TDS - Elevation Profile, Aid Stations and Cutoffs
The TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie) is a 145km ultra-trail with around 9,500m of elevation gain, running from Courmayeur in Italy to Chamonix in France through the Aosta Valley, the Tarentaise, and the Beaufortain. The overall cutoff is 44 hours 55 minutes, and the highest point is the Col Chavannes at 2,580m.
Course profile
- Distance
- 145 km
- Elevation gain
- 9,500 m
- Elevation loss
- 9,690 m
- Highest point
- Col Chavannes (2,580 m)
- Cutoff
- 44h55
- Typical winning time
- ~18h30
The 2026 edition starts in Courmayeur on Monday August 24 at 23:50, so the Col Chavannes is crossed in the dark. TDS is widely considered the most technical of the UTMB-week races: the Passeur de Pralognan (2,552m) above Bourg Saint-Maurice is steep, exposed, and often bottlenecked. Beaufort at km 92 is the main crew hub and the only drop-bag point before the finish.
Data is approximate and courses change between editions - always verify against the official race guide.
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Plan against barriersElevation profile
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~1 weeks · peak ~4 h/week · 5 run + 1 strength days
For a 145 km race, aim for about 14 h/week at peak. Set your availability to 16 h/week in the app for the headroom to build there gradually.
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Aid stations and checkpoints
| Checkpoint | Km | Cumulative gain (m) | Cumulative loss (m) | Cutoff | Crew | Drop bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start - Courmayeur | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - |
| Lac Combal | 16.4 | 1,280 | 540 | Tue 03:30 | Yes | No |
| La Thuile - Petit St Bernard | 36.4 | 2,370 | 1,410 | Tue 08:30 | Yes | No |
| Bourg Saint-Maurice | 50.6 | 2,390 | 2,790 | Tue 11:00 | Yes | No |
| Fort de la Platte | 55.5 | 3,550 | 2,790 | Tue 13:45 | Yes | No |
| Cormet de Roselend | 65.7 | 4,280 | 3,530 | Tue 17:15 | Yes | No |
| La Gittaz | 73.3 | 4,640 | 4,210 | Tue 19:30 | Yes | No |
| Beaufort | 91.9 | 5,580 | 6,070 | Wed 03:00 | Yes | Yes |
| Hauteluce | 98.2 | 6,070 | 6,120 | Wed 05:30 | Yes | No |
| Le Signal | 114.9 | 7,390 | 6,730 | Wed 11:15 | Yes | No |
| Les Contamines | 122.7 | 7,400 | 7,470 | Wed 13:15 | Yes | No |
| Bellevue | 136.5 | 8,940 | 8,370 | Wed 18:15 | Yes | No |
| Les Houches | 141 | 8,940 | 9,160 | Wed 19:15 | Yes | No |
| Chamonix (Finish) | 145 | 9,500 | 9,690 | Wed 20:45 | Yes | Yes |
Data is approximate and courses change between editions - always verify against the official race guide. Source: official race guide, verified July 17, 2026 - Official race website
FAQ
How long is the TDS?
The TDS covers approximately 145km from Courmayeur (Italy) to Chamonix (France), passing the Petit Saint-Bernard, Bourg Saint-Maurice, the Beaufortain, and Les Contamines, with around 9,500m of cumulative elevation gain.
How much elevation gain does the TDS have?
The TDS has around 9,500m of cumulative elevation gain over 145km - nearly as much climbing as UTMB in 30 fewer kilometres, which is why it is considered one of the hardest races of UTMB week.
What is the cutoff time for the TDS?
The overall TDS cutoff is 44 hours 55 minutes, with intermediate time barriers at every major checkpoint from Lac Combal onwards. Winning times are typically around 18-19 hours.
What is the highest point of the TDS?
The highest point of the TDS is the Col Chavannes at 2,580m, crossed at roughly km 20 above the Vallee des Glaciers. The Passeur de Pralognan (2,552m) at km 61 is the most technical passage.
How many aid stations does the TDS have and which allow crew?
The checkpoint table lists 12 major aid points between Courmayeur and the finish in Chamonix, and crew access is allowed at nearly all of them, including Lac Combal, Bourg Saint-Maurice, Cormet de Roselend, Beaufort, Les Contamines, and Les Houches. Drop bags are available at Beaufort (91.9km).
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