Chamonix Culinary and Trail Running Vacation with Gregory Gourdet
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jul 22 - 28, 2026 | 7 days - 6 nights |
Run the iconic trails of Chamonix, France and Courmayeur, Italy and enjoy the culinary delights of these regions with James Beard Award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet and pro runner Willie McBride.
We are excited to host this guided Chamonix trail running tour, taking in our favorite mountain restaurants, bars and cafés – as well as the region’s famous trails. Joining us is award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet, who runs two world-renowned restaurants: Maison Passerelle in New York City, and Restaurant Kann in Portland, Oregon.
As well as being one of the world’s great chefs, Gregory is a long-distance trail runner, and he’s excited to experience trails in the Alps for the first time! Gregory’s good friend, Willie McBride, will also join the vacation. Willie is no stranger to trail running in the Alps, and is founder of Portland, Oregon’s The Wellness Movement for All, a coaching and fitness service. Both Gregory and Willie advocate for inclusiveness in trail running, and are great fun to be around!
With winding trails below towering mountain peaks, the Alps are famous for trail running. And excellent infrastructure such as mountain trains and trams provide easy access and options each day. We’ve picked the best trail running routes to get a good taste of the region – including a day trail running in Italy followed by dinner at a restaurant in the quaint town of Courmayeur.
On this level 2 tour, we’ll run in the northern Italian Alps, then explore exceptional trails in Chamonix, France and even stay overnight in the Refuge Albert Premier, a high mountain hut beside a glacier at 8870ft. Our routes include some technical terrain and long climbs and descents of well over 3000ft. We’ll be fast-hiking the uphills, and on some days there is the option to take a gondola to reduce the vert. Everyone on this tour needs to have prior experience with days out running on rocky trails.
Throughout the tour we’ll experience culinary highlights wherever we go. We’ll stop for lunch at rustic mountain refuges, enjoy tarts and café au lait at our favorite cafés, and dine in some of the best restaurants in Chamonix and Coumayeur. We’ll try both traditional and modern French and Italian dishes, nearly always including local fresh produce. One evening, we’ll even have dinner at a private chalet just outside of Chamonix, planned and cooked by Gregory.
We’ll have local juice and wine tastings, visit a small organic dairy farm, and shop at the weekly farmers market in Chamonix. We won’t miss out on Chamonix’s biggest sights, either. We’ll take the tram up to the 12,600ft high Aiguille du Midi, and spend an afternoon at the town’s spa.
Apart from the overnight adventure to the Refuge Albert Premier, you’ll be staying in a wonderful spa hotel in Chamonix center, where an extensive breakfast buffet is provided each morning.
Top photos: Kim Strom, Sam Hill
Book this tour
$7290 per person
$700 Single Supplement
Itinerary
Welcome to Chamonix, France! (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1 - Chamonix
A shared shuttle takes you from Geneva Airport to your 4-star hotel in Chamonix. In the early evening, there’ll be a welcome gathering to meet Gregory, your guide and the rest of your group. Dinner will be in town at Le Petit Monchu.
Checking out Courmayeur, Italy. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 2 - Courmayeur
Today we’ll take a taxi through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy, and start our run in Val Veny – a stunning balcony trail back to Courmayeur. Dinner is at the Hotel Courmayeur Mont Blanc Cable Car restaurant, then an evening taxi will take us back to our hotel in Chamonix.
Watching the sun go down from the Refuge Albert Premier. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 3 - Albert Premier Hut
We’ll visit La Ferme de Vallorcine, an organic dairy farm, then have lunch at Restaurant La Crèmerie du Glacier. In the afternoon we’ll fast-hike up to a stunning, high elevation mountain hut, Refuge Albert Premier, where we spend the night.
The trail from Albert Premier. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 4 - Chamonix
After breakfast at the hut, we’ll run down to Chamonix. We’ll visit the popular weekly farmers market that takes place this morning, then have the afternoon off. In the evening we’ll gather at The Hub Chamonix for a unique and fun Silent Session and a dinner designed and prepared by Gregory.
The famous view from Lac Blanc. (Photo: Toni Spasenoski)
Day 5 - Chamonix
Today we’ll run the iconic Balcon Sud trail – a high traverse with big views of the Mont Blanc massif, taking in the picturesque Lac Blanc. In the afternoon we’ll spend time at Chamonix’s QC Terme Spa.
How it feels running the Balcon Nord. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 6 - Chamonix
We’ll visit the dramatic Aiguille du Midi, above Chamonix at 3842 meters (12,600 ft) then have lunch at Refuge Plan de l’Aiguille. We’ll run the Grand Balcon Nord, a high traverse to the Mer de Glace glacier, then later have a wine tasting and celebratory dinner in town at a special restaurant.
Breakfast before parting ways. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 7 - Depart from Chamonix
After breakfast at our hotel, we say au revoir to the Alps, our tour friends, Gregory and Willie, and our guides. A shared shuttle transfer is provided to Geneva airport.
Regional map
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- Daily runs and activities with special guests Gregory Gourdet and Willie McBride
- 5 nights at a 4-star spa hotel and 1 night at a mountain hut
- All breakfasts, lunch and dinners, and premium nutrition on the trail.
- Roundtrip Geneva Airport-Chamonix shared shuttle transfers
- All transfers to and from trailheads that are included on our planned itinerary
- Two days of professional photography on the trails, with images provided to you license-free
- Chamonix QC Terme Spa entry
- Aiguille du Midi lift ticket
- Arrival apéritif
- Wine tasting
- A copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, with 80+ pages of Alps trail running information, trip prep advice and tips from Run the Alps staff and guides
- An in-country welcome pack – includes trail nutrition, a bottle of wine from the 4-time UTMB® winner and winemaker François D’Haene and a Run the Alps T-shirt (Note: You can choose to opt out of the T-shirt during registration; if you do, we’ll automatically donate the equivalent to one of our 1% for the Planet partners instead.)
- Personalized support before and during your tour
- 20% discount code for the Run the Alps store
- 20% discount code at The Hub Chamonix for pre- or post-tour accommodation
- Contribution to our Net Positive initiatives
- Flights
- Transport to and from trailheads if you shorten a run
- Drinks with dinners
- Extra charges made at accommodations, such as room service or laundry
- Trip Insurance
- Tips for guides
Plan to arrive the day your tour starts, at the latest. The closest airport is Geneva, Switzerland. Note that flights from the US usually arrive on the following day, so schedule accordingly. This tour includes a shared shuttle pickup from Geneva Airport. If you’d like to arrive a day or more before the tour starts, the shuttle is still included.
Plan your departure for the day the tour ends at the earliest. Since Geneva Airport is only ninety minutes away by shuttle, it is possible to leave the day the tour ends. If your flight departure time is before 9:30am, a private shuttle is required at an added cost of $240.
- Want to extend your trip with more running? We can help provide self-guided run descriptions for nearby regions of the Alps, and/or trail race options.
- Concerned about being ready? We’re here to help. Check out our Alps Training Resources or get in touch if you’d like to be put in touch with a coach.
- Can a non-running partner join me on this tour? Yes – read how hiking and sightseeing companions can come too.
- Celebrating a special occasion? Each year we get a number of guests who are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or retirement with a Run the Alps trip. If this is you, let us know!
- Tour Balance: Your tour balance is due 90 days before your tour starts. We will send you an invoice about a month before that due date. However, you can pay your balance at any time. If you’d like the simplicity of paying in full sooner, or would like to pay in installments, please contact us.
- Trip Insurance: Life can sometimes throw us a curveball and wreak havoc upon the best laid plans, which is why Run the Alps requires trip insurance. Learn more here.
- Terms and Conditions: You can read up on them here.
Guides for this Tour
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