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.It’s an institution, the oldest ski mountaineering race in France.
La Grande Trace is held every other year in Le Dévoluy.
A team or individual race, it is one of the great international ski mountaineering races, bringing together the best athletes in the sport.
It’s an authentic race with wild, technical routes. The chourums, the natural caves of the Dévoluy, are an integral part of the routes.
During La Grande Trace Winter, competitors carry their skis on their backs as they move along a sharp snow-covered ridge. Massive limestone cliffs rise behind them while a sea of clouds fills the valley below.
During La Grande Trace Winter, competitors climb on foot across a sharply angled snow-covered face. Skis are secured to their packs as they rely on poles for balance, surrounded by snowy peaks.
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.
During La Grande Trace Winter, competitors follow a single track across a vast white face. The line stretches upward as snowy peaks rise beyond the cloud layer.
Participants tackle the famous Heroic Crossing, a technical section beneath a natural arch that is emblematic of the La Grande Trace Winter route.
In whiteout and misty conditions, participants adjust their equipment before continuing along the demanding La Grande Trace Winter route.
Participants tackle the Heroic Crossing, a technical and committed roped section that is emblematic of the La Grande Trace Winter route in Le Dévoluy.
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.
Participants progress in single file across a wide pristine slope, overlooked by towering limestone cliffs during La Grande Trace in Le Dévoluy.
