We’re off again on the Grande Odysée 2017

Dogs and men, athletes of the very highest level

22 men and women, of which 12 are french, as many trainers and nearly 500 dogs left on the 8th January late afternoon. In Samoens¹, a pretty village resort in the Grand Massif, the 13th episode of the Grande Odysee took off, with a first round which finished at night in temperatures of minus 10 degrees celcius.
 
At over 20km an hour average speed and nearly 20 000 metres climbing altitude, the 10 stages will go on until the 18th January. To be noted, the Grande Odysée 2017 will pass through the Vanoise² national park on Thursday the 12th January and that two bivouacs are planned on a Polar Base at 2000 m altitude, opposite the frozen Lake Mont Cenis. Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th January, it is the village of Val Cenis³ that will host the competition.
 

2 weeks of activities in the resorts

On the leisure front, holidaymakers and school kids can participate in trying to pilot the dog sleds, constructing igloos and other trappeur style activities. There will also be films and themed expositions proposed by the 22 resorts and villages of the Grande-Odysée Savoie Mont-Blanc, for those that are passionate about everything to do with the Mountains.
 
The 'gourmands' among us will also be happy, around camp fires, fondus, raclettes or giant tartiflettes will be on offer with a large serving of vin chaud !