Boréalys Mont-Tremblant by UTMB
Boréalys Mont-Tremblant by UTMB – Diable 20K
Village Tremblant
Race guide
Updated 18 July 2026
The Diable 20K is the short-distance race at Boréalys Mont-Tremblant by UTMB, and despite its modest name it packs a serious 1457 m of climbing into 27 km. Starting and finishing in Village Tremblant (291 m) at the foot of the resort, the loop climbs hard to Pic White at 849 m before dropping to Base Nord and returning to the village — a steep, punchy day that plays out on the ski slopes and forest trails of Québec's Laurentians. This is a race defined by its climb-to-distance ratio. With more than 1400 m of ascent over a course barely longer than a half marathon, the Diable rewards strong hikers and confident downhill runners. There is a single cut-off at Base Nord (Saturday 11:45), so the challenge is less about beating the clock and more about surviving the vertical.
The Course and Terrain
From the start in Village Tremblant at 291 m, the Diable 20K climbs almost without pause to its high point at Pic White (6.5 km, 849 m) — a gain of well over 500 m in the first quarter of the race. From the summit the course descends to Base Nord (13.5 km, 355 m), the only intermediate checkpoint and the site of the cut-off, before turning back toward the village and the finish at 26.6 km and 289 m. The terrain is classic Tremblant resort trail: steep ski-run climbs, technical forest singletrack, and rooty, rocky descents typical of the Laurentian Shield. With only three waypoints across the loop — start, Pic White and Base Nord — the profile is essentially one big climb, one long descent, and a rolling return, so there is nowhere to hide from the vertical and no long flat runnable section to recover on.
Where the Race Is Decided
The Diable is settled on the opening climb to Pic White. Gaining more than 550 m in the first 6.5 km, this ascent is where the race sorts itself out — go too hard and you will pay on the technical descent and the rolling second half; hold back too much and you leave time on the table. The summit at 849 m is the emotional and physical crux of the day. The descent from Pic White to Base Nord then tests a completely different skill set. Dropping nearly 500 m to the 355 m checkpoint at 13.5 km, it rewards runners who can descend fast and confidently on technical, rooty ground while sparing their quads for the return leg to the village. Between Base Nord and the finish the course rolls back up toward Village Tremblant, and it is here — with tired legs and the bulk of the climbing behind — that steady runners reel in those who overcooked the summit push.
How to Pace and Fuel It
With just one cut-off at Base Nord (13.5 km, Saturday 11:45), the Diable 20K is not primarily a race against the clock for most runners — but that cut-off is a useful checkpoint to confirm you are on schedule after the big climb and descent. The smartest pacing plan treats the ascent to Pic White as a controlled effort: hike the steep pitches efficiently rather than burning matches trying to run them, and save your energy for running the descent and the rolling return. Because the whole race is short, aid is sparse — plan to carry your own fluid and a few gels or chews to get you over Pic White and down to Base Nord, and top up there for the run home. Fuel early rather than waiting until you are deep in the climb; the sustained ascent in the first 6.5 km makes it easy to fall behind on calories. On the technical descent, eat on the smoother sections where you can afford to look away from your feet, and keep sipping through the rolling final stretch back to Village Tremblant.
Conditions to Expect
Set in the Laurentians of Québec, the Diable 20K runs on ski-resort terrain that is heavily forested and can be humid, with the potential for warm, muggy conditions or sudden mountain showers. The tree cover offers shade on much of the climb and descent, but the exposed upper sections near Pic White at 849 m can be windier and cooler than the village below — a light layer is worth carrying even on a warm day. Underfoot, expect the roots, rocks and loose ground characteristic of Laurentian singletrack, which become genuinely slick when wet. Shoes with reliable grip make a real difference on both the steep climb and the technical descent to Base Nord. Respect the vertical, pace the opening ascent to Pic White with discipline, and the Diable 20K delivers a big-mountain challenge in a compact, spectator-friendly package right at the heart of the Tremblant resort.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 291 m · —
6.5 km · 849 m · —
13.5 km · 355 m · Sat 11:45
26.6 km · 289 m · —
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