La Transjurassienne — Mythical cross-country ski race

The legendary French cross-country ski race

Born in 1979 from the imagination of Jacky Mandrillon and Georges Berthet, La Transjurassienne has become over the decades the largest popular cross-country ski race in France and one of the major events in world Nordic skiing. Originally named Progressime du Jura, the race took the name Transjurassienne in 1983. The first edition started on February 17, 1980, from Lamoura with 1,750 registered participants, 1,530 of whom finished in Mouthe.

A historic 70 km course between Jura and Doubs

The historic route of La Transjurassienne connects Lamoura (Jura) to Mouthe (Doubs) over approximately 70 kilometers, crossing the most beautiful landscapes of the Jura massif: fir and spruce forests, snowy valleys, panoramic ridges with views of Mont-Blanc, high-altitude pastures, and typical villages of the Haut-Jura. This emblematic route, last used in 2019, is highly dependent on snow conditions, which are becoming increasingly difficult due to climate change.

Adapting to endure

Facing the challenges of global warming, La Transjurassienne has had to adapt its routes in recent years. Canceled in 2024 due to lack of snow, the race returned in 2025 on a secured 13 km loop around Les Rousses, to be completed three times. In 2026, the course was set between Lamoura and Les Rousses over 50 km, with the hope of one day returning to the historic 70 km format to Mouthe if conditions permit. The organizers prioritize natural snowfall to remain true to the spirit of the event.

An international event

A member of Worldloppet (the world circuit of long-distance cross-country ski races) and Visma Ski Classics, La Transjurassienne attracts skiers from all over the world. The event unfolds over a full weekend with several races: the Transjurassienne (main event in skating or classic), the Marathon (intermediate distance), the Trail Blanc (snow running race), and other formats. For over 45 years, the Transju' has embodied the spirit of popular Nordic skiing and the wild beauty of the Jura Mountains.