Rawk the Alps with Jen Hansard
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jul 21 - 29, 2025 | 9 days - 8 nights |
Run highlights of the Mont Blanc region with Jen Hansard, founder of Simple Green Smoothies. Based in Chamonix and Courmayeur, Italy, Jen and her guests will run some of our favorite trails including sections of the Tour du Mont-Blanc.
Without a doubt, Chamonix, France is the world’s trail running epicenter. This alpine town at the base of Mont Blanc hosts a series of internationally acclaimed trail races and has one of the largest trail running clubs in the world. Even Mayor Eric Fournier is a trail runner! If you’re a longtime trail runner, at some point, you really should make a pilgrimage to Chamonix.
We’ve teamed up with Jen Hansard to offer this level 2 trail running experience which would suit those who have some experience trail running and are comfortable with 11 – 19km (7-12 miles) running each day, often on rocky trails, with up to 5000ft vert. There will also be time to enjoy the cultural and culinary delights of this French Alpine region. Vegetarian and vegan options are available at most restaurants in Chamonix and Courmayeur.
We’re excited to welcome Jen to the Alps! Her story is one many of us can relate to: the stress of raising a family combined with too much caffeine and processed foods were pointing her in the wrong direction. Then she discovered green smoothies, her gateway to a healthier life. She embraced this daily healthy habit to fuel her body so she could chase her passion: the great outdoors.
“Rawkstars” is the unique name for Jen’s community, who get excited to blend raw fruits and vegetables into smoothies. Here, “Raw” means close to nature, minimally processed and nutrient dense.
Learn more about Jen on her website, and join more than 350,000 followers on her instagram account.
Jen loves to run across the Grand Canyon, tackle ambitious hikes in National Parks with her family and backpack in the Rocky Mountains.
In Chamonix and Courmayeur, Italy, Jen and her guests will run some of the hundreds of miles of world-class trails. The region is a magnet for trail runners from around the world, many of whom now call these mountains home. Here, you can run past glaciers, take a break at a mountain cafe, and ride some of the world’s most impressive cable cars and mountain trains—sometimes all in the same day!
Our itinerary highlights many of these classic high trails, the best of the Tour du Mont-Blanc route, and takes you through three countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland. We’ll stop at mountain huts to enjoy a café au lait, freshly baked tarts, and other delicious local delicacies. There will be time throughout the week to stroll through the pedestrian-friendly towns and check out the local shops. Your hotels feature excellent spas in which to relax and recover after an epic day on the trails. Dinners are multi-course meals that feature local French, Italian and Swiss specialties, and are hearty and delicious. We will leave one evening in Chamonix free, giving each guest an opportunity to explore the wide range of local dinner options and pick a favorite.
In this video Run the Alps staff and friends show you around our home of Chamonix, France.
Please note: Day-to-day itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions. All route distances and vertical are approximate. Most days you’ll have the option to shorten the runs.
Header photos: Sam Hill
Book this tour
$5690 per person
$980 single supplement
*Couples or friends who register together will receive the discounted trip price of $5,390/person. This is a $600 savings per couple or $300/person.
Make it privately guided
Prefer to go guided with your own group? Inquire here.
Go self-guided
Run on your own schedule, without a guide, and let us take care of the logistics! See details here.
Itinerary
Welcome to Chamonix, France! (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1
Arrive at the Geneva, Switzerland airport (GVA) and take a 90-minute shared shuttle transfer to Chamonix, France. We’ll meet with our guide at 6pm before enjoying your first dinner together at a restaurant in town.
Views from the run. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 2
We’ll trail run one of the most famous trails in the Alps, the Grand Balcon Sud, and visit Lac Blanc, high above the Chamonix valley.
Aiguillette des Posettes. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 3
We’ll take a private taxi to Trient, Switzerland and then run back over the border to Chamonix, past the wild-feeling, high-elevation pastures and summits of Catogne, Croix de Fer, and Aiguillette des Posettes.
Mer de Glace. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 4
Today we run the Balcon Nord, another Chamonix valley classic. We’ll stop for a break at the classic and recently renovated Montenvers hotel, high above the Mer de Glace glacier. Later in the day, we’ll enjoy a stop at Refuge Plan de l’Aiguille.
Smooth running above Courmayeur. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 5
Today, we’re on the move to Courmayeur, Italy. We’ll run in full view of Mont Blanc, from Courmayeur to the end of the tranquil Val Ferret. With its smooth trail and big views, it’s arguably the best section of the Tour du Mont-Blanc for trail runners!
On the TMB in Italy. (Photo: Toni Spasenoski)
Day 6
Today’s trail run in Val Veny crosses the high pastures of Arête de Mont Favre and includes a wonderful balcony trail that is part of the Tour du Mont-Blanc. We’ll stop by the beloved Rifugio Maison Vieille to enjoy a delicious Italian lunch.
Snack break at Refuge Bellachat. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 7
Today it’s back to Chamonix, for a climb to a dramatic mountain refuge with a striking view of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley, followed by a descent on alpine trails and a unique gondola ride back to town. Dinner is on your own tonight– fortunately, there are dozens of great options in town!
Hard to beat the views from Loriaz. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 8
For our last day of running, we’ll head up the valley to run to Refuge Loriaz in a high Alps pasture. Then, we’ll take a quiet, high traverse to Emosson, one of Europe’s largest dams on France’s border with Switzerland.
Breakfast before parting ways. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 9
Today we say au revoir to our new friends. Your tour ends after breakfast at your hotel with a shared, 90-minute shuttle back to the Geneva Airport.
Regional map
- Geneva-Chamonix shared shuttle transfers at the start and end of the tour
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- Accommodation for eight nights at 4 or 5 star hotels featuring spas
- Buffet breakfasts, food and premium nutrition on the trail, seven multi-course dinners, and wine and cheese tasting
- All transfers to and from trailheads that are included on our planned itinerary
- Luggage transfers
- A copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains plenty of information and tips from the staff and guide team at Run the Alps
- Special guest Jen Hansard for all runs and activities
- Flights
- Transport to and from trailheads if you choose to shorten a run
- Drinks with dinners
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Tips for guides
Plan to arrive the day your tour starts, at the latest. Note that flights from the US usually arrive on the following day, so schedule accordingly. The closest airport is Geneva, Switzerland. This tour includes a shared shuttle pickup at the 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 the 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 10am, a private shuttle is required at an added cost of $240.
SPECIAL: *Couples or friends who register together will receive the discounted trip price of $5390/person. This is a $600 savings per couple or $300/person.
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- Couples or friends must register together on the same registration form.
- If friends need to register separately in order to each pay their own deposits, they must note in the registration form their friend’s name with whom they’ll be sharing a room. Friends must register within 24 hours of each other to receive this discounted price.
Single supplements, or upgrading to a private room are not the norm in much of the Alps. In much of Europe, including the Alps, hotels charge based on the number of occupants, not just a flat rate for the room. It is more expensive to be in a private single room. Therefore, we charge a single supplement fee to cover the increased price difference for solo guests. On this trip, single rooms are available all nights in Chamonix and Courmayeur for a total cost of $980. Single rooms are limited and we fill them on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Why Run the Alps? Learn how Run the Alps compares to other trail running companies and about what sets us apart.
- 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!
- Alumni Discount: We love welcoming our alumni back to the Alps and offer a 10% discount on all standard Run the Alps trips. Simply check the Alumni box on the registration form and we’ll apply the discount when we invoice you.
- 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.
- Tour Grants Program: Run the Alps is committed to making our trips more inclusive. If you’d like to join this trip, but don’t think you can afford it, please check out our Tour Grants Program.
- 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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