Courmayeur to Chamonix with Max King
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We’ve been friends with Salomon international trail running athlete Max King for years, so it’s with special pleasure that we get to announce a unique trip with Max– one that incorporates a visit to the legendary Salomon global headquarters, a chance to race in one of the world’s best-known race series and— of course– plenty of time with Max, too.
It’s not easy to summarize the accomplishments of this resident of Bend, Oregon. Max has accolades that stretch back to World Mountain Running Championships in 2011, and run through to the present day. He’s stood atop podiums around the globe, runs his own trail running camps, has launched a winter ski mountaineer program, and is a driving force for Salomon’s global trail running efforts. Plus, simply, Max is a great guy, deeply admired for his skills, tenacity, knowledge, and willingness to share it with others.
We’re delighted to welcome Max to the Alps in 2024!
Our trip starts in the rustic Italian village of Courmayeur, on the south side of Mont Blanc. Our first day of trail running is along the high pastures of Val Ferret, within full view of Mont Blanc’s glaciers. That afternoon, we’ll have an optional navigation skills session with Max, then we’ll spend the night in the welcoming Gîte de la Peule.
Our route then takes us over the border to Switzerland. We’ll cross Grand Col Ferret and then it’s on to the mountain villages of La Fouly, Champex-Lac and Trient.
From Trient, we’ll run over Col de Balme on the French-Swiss border, and descend to Chamonix, having completed the northern half of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Chamonix is the world’s epicenter of trail running, and no place has more trail running history, or is more alive with mountain runners. We’ll be there for all the excitement of the legendary Mont Blanc Marathon series of trail races, which range from 10 km to 90 km. Many of the world’s best trail runners will be on hand. A limited number of race entries are available through Run the Alps.
Chamonix is known as “La Vallée du Trail,” and we’ll take full advantage, sampling some of the best runs, through the Aiguille Rouge nature preserve, onto the high balcony routes on either side of the valley, and even the thrilling “Kilomètre Vertical.”
Book this tour
$5,890 per person
$500 single supplement
Itinerary
Day 1
Enjoy a shared shuttle from Geneva airport to Courmayeur, Italy. In the evening, we’ll relax at our charming Courmayeur hotel with Max, our guides and the rest of the group for our trip kick-off gathering and dinner.
Arrive in Geneva, and transfer to the quiet, “sunny side” of Mont Blanc in Courmayeur, Italy. An airport pickup is included, making this a relaxing two-hour journey. Enjoy impressive views of Mont Blanc, or “Monte Bianco” from the Italian side, then relax at our charming Courmayeur hotel. You’ll join Max, your guides and the rest of the group for our trip kick off, followed by dinner.
Day 2
We’ll trail run a breathtaking route on the Tour du Mont Blanc with a sustained ascents, and smooth single track, all with big views, finishing at the La Peule mountain hut in Switzerland. Max will share orientation skills with us after we settle in at the hut.
Today, we’ll run our first section of the Tour du Mont-Blanc. It’s a breathtaking route with a sustained ascent, then smooth, runnable single track and the grandeur of Val Ferret. We’ll make the most of Italian hospitality at Rifugio Bonatti, along the way. And then continue over the Grand Col Ferret into Switzerland and on to our overnight stop at the rustic La Peule Mountain hut. Today, Max will spend some time sharing orientation skills with the group.
Day 3
Today we continue running through the Swiss Alps, down to the village of La Fouly. From here, it’s easy cruising down this Swiss valley. We’ll have plenty of stops at mountain huts on our way to our evening’s destination, the lakeside village of Champex-Lac.
We run further into the French-speaking Valais region of Switzerland, down to the quiet end-of-the-valley village of La Fouly for our first few miles. From here it’s time for some easy cruising alongside the La Drance de Ferret river. We’ll pace ourselves and include plenty of stops at mountain huts for photos and refueling on our way to our evening’s destination, the lakeside village of Champex-Lac.
Day 4
Gentle miles through Swiss hamlets take us to a climb up to Bovine, a classic stop on the Tour du Mont Blanc with stunning views, a herd of cows, and homemade cake and drinks. Next, we’ll descend to the mountain-ringed village of Trient, followed by a final climb and descent to the Chamonix valley.
Time to run to Chamonix! We start with some gentle miles passing through rustic Swiss hamlets, before tackling the climb up to Bovine. Here, we’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Rhône valley, and homemade cake and drinks amidst the impressive Val d’Hérens cows. From here, the Tour du Mont-Blanc descends to the mountain-ringed village of Trient, followed by the day’s final climb over Catogne and down to Montroc in the Chamonix valley. There are options to extend the run down the valley, or to take public transport into Chamonix.
For those of you who fancy a bit more running, you can join our partners at Chamonix’s popular Big Mountain Trail Club run in the evening – or just show up after to enjoy great craft beers.
Day 5
Time for a unique road trip to Annecy, the “Venice of the Alps,” a 90-minute taxi from Chamonix. We’ll enjoy a gentle run before heading to Salomon’s World Headquarters to hear some of the fabled stories of this iconic trail running thinktank.
Today we head to the beautiful town of Annecy, a 90-minute taxi from Chamonix. Nicknamed the Venice of the Alps, Annecy has a quaint medieval-era old village with waterways running through, with a dramatic lake just a few minutes away. We’ll take a gentle run on mellow trails, then head to the Salomon’s World Headquarters and the legendary Annecy Design Center to hear some of the fabled stories of this iconic trail running thinktank.
Day 6
Pick your activity! If you’re racing, it’s time for some rest. If you’d like to run, our guides will lead you up to the Mer de Glace glacier, followed by a trip up one of the world’s highest trams. At night, you can pick one of Chamonix’s many wonderful open-air restaurants for a dinner on your own, even as you watch the finish of Chamonix’s 90 km race course from your table!
Today, you can pick your activity! If you have a race coming up or simply would like a day off the trails, we’ll share suggestions for a wonderful day of exploring Chamonix. If you’d like to run, our guides will lead a run to the nearby Mer de Glace valley glacier, followed by a trip up one of the world’s highest trams, to the 3842 meter Aiguille du Midi.
You’ll be on your own tonight for dinner, allowing a chance to wander the pedestrian walkways and pick one of Chamonix’s many wonderful open-air restaurants. In the evening, watch some of the world’s top runners come into town after completing the demanding 90 km race course, for its distance one of the hardest races in the Alps.
Day 7
Today is race day for the classic 23-km Cross du Mont-Blanc, and a 10-km trail race. Run the Alps has entries available for trip participants, There are great trail-side locations to which we can run and cheer runners if you’d rather watch– your guide will design a varied and fun trail running route.
Today is race day for one of Europe’s oldest trail races, the 23-km Cross du Mont-Blanc, and a more recent 10-km trail race. Run the Alps has entries available for trip participants who want to enjoy this classic Alps trail race!
For those of us watching, there are great trail-side locations to which we can run and cheer runners with an “Allez-Allez!” or “Bravo!” Your guide will design a varied and fun trail running route into the day. Then, in town, we’ll have a chance to watch the world’s fastest trail runners as they cross the legendary finish line next to the Mayor’s office. 10-20 km, 700m – 1500m ascent and 700m – 1500m descent.
Day 8
Today it’s the Mont Blanc Marathon! Entries are available for trip participants, Those not racing can take in the race. The day ends with a celebratory dinner in Chamonix.
Today it’s the Mont Blanc Marathon! Run the Alps has entries available for trip participants who want to enjoy this classic Alps trail race!
Those not racing can run and cheer on our fellow tour members. Back in town, we will again get a chance to meet some of the world’s best trail runners. We’ll end the day with a memorable, celebratory farewell dinner in Chamonix
Day 9
It’s time to take leave of the Mont Blanc region. Your shuttle will take you directly to Geneva for your homeward bound flight home.
It’s time to take leave of the Mont Blanc region and all of the trail running it offers. Your shuttle will take you directly to Geneva for the flight home. An option exists to stay additional nights in Chamonix, using Run the Alps’ self-guided materials for additional trail running.
What's Included
Round-trip Geneva airport transfers; 7 nights in village hotels; 1 night remote inn; Breakfast each morning; light lunches each day; Trail nutrition from Run the Alps partners each day; 7 dinners; Guided runs daily with certified guides and Max King; All transfers to and from trailheads; Luggage transfers; Run the Alps Guide to Trail Running in the Alps; License free photography; Visit to the Salomon ADC in Annecy
Arrival
Plan to arrive at the Geneva Airport no later than 1:30pm the day your tour starts. Note that flights from the US are usually overnight and arrive the next morning. You will be taking a private group shuttle to Courmayeur, about two hours away.
We will book 1 shuttle for the whole group. Anyone who arrives on an alternate time/date is responsible for their own transportation to Courmayeur. We do our best to accommodate everyone’s flights so please keep us updated. If you have questions, please ask.
Departure
We’d suggest departing from the Geneva Airport after breakfast the day your tour ends. The Geneva Airport is one and a half hours from Chamonix by shuttle, so it’s possible to leave the day the tour ends as long as your flight departure time is not before 10am. If you need to depart earlier, a private shuttle can typically be arranged at a cost of $240.
Good To Know
Not included: Flights; Drinks with dinner; 1 dinner in Chamonix (recommendations provided); Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry; Tips for guides.
Please read our terms and conditions before signing up.
All Run the Alps guests receive a copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps to assist in preparing for their trip.
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.