Défi de l’Olympe is an uphill endurance race in Méribel, held in early April as the winter sports season concludes. The format is straightforward and demanding: participants have six hours to complete as many ascents as possible on a 3.5 km timed climb with 520 m of elevation gain. It is open to all, with options to compete solo, as a team, or in a one-climb version for those seeking the challenge without the full six-hour commitment.
The climb extends from Brides-les-Bains to the village of Les Allues, with only the uphill portion timed. Following each ascent, competitors take the Olympe cable car down in approximately seven minutes, making the race focused on repeated climbing rather than downhill management. The event is part of Méribel’s broader winter schedule, which covers federal races, French championships, international events, cross-country skiing, biathlon, para-athlete competitions, ski mountaineering, and other vertical challenges. This diverse schedule allows for a mix of seasoned mountain athletes, developing racers, local participants, and individuals testing their limits on a single demanding climb.