Millet Tour du Rutor Extrême
The legendary ski mountaineering race across the glaciers and ridges of the Aosta Valley
About Tour du Rutor
A ski mountaineering legend
The Millet Tour du Rutor Extrême is an international ski mountaineering competition held annually in late March in the mountains of the Aosta Valley. Considered one of the most challenging and fascinating events on the world calendar, it is the final of the European circuit La Grande Course, which brings together the great high-altitude ski mountaineering classics.
Extreme race numbers
The race is contested by teams of two athletes over two stages, for a total of approximately 50 kilometers (35 km uphill, 15 km freeride) and 5,000 meters of total positive elevation gain, with 3 km of ridges and couloirs and over twenty equipment changes. The routes cross some of the largest glaciers in the Aosta Valley and take athletes over 3,400 meters, in a severe and majestic high mountain environment.
Three mountains, one territory
The Tour du Rutor involves three locations in the Aosta Valley: La Thuile, Valgrisenche, and Arvier, in the province of Aosta. The decisive stage starts and finishes in Planaval, a hamlet of the Municipality of Arvier at 1,554 meters, with a spectacular loop around Château-Blanc up to 3,422 meters. The first stage, the great traverse, connects La Thuile to Valgrisenche, crossing one of the largest glaciers in the region.
History and roots
The event has its roots in 1933, when the Trofeo del Rutor was born; the modern format of the extreme race took shape in Planaval and is today promoted by the organizing committee led by mountaineer and guide Marco Camandona. Each edition attracts hundreds of teams from dozens of nations, confirming the Tour du Rutor as one of the flagship sporting events of the Aosta Valley winter.
Tour du Rutor — edition 2026
The 22nd edition of the Millet Tour du Rutor Extrême, the 2026 final of the La Grande Course circuit, brought together 277 teams representing 19 nations on March 28 and 29 in the Aosta Valley mountains of La Thuile, Valgrisenche, and Arvier. Saturday's great traverse connected La Thuile to Valgrisenche with over 2,400 meters of elevation gain and passage over the Rutor glacier; Sunday's decisive stage took place with start and finish in Planaval (Arvier), in a loop around Château-Blanc up to 3,422 meters.
Among the men, Davide Magnini and Anton Palzer won, ahead of William Bon Mardion-Xavier Gachet and Samuel Equy-Anselme Damevin. Among the women, the victory went to Axelle Mollaret and Alba De Silvestro, preceding Giulia Compagnoni-Noemi Junod and Ilaria Veronese-Corinna Ghirardi.
Programme Tour du Rutor 2026
Saturday, March 28 — Great Traverse
- Start from La Thuile, finish in Valgrisenche
- Approximately 2,400 m of positive elevation gain, crossing the Rutor glacier
Sunday, March 29 — Planaval (Arvier) Final
- Start and finish from Planaval (1,554 m), loop around Château-Blanc up to 3,422 m
- Approximately 2,300 m of positive elevation gain
Results
- Men: 1st Davide Magnini - Anton Palzer (5h17'24"); 2nd William Bon Mardion - Xavier Gachet; 3rd Samuel Equy - Anselme Damevin
- Women: 1st Axelle Mollaret - Alba De Silvestro (6h02'50"); 2nd Giulia Compagnoni - Noemi Junod; 3rd Ilaria Veronese - Corinna Ghirardi
Highlights Tour du Rutor 2026
Prices Tour du Rutor 2026
Practical information — Tour du Rutor
How to get there
Planaval is a hamlet of Arvier, reachable from the SS26 about 30 km from Aosta (A5 Aosta Ovest motorway exit). The other race locations are La Thuile and Valgrisenche.
Participation
The race is reserved for experienced ski mountaineering teams; registrations usually open in January on the official website. The event is free for spectators.
Information
Official website: tourdurutor.com.
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Where does it take place — Tour du Rutor
Planaval (Arvier), Valgrisenche e La Thuile
Località Planaval, 11011 Arvier