La Mégavalanche
The most legendary mass-start downhill mountain bike race in the world
About Mégavalanche
La Mégavalanche: The World's Most Extreme Downhill MTB Race
La Mégavalanche is a mass-start downhill mountain bike race organized every year in Alpe d'Huez in Isère. Created in 1995, this event has become over the years the most famous and spectacular downhill MTB race on the planet, attracting riders from over 40 different nationalities.
A Legendary Start at 3,330 Meters Altitude
The principle of La Mégavalanche is as simple as it is spectacular: up to 1,500 mountain bikers launch in a mass-start from the summit of Pic Blanc, at 3,330 meters altitude, directly onto the glacier. The first few hundred meters take place on snow, offering striking images of this human avalanche descending the mountain.
2,600 Meters of Elevation Change Over 20 km
The Mégavalanche course covers over 20 kilometers with a negative elevation change of 2,600 meters, from the eternal snows of the glacier down to the valley of Allemond below. Riders cross an incredible diversity of terrain: glacier, snow patches, scree, alpine pastures, technical trails, forest single tracks, and dirt paths. Race times vary from 45 minutes for the fastest to over 2 hours for amateur participants.
A Festive Multi-Day Event
La Mégavalanche is not just a single race. The event takes place over three days with qualifications, pre-races, and the grand finale. The program also includes Mega Kids, a race for children aged 7 to 16, and the e-Megavalanche, a category for electric-assist mountain bikes. Live concerts, festive aperitifs, and an exhibitor village complete the experience.
A Reference International Competition
Since its creation in 1995 by UCC Sport Event, La Mégavalanche has acquired legendary status in the world of mountain biking. The event has seen the world's best riders compete and has revealed many talents. Its unique high-mountain mass-start format, mixing professional competitors and passionate amateurs, makes it an unparalleled event on the global MTB circuit.
Alpe d'Huez, Land of Cycling
La Mégavalanche contributes to the renown of Alpe d'Huez as a leading cycling destination. The resort in Isère, already world-famous for its 21 hairpin bends on the Tour de France, offers one of Europe's most renowned bike parks in the summer, with over 250 km of marked MTB trails.
Mégavalanche — edition 2026
The Mégavalanche 2026 will take place from Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 12th, 2026 in Alpe d'Huez (Isère). A mass-start mountain bike race, one of the most legendary in the world, it offers a group start from the summit of Pic Blanc, on the Sarenne glacier at an altitude of 3,330 m, for a descent of approximately 2,600 m of negative elevation down to Allemond. Registrations opened on January 16th, 2026 at 6 PM and close on July 7th, 2026, with a limit of 1,500 participants for the main race.
Mégavalanche 2026: The Longest and Craziest MTB Descent
The Mégavalanche returns to Alpe d'Huez from July 10th to 12th, 2026. A mass-start marathon downhill race, it starts from the Sarenne glacier at the summit of Pic Blanc at 3,330 m and plunges over 20 km down to Allemond, representing approximately 2,600 m of negative elevation, through the communes of Oisans (Vaujany, Oz-en-Oisans, Allemond).
Riders are divided into performance groups according to their qualification: the Mégavalanche group (the top 350), the Challengers, the Amateurs, the Affinity (time trial), as well as a Mega Ladies category. The main race is capped at 1,500 participants.
The weekend also offers several additional formats: the e-Megavalanche reserved for electric-assist mountain bikes, the Mega Kid for youngsters aged 7 to 16, the Mega Draisienne for 2-5 year olds, a Vintage Race and entertainment at the Alpe d'Huez Expo Village on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Programme Mégavalanche 2026
Friday, July 10th, 2026
- Mega Kid (7-16 years old) — heats 1 & 2: U17/U15/U13 at 9:30 AM and 1:45 PM from Pic Blanc 2 (2,700 m); U11/U9 at 9:50 AM and 2:00 PM from Pic Blanc 1 (2,100 m)
- Qualifications / Ranking Heats: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, start from Dôme des Rousses, arrival at Expo Village (all categories)
- Mega Kid Awards Ceremony: 5:00 PM
- Vintage Race: 5:30 PM, start from Pic Blanc 1 (2,100 m)
Saturday, July 11th, 2026
- e-Megavalanche (electric-assist MTB): 9:00 AM, start from the glacier (3,330 m)
- Mega Ladies: 9:15 AM
- Mega Challengers: 9:30 AM
- Mega Affinity (time trial): 9:45 AM
- Mega Draisienne (2-5 years old): 3:30 PM at the Expo Village
- Awards Ceremonies (Ladies, Challengers, e-Mega): 5:00 PM
- Evening entertainment at the Expo Village
Sunday, July 12th, 2026
- Mégavalanche Grand Final — mass-start from the glacier (3,330 m): 9:00 AM
- Mega Amateurs: 9:30 AM
- Megavalanche Trail (downhill trail race): 9:45 AM
- Awards Ceremony: from 11:00 AM
Highlights Mégavalanche 2026
- Mass-start of 1,500 riders from the Pic Blanc glacier at 3,330 m
- Over 20 km of descent and 2,600 m of negative elevation change
- Mega Kids, Mega Draisienne, and e-Megavalanche
- Registrations open since January 16, 2026
- VIP category limited to 200 places
Prices Mégavalanche 2026
Practical information — Mégavalanche
Event Location
La Mégavalanche takes place in Alpe d'Huez (municipality of Huez), a winter and summer sports resort located in the Grandes Rousses massif in Isère. The start is given at the summit of Pic Blanc (3,330 m), accessible by cable car from Alpe d'Huez. The finish is in Allemond in the valley.
Access
By Car
Alpe d'Huez is accessible from Grenoble (63 km, approx. 1h15) via the RN91 towards Briançon, then the D211 from Le Bourg-d'Oisans. Free and paid parking is available at the resort.
By Public Transport
Regular shuttles connect Grenoble to Alpe d'Huez via Le Bourg-d'Oisans (TransIsère network). During the event, additional shuttles may be provided.
Registration
Registration for La Mégavalanche is limited to 1,500 participants for the main race. Places are highly sought after and fill up quickly. Registration is done online on the official website. A medical certificate or a valid competitive MTB license is mandatory.
Prices
- Mégavalanche MTB / e-MTB: €105 to €125
- Mega Kids (7-16 years): €25 to €29
- Mega Draisienne (2-5 years): €5
Accommodation
Alpe d'Huez offers a wide range of accommodation: hotels, tourist residences, apartments, chalets, and campsites. It is strongly recommended to book well in advance, as the event attracts many participants and spectators.
Mandatory Equipment
Participants must be equipped with a mountain bike in good condition, a certified full-face helmet, back and body protection, gloves, and goggles. The detailed regulations are available on the official website.
Contact
Organizer: UCC Sport Event
Official website: ucc-sportevent.com
Registration: engage-sports.com
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Mégavalanche
Alpe d'Huez - Pic Blanc