cover trail technique, nutrition, and recovery before and after the event.