La Grande Odyssée
La Grande Odyssée is one of the world’s greatest sled dog races. On January 10 and 11, Avoriaz will have the honor of hosting the prologue and the grand start of the next edition.
Avoriaz La grande odyssée
La Grande Odyssée
La Grande Odyssée is one of the world’s greatest sled dog races and a must-see event of the winter season in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Inspired by the model of the Tour de France, it crosses nearly twenty resorts, villages and towns in Savoie, Haute-Savoie and Isère, offering spectators a unique sporting spectacle.
As a true international benchmark for mid-mountain mushing, La Grande Odyssée brings together around fifty teams from among the world’s elite, with more than 500 canine athletes. Over more than 400 km of trails and 12,000 meters of elevation gain, mushers must face the demanding alpine terrain and winter conditions, making this one of the most technical races in the world.
Beyond the sporting challenge, La Grande Odyssée fascinates with its authenticity and the emotions it evokes. The bond between mushers and their dogs, the irrepressible energy of the teams, and the festive atmosphere of the starts and finishes are at the heart of the experience. Each stage is designed as a true live performance, with music, staging, and highlights open to the public.
La Grande Odyssée is also a celebration for all: family activities, meetings with mushers, official ceremonies, bivouacs and convivial spaces invite everyone to experience the event from the inside. More than just a competition, it is a celebration of the mountains, nature, and the unique bond between humans and dogs.
Ouverture
From Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 January 2026.
Âge
Tarifs
Free of charge.
Langues
French
Réservation
The Sled Dog Race
Since 2005, La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin has stood out as Europe’s flagship mushing event. Renowned as the most challenging sled dog race on the continent, it unfolds against the breathtaking backdrop of the Alps. This edition will bring together more than 65 mushers and 600 elite dogs, competing over nearly 400 km of trails with a total elevation gain of 12,000 m. Each year, more than 50,000 spectators gather in some twenty festive resorts, towns, and villages across the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region to share in this extraordinary adventure.
Prologue & Stage 1
This new edition will kick off in Avoriaz. On Saturday, January 10, the resort will come alive with a prologue through its snow-covered streets, followed on Sunday by an alpine stage linking Avoriaz to Montriond. Having hosted the event from 2005 to 2011, the resort and its ski area mark a historic return, one filled with meaning and strong symbolism for La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin.
The Program
2025 Race Stages:
- January 10: Avoriaz (Prologue)
- January 11: Avoriaz → Montriond
- January 12: La Chapelle d’Abondance
- January 13: Savoie Grand Revard
- January 14: La Toussuire → Le Corbier
- January 15: Les Karellis
- January 16: Aussois
- January 17: Bessans → Bonneval-sur-Arc → Col du Mont Cenis
- January 18: Val Cenis → Lac du Mont Cenis
- January 19: Col de la Madeleine
- January 20: Les 7 Laux
- January 21: Col de Porte
- January 22: Villard-de-Lans
La Grande Odyssée is the story of a dream, the dream of a great adventure crossing 20 resorts, towns and villages in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Created in January 2005, La Grande Odyssée quickly established itself as the must-see sled dog event in Europe. A true stage race and one of the most demanding of its kind, it unfolds against a unique alpine backdrop found nowhere else in the world.
Each winter, more than 65 mushers from across the globe and their 600 elite canine athletes set off on a course of nearly 400 km, with a total elevation gain of 12,000 m, through the majestic landscapes of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Every year, over 60,000 spectators join this extraordinary adventure, welcomed by 20 resorts, towns, and villages that transform into festive venues, all beating to the rhythm of La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin.
Athlete Dogs
The true stars of La Grande Odyssée, these canine athletes captivate with their endurance, strength, and unique bond with their musher. Bred from lines selected for their sporting abilities, they cover dozens of kilometers each day in the demanding alpine conditions of the race. Trained rigorously throughout the year, they combine speed, stamina, and team spirit. Their well-being is an absolute priority: tailored nutrition, attentive veterinary care, and proper rest are central to their preparation. Beyond performance, they are passionate athletes, driven by a special connection with their musher, embodying the very soul and energy of La Grande Odyssée.
Pedestrian resort
Since its creation, Avoriaz 1800 has been designed as a car-free resort, with a unique concept of a 100% pedestrian village. In winter, people move around on skis through snowy streets where skiers, pedestrians and horse-drawn sleighs share a magical setting. In summer, cars are left behind in favour of walking, cycling or riding a scooter, in a peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere. Everything is within easy reach, surrounded by unspoiled nature. In Avoriaz, freedom and simplicity truly come to life.
Ski area and maps
Avoriaz 1800 is located in the heart of Portes du Soleil, one of the largest cross-border ski areas in the world, where 12 French and Swiss resorts are interconnected.
