Category: Friends

A long, alpine valley tucked away on Switzerland’s border with Austria and Italy, the Engadin is a special place – quieter, wilder and more remote than much of the rest of the Swiss Alps.

“I didn’t come from a mountain background.” Mike Ambrose wasn’t kidding. Growing up in Washington Township, New Jersey, about 30 miles from Philadelphia, meant that the nearest rugged terrain was a nearly a day’s drive north. “The biggest adventure you can have in Southern New Jersey is trying out a new chain restaurant.” Add to … Continued

Sometimes, ever so rarely, the stars align. Run the Alps, in partnership with PatitucciPhoto, Swiss publisher Helvetiq, and freelance writer Kim Strom, is pleased to announce that together we will be producing a new book featuring some of the best trail runs to be found anywhere in the Swiss Alps. I could not be happier … Continued

Run the Alps friend Katie Schide likes vertical. Steep, unrelenting vertical. A PhD candidate at ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), Schide found herself in Piotta, Switzerland, this past May 20, ready to run the steepest staircase in the world. Just what is the experience like? Schide sent us this report — and a few … Continued

Run the Alps ambassador Maartje Bastings shared this story about her recent trail race in the wild and beautiful Engadine region of Switzerland. Here’s her story. Do you know that feeling… Running on new trails, not knowing where the path will take you? Then, you turn a corner, and you find some of the most stunning views you’ve … Continued

Salomon. Within the trail running community, there is probably no better known word. Well, maybe Kilian, but he is part of Salomon too, after all. For years, Salomon has been leading in gear and shoes of all kinds. The company originated in Annecy, France, in 1947. It is there, in Annecy, where 16 lucky trail runners from all over … Continued

Some years ago, I remember Salomon’s Rickey Gates talking about losing a shoe in the mud at one of the most prestigious trail races in the Alps, Sierre-Zinal. The year was 2009, and he was in the lead group with a young runner named Kilian Jornet. It was a twist of fate that cost him, … Continued

With 2016’s race around Mont Blanc fresh in her mind, Run the Alps participant Sarah Hansel sat down and shared her thoughts about the event. As we head into another season of trail running—with many of us eyeing one or both of the two major, upcoming race series based in Chamonix—we thought you’d enjoy her story.  It has … Continued

Trail running is happening in Chamonix—and in a big way. Thanks to hundreds of kilometers of dramatic trails and several high-profile trail race series, the valley is a bright beacon to mountain runners around the world. Most trail runners experience Chamonix valley during the peak summer months, when the town is a beehive of rock … Continued

It’s that time of year… we’re itching to be trail running in the Alps! Thanks to a relatively low snow year and recent warm temperatures, trail running season is coming early to the Alps. From Chamonix, France, to Grindelwald, Switzerland, our guides and ambassadors have already been out and about. Before we get really busy … Continued