During the winter season, French ski resorts are popular with tourists from all over the world. Numerous events and activities are proposed everywhere, but there is an appointment not to be missed : La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc. This exceptional dog sled race, which celebrates its 18th edition this year, pits 26 of the world's best mushers against each other during 10 stages through the Savoyard Alps between January 8th and 19th 2022. It is an opportunity to cross charming villages and to observe grandiose panoramas
La Grande Odyssée, aunique race
La Grande Odyssée is a unique race in the world which pits mushers' teams against each other over nearly 400 km in 10 stages for... 12,000 meters of positive altitude difference! An exceptional race over 11 days that will attract tens of thousands of spectators, after a 2021 race without public for health reasons. As the mushers pass by, there will be numerous activities to help you understand their work, get closer to the dogs and experience life at the heart of a polar base. A children's Odyssey is even organised in Praz de Lys-Sommand in the Giffre mountains. The dogs in all this are pampered, a vet looks after them, takes care of their food and their precious paw pads
Let's take on the Grand Massif!
For this 18th edition, all the participants will meet in Samoëns in Haute-Savoie with a prologue revealing all the crews on Saturday 8 January. 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 its ancient stone buildings, but also its fountains and its sundials, while focusing on winter sports. Despite its altitude of 720 metres on the Giffre plain, a tributary of the Arve, it takes only eight minutes to get to the Grand Massif ski area once you're on the Grand Massif express. Samoëns is the land of the craftsmen, the famous stone masons, the Frahans, who took part in the construction of churches, monasteries and large public buildings in France and Europe. Samoëns is today a family resort with reasonable prices, popular in the good sense of the word. Moreover, the creation of the Grand Massif domain and the development of mountain leisure activities have given Samoëns a new lease of life, without losing the essence of its most pleasant tourist attraction: the resort is the only one of the mountain resorts to be classified as a "Country of Art and History" by the Historic Monuments. A village that 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 (January 9th) will start in Morillon. The village is located on the banks of the Giffre, the major tributary of the Arve, just a few kilometres downstream from the resort of Samoëns. For a few years now, we have been witnessing the blossoming of this resort which was previously rather discreet. With a growing number of beds, Morillon is on the way to becoming a renowned resort, linked to the Grand Massif domain, well anchored in the "family" niche and oriented towards a certain standing. With a town centre squeezed around the beautiful church of Saint-Christophe and numerous hamlets scattered in the mountains, Morillon has managed to keep the discreet and sometimes cosy charm of a mountain village that has become prosperous. For the race, the mushers will walk through the superb landscapes of the Grand Massif. A vast domain, the second largest in the Haute-Savoie after the Portes du Soleil.
Then, the2nd stage (January 10th) will start in Praz-de-Lys Sommand, both solarium and exceptional belvedere. It's a resort full of charm that's well worth a visit. This is not the first time that Praz-de-Lys Sommand has seen sled dogs, as 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.
The3rd stage (January 11th) will take place in the resort of Les Gets. Despite the development of skiing, the resort has benefited from a reasonable and environmentally friendly real estate development. The resort is also very family-friendly, offering infrastructures and services adapted to the youngest.
From Megève to La Plagne
As usual, the4th stage (12 January) will take place in Megève, one of the first 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 initial charm by combining the harmony of its typical architectural style - despite the outdated image of sleighs and horse-drawn carriages for chic customers and the flashy décor of luxury shops - with the authenticity of its landscape. You can discover it at the bend of a rustic alleyway, a steep climb or from a stone bridge under which a torrent rumbles through unspoilt nature.
For the5th stage (13 January), the race will take place in Valmorel. The town attracts the eye with its reminder of Sardinian-inspired architecture made of wood and slate. Arcades, trompe-l'oeil and a unique pedestrian street give it a friendly atmosphere. To make matters worse, the 165 km of pistes are very pleasant and offer magnificent views between 1,250 m and 2,550 m altitude.
The 6th stage (14 January) will take place on the Nordic site of Peisey-Vallandry, in the heart of the Paradiski area (which links La Plagne to Les Arcs). This is one of the largest and most popular ski areas in France: with no less than 425 kilometres of runs, there's plenty to do for skiing fans!
The 7th stage (January 15) will take place in Pralognan-la-Vanoise. Surrounded by 30 peaks over 3,000 metres in altitude, it is a majestic gateway to the Vanoise National Park. Marmots, mountain refuges, fabulous panoramas, pure pleasure to enjoy the race and to watch the sleds go by.
Final sprint in Haute Maurienne Vanoise, the historic terrain of the Grande Odyssée
The 8th stage (January 16th) will start from Bessans, whose plain, dedicated to cross-country skiing, contrasts with the majestic mountains that surround the village. Bessans has a whole history. Burnt down during the Second World War, only a few of the original houses remain, hidden in the narrow streets. It's up to you to discover them! Its many chapels remind you that you are on the path of the Baroque. Bessans has been a village of local artists for centuries and continues this tradition. All around, small high altitude lakes, steep cliffs, glacial moraines, alpine pastures and rocky outcrops are a reminder of the eventful geological history of the valleys around here. Chamois, ibex, golden eagle, marmot, and endemic species of the Mont-Cenis flora. Then it's time to head for Bonneval-sur-Arc, where history has come to a standstill. 250 inhabitants at an altitude of over 1,700 m. A harsh and rugged country, formerly a land of avalanches, it is softened by the warmth of the welcome and its enchanting beauty
The 9th stage will take place in Aussois on 17 January. A village resort perched at an altitude of 1,500 m, located at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, on the southern slopes, this is an authentic Savoyard village and a resort with the "Famille Plus" label.
Then it's time for the final sprint during the 10th stage, which will be held over two days (18 and 19 January) between Val Cenis, its splendid lake, its polar base for the bivouac... Situated at an altitude of 1,974 m, Val Cenis is not far from the Italian border. In the Middle Ages, it was the most frequented passage between France and Italy. La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc will thus find again a great place to express itself for this 18th edition. It's up to you to tame it and to applaud the heroes who will pass the chequered flag!
Smart info
When is it? If you can enjoy all winter long the white expanses of Savoie, to attend the 2022 edition of La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc, meet on the course between January 8th and 19th.
How to get there. By plane, train or car, everything is possible to get to one or several stages of the 400 km long course.
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