Ski mountaineers climb a steep snowy slope at the base of a rocky cliff.With skis on their backpacks and poles in hand, participants climb a narrow snowy slope along an impressive rock face during La Grande Trace in Le Dévoluy.
©La Grande Trace Winter in Le Dévoluy|OT Le Dévoluy

La Grande Trace 1st March 2026

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It’s an institution, the oldest ski mountaineering race in France.
La Grande Trace is held every other year in Le Dévoluy in 2026.
A team or individual race, it is one of the great international ski mountaineering races, bringing together the best athletes in the discipline.
It is an authentic race with wild and technical routes. The chourums, the natural caves of Dévoluy, are an integral part of the routes.

Registration for the French championship will be open from 8am on Wednesday 14 January 2026.

La Grande Trace The event

La Grande Trace winter will host the French ski mountaineering individual championships (U16/U18 and U20 categories and seniors).

Originally scheduled to take place in Arêches-Beaufort on January 11, the French Championships have been postponed due to unfavourable weather and snow conditions. They will therefore be held during La Grande Trace winter.

As befits the DNA of La Grande Trace, the course will be wild and technical, with a special focus on the chourums of Dévoluy.

The French Team Cup has been cancelled. The open race will continue.

For runners who have already registered, the organisers are offering 3 options:

  • Individual registration on March 1 (approx. 1850m D+),
  • Or a postponement to the Serre Che Glacier at the end of March 2027,
  • Or a refund.
Poster of La Grande Trace 2026 featuring a ski mountaineer climbing a snowy slope beneath the cliffs of Le Dévoluy.Official poster of La Grande Trace 2026, hosting the French Individual Ski Mountaineering Championship in Le Dévoluy on March 1, 2026, highlighting athletes climbing through the mountain terrain.
©La Grande Trace 2026 in Le Dévoluy – French Individual Championship

In pictures

Ski mountaineers walk through a snowy rocky passage beneath a natural stone arch.With skis on their backs and poles in hand, participants cross a technical section of rocks and snow beneath a spectacular natural stone arch during La Grande Trace in Le Dévoluy.
©La Grande Trace Winter in Le Dévoluy|OT Le Dévoluy
A long line of ski mountaineers moves across a snowy slope below high cliffs.Participants progress in single file across a wide pristine slope, overlooked by towering limestone cliffs during La Grande Trace in Le Dévoluy.
©La Grande Trace Winter in Le Dévoluy|OT Le Dévoluy
Ski mountaineers hiking beneath a natural rock arch through a steep snowy passage.Participants tackle the famous Heroic Crossing, a technical section beneath a natural arch that is emblematic of the La Grande Trace Winter route.
©La Grande Trace Winter in Le Dévoluy|OT Le Dévoluy
Ski mountaineers preparing their gear in foggy conditions on a snowy ridge.In whiteout and misty conditions, participants adjust their equipment before continuing along the demanding La Grande Trace Winter route.
©La Grande Trace Winter in Le Dévoluy|Gontran Isnard
Ski mountaineers roped together climbing through a steep rocky and snowy section with fixed lines.Participants tackle the Heroic Crossing, a technical and committed roped section that is emblematic of the La Grande Trace Winter route in Le Dévoluy.
©La Grande Trace Winter in Le Dévoluy|OT Le Dévoluy
A ski mountaineering participant moves through a snowy rocky gully beneath a natural rock arch.A competitor tackles the Heroic Crossing, an iconic and technical section of the La Grande Trace Winter route in Le Dévoluy, between rock and snow.
©La Grande Trace Winter in Le Dévoluy|OT Le Dévoluy

    La Grande Trace Practical info

    A unique route

    In keeping with the race’s DNA, the route will be marked by a number of equipped technical sections, as well as the crossing of chourums, natural caves unique to the Dévoluy massif. The highest point of the race will be in the foothills of the Bure plateau. It’s a backdrop that will provide the traditional dose of spice.

    Registration will be open HERE!
    No on-site registration.

    Back in pictures

    2024 Edition
    2024 Edition
    🎥 Produced by LBM Visions & Gontran Isnard
    2023 Edition
    2023 Edition
    🎥 Produced by Gontran Isnard & Vivien Wauthier

    Even more emotions

    An illustrator drawing a comic strip at a table, surrounded by comic books during the Les Givrés de la BD event.Scene from the Les Givrés de la BD event in Le Dévoluy. An artist is sketching a comic illustration by hand, with stacks of comic books laid out on the table. The image reflects the creative and friendly atmosphere of the festival.
    ©Les Givrés de la BD|OT Le Dévoluy
    Les Givrés de la BD
    Winter landscape of Le Dévoluy with snow-covered mountains, misty valley and bright sun in the sky.Panoramic winter view of the Le Dévoluy mountain range. Snow-covered peaks overlook a valley filled with mist, illuminated by bright sunlight under a clear blue sky. This spectacular natural setting hosts the Dévol’Ice Trail 2026 event.
    ©Winter landscapes of Le Dévoluy|OT Le Dévoluy
    Hike to the Baumes ridge
    ChourumOlympique_©Thibaut-Blais_Fevrier2019-4.jpg
    Ski touring in the chourums of Dévoluy
    A team of sled dogs pulling a musher across a snowy plateau with the mountains of Le Dévoluy in the background.A sled dog team races across the snow, led by a musher, in the heart of a vast winter landscape. The iconic peaks of Le Dévoluy rise in the background, creating a spectacular setting for this immersive Nordic activity.
    ©Le Dévoluy by dog sled.|OT Le Dévoluy
    Driving a dog sled team
    Linking the Col du Festre to Superdévoluy by cross-country skiing
    Ete_activites_via-souterrata_©Jens-Scheibe_septembre-2021-2.jpg
    ©Jens Scheibe
    Travelling underground
    Winter Events Snow Volley Open Ot Le Devoluy 2024 26Winter Events Snow Volley Open Ot Le Devoluy 2024 26
    ©Winter Events Snow Volley Open Ot Le Devoluy 2024 26|OT Le Dévoluy
    Dévoluy Snow Volleyball Open
    Domaine-nordique_damage_coucher-de-soleil-©OT-Le-Devoluy-17-12-2021_drone-21.jpg
    Snowshoeing in the moonlight
    Odycea les bains du Dévoluy ©arzurmichaëlphotographieOdycea De Nuit ©arzurmichaëlphotographie (11) 1
    ©Odycea les bains du Dévoluy ©arzurmichaëlphotographie|Arzur michael
    Buller à O’dycéa, les bains du Dévoluy
    Domaine-skiable_SKI_©ArzurMichaelPhotographie_BD-3.jpg
    ©Arzur michael
    100 km of downhill skiing
    Winter Ambiance Stations Deambulation Noel Ot Le Devoluy 28 12 2022 17Winter Ambiance Stations Deambulation Noel Ot Le Devoluy 28 12 2022 17
    ©Winter Ambiance Stations Deambulation Noel Ot Le Devoluy 28 12 2022 17
    Christmas enchantment
    Activite_Motoneige_©OTDevoluy_07-01-2020-3.jpg
    ©OT Dévoluy - Photo non contractuelle prise sur terrain autorisé.
    At the controls of a snowmobile