At the height of the winter season, French ski resorts are popular with tourists from all over the world. Many animations and events are proposed everywhere, but there is one appointment I must not miss: the Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc. This exceptional dog sled race, which celebrates its 15th edition this year, brings together 25 of the world's best mushers in 8 stages across the Savoy Alps between 12 and 23 January 2019. The opportunity to pass through charming villages and observe magnificent panoramas
The race begins with a crossing of the Giffre and Chablais massifs, followed by the inevitable challenge in Megève and a journey through Savoie, from Pralognan la Vanoise to La Plagne and the Grand Revard, to finish in Bessans and Bonneval-sur-Arc. More than 50,000 spectators are on the passages and many animations allow to approach the dogs, to understand the work of the mushers and to live in the heart of a polar base. A Children's Odyssey is even organised at Praz de Lys-Sommand in the Giffre mountains. The dogs in all this are pampered, a vet takes care of them, takes care of their food and their precious pads
Attacking the Grand Massif
For this 15th edition, the start of the race will be given in Samoëns in Haute-Savoie with a prologue revealing all the crews. Samoëns is the perfect image of an authentic mountain village that has managed to preserve its mountain character, with its traditional architecture, its chalets and ancient stone buildings, but also its fountains and sundials, while focusing on winter sports. Despite its altitude at 720 metres in the Giffre plain, a tributary of the Arve, it takes just eight minutes to reach the slopes of the Grand Massif express ski area. Samoëns is the country of the craftsmen, the famous stonemasons, the Frahans, who participated in the construction in France and Europe of churches, monasteries and large public buildings. Samoëns is today a reasonably priced family resort, popular in the good sense of the word. In addition, the creation of the Grand Massif domain and the development of mountain leisure activities has given Samoëns a real new lease of life, without making it lose most of its most pleasant tourist line: the resort is the only mountain resort to be classified as a "Land of Art and History" by the Historical Monuments. A village which therefore offers many advantages for a stay combining visits to a rich heritage in a splendid setting and outdoor activities in the surrounding mountains.
After this prologue, the 1st stage will start at Praz-de-Lys Sommand, both a solarium and an exceptional belvedere. It's a charming resort that's worth a visit. This is not the first time that Praz-de-Lys Sommand has seen sled dogs, since various competitions are held during the winter season, where you can also enjoy dog sledding, snowmobiling or snowshoeing, as well as speed riding and paragliding.
The 2nd stage will take place in Morillon. The village is located on the banks of the Giffre, thus the major tributary of the Arve, only a few kilometres downstream from the resort of Samoëns. In recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of this station, which until then had been rather discreet. With a growing number of beds, Morillon is becoming a renowned resort, linked to the Grand Massif domain, well anchored in the "family" niche and oriented towards a certain standing. With a tight town centre around the beautiful church of Saint-Christophe and numerous hamlets scattered in the mountains, Morillon has managed to retain the discreet and sometimes opulent charm of a mountain village that has become prosperous. For the race, the mushers will be walking through the superb landscapes of the Grand Massif. A vast domain, the second largest in the whole of Haute-Savoie after the Portes du Soleil.
The third stage will pass through the station in Les Gets. Despite the development of skiing, the resort has benefited from a reasonable and environmentally friendly real estate development and the ski lifts have been ISO 14001 certified since 2008. The resort also gives pride of place to families by offering infrastructures and services adapted to the youngest members of the family.
From Megeve to La Plagne
As usual, the 4th stage will take place in Megève, one of the leading international winter sports resorts in Haute-Savoie. This authentic mountain village, which has become one of the most exclusive resorts in the Alps (along with Courchevel), has managed to preserve its original charm by combining the harmony of its typical architectural style - despite the outdated image of sleighs and carriages for chic customers and the flashy décor of luxury shops - with the authenticity of its landscape. It can be discovered at the bend of a rustic alleyway, a steep ascent or from a stone bridge under which a torrent roars as it winds its way through unspoilt nature.
The race, for the 5th stage, will take place in Pralognan-la-Vanoise. Surrounded by 30 peaks over 3,000 metres high, it is a majestic open door to the Vanoise National Nature Park. Marmots, mountain huts, fabulous panoramas, here is pure pleasure to enjoy the race and watch the sleds go by.
The 6th stage will also take place in a mythical French resort: La Plagne. In the heart of the Paradiski area (which links La Plagne to Les Arcs), the snow sports enthusiasts will be delighted.
From Val Cenis to Bonneval-sur-Arc
The 7th stage will take place between Val Cenis and its splendid lake. Located at an altitude of 1,974 m, it is not far from the Italian border. In the Middle Ages, it was in fact the busiest passage between France and Italy. La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc will again find a choice expression ground for this 15th edition.
On Tuesday 22nd January, the final stage in Savoie Grand Revard will see the final sprint start from La Féclaz. Imagine a large mountain village, huge expanses on a plateau, between forests and gaps to dominate the surrounding mountains, this is the spot of choice to finish the race in beauty ... A little Canada that surprises!
Finally, to finish on a high note, place at the Ski-Joëring Trophy on Wednesday 23rd January. The race will start from Bessans, whose plain, dedicated to cross-country skiing, contrasts with the majestic mountains that surround the village. Bessans a whole story. Burned down during the Second World War, only a few original houses remain, hidden in alleys. It's up to you to discover them! Its many chapels are a reminder that you are on the road to Baroque. Village of local artists for centuries, Bessans continues this tradition. Around it, small lakes at altitude, steep cliffs, glacial moraines, mountain pastures and pebbles recall the eventful geological history of the local valleys. Chamois, ibex, golden eagle and marmot are among the endemic species of the flora of Mont-Cenis. It will then be time to set course for the finish line at Bonneval-sur-Arc. Here, history has stopped. 247 inhabitants at over 1,700 m altitude. Rough and rough country, former avalanche country, it is softened by the warmth of the welcome and its enchanting beauty. It's up to you to tame it and applaud the heroes who will pass the chequered flag.
Smart info
When? If you can enjoy all winter long the great white expanses of Savoie, to attend the Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc, meet on the course between January 12th and 23rd.
Getting there. By plane, train or car, anything is possible to get to one or more stages of the route.
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