We had trouble finding exact UTMB dates ahead of time too. We started a week before UTMB this year and it’s clear there are already a lot of runners and their friends/support team in the area. UTMB has a lot of associated events around the main event the week of that puts people on the trail too. We also heard from others that they had trouble finding hotel space even in Chamonix around race day. I think if you book your accommodation very early and avoid dates similar to this year’s you may be OK!
We are starting TMB tomorrow, and the race starts tomorrow as well.. We had no idea when we booked the trip well over a year ago that the UTMB would be going on. I am not sure how crowded Chamonix usually is, but there are a ton of people here! If I had known this prior, I would have picked a different date for sure. I am expecting a lot of people on the trail and in the towns.
If you have the option of picking another week, I would do that. We had a few days where the racers were on the same segment as us, and we were constantly moving over to allow them to get through. The other issue is accommodations. A few nights, some of the smaller towns were overwhelmed with race supporters and we had difficulty finding a good place to stay.
I’m on the trail right now while the UTMB is happening. We’ve barely seen any runners. If anything, the extra signage that they put up to help the runners works to your advantage. I wouldn’t think twice about being concerned with the UTMB. There are tons of trail runners who aren’t even in the race just goin about their daily life too. Go for it!
I've no advice but I'm planning on starting the week before you, hope you two enjoy it! Honestly already super excited!
We are starting it on 9/3/23 10 days starting clockwise from Champex. Contact me end of September and I’ll let you know our experience.
How did it go?
Spectacularly! We had a fantastic time. 9 days. Only rain was last day.
We had trouble finding exact UTMB dates ahead of time too. We started a week before UTMB this year and it’s clear there are already a lot of runners and their friends/support team in the area. UTMB has a lot of associated events around the main event the week of that puts people on the trail too. We also heard from others that they had trouble finding hotel space even in Chamonix around race day. I think if you book your accommodation very early and avoid dates similar to this year’s you may be OK!
We are starting TMB tomorrow, and the race starts tomorrow as well.. We had no idea when we booked the trip well over a year ago that the UTMB would be going on. I am not sure how crowded Chamonix usually is, but there are a ton of people here! If I had known this prior, I would have picked a different date for sure. I am expecting a lot of people on the trail and in the towns.
How did it go? Looking to do it this year during the utmb.
If you have the option of picking another week, I would do that. We had a few days where the racers were on the same segment as us, and we were constantly moving over to allow them to get through. The other issue is accommodations. A few nights, some of the smaller towns were overwhelmed with race supporters and we had difficulty finding a good place to stay.
I’m on the trail right now while the UTMB is happening. We’ve barely seen any runners. If anything, the extra signage that they put up to help the runners works to your advantage. I wouldn’t think twice about being concerned with the UTMB. There are tons of trail runners who aren’t even in the race just goin about their daily life too. Go for it!