Alpine outdoor festivals

ULTRA-TOUR DU MONTBLANC, CHAMONIX, FRANCE

UTMB is the world’s most iconic festival of trail running. Elite athletes including four-time champion Kilian Jornet run a mind-boggling 105 miles around Mont Blanc, cheered on by big crowds, while amateurs take on mountain races ranging 10 to 35 miles. 28 August to 3 September 2023. utmbmontblanc.com

VERBIER E-BIKE FESTIVAL, VERBIER, SWITZERLAND

From gourmet tours to endurance races, this four-day festival is all about the battery-assisted joy of alpine exploration on two wheels. Intrepid riders race 155 miles around Valais canton, while beginners can e-bike on easy downhill tracks before soaking up the cosmopolitan vibes of beautiful Verbier.

10 to 13 August 2023. verbierebikefestival.com

CULINARY WAY OF ST JAMES, PAZNAUN, AUSTRIA

A tantalising combination of fine dining and alpine scenery is on the menu, as top chefs bring their culinary delights to the mountain huts of Paznaun, one of Austria’s best hiking destinations. Over seven routes, participants trek hut-to-hut each day to be rewarded with a foodie masterpiece every night. July to September, 2023. paznaun-ischgl.com