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Patrouille des Glaciers

Essential Tips for Preparing to Race Patrouille des Glaciers in Switzerland

March 2, 2018 By Stano Faban 5 Comments

It’s that time of year when days are getting longer so we can start thinking of big days in the mountains instead of just storm skiing and occasional resort laps. For skimo racers, this means thinking about the classic races, the Grande Course events.
One of the biggest and oldest is the Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG) that goes from Zermatt to Verbier in Switzerland. The 75 year old race covers 53 km and accumulates 4000m+ of climbing along the classic Haute Route, with approximately 3000 participating each year!
This year, we will be watching closely as several North American teams are attending the 2018 edition and we have put together some tips to help teams prepare for this big event in the future!

Athletes arriving in Verbier. Photo by PDG.
Athletes arriving in Verbier. Photo by PDG.

Getting There

Getting there is the first hurdle that athletes must tackle. Once a team has been selected for the race, they don’t have to worry about accommodation the night before. However, it is wise to head to altitude prior to the race (more on this later) to acclimatize.
Geneva, Switzerland is the closest major airport. Rent a car from the “French Sector” of the airport where rentals are MUCH cheaper, but be aware that driving on the autobahn (freeway) in Switzerland requires your car to have a vignette sticker which costs around 40 Euros. If you rent from the French side, your car likely will not have a vignette. You may get away driving from the airport to Zermatt without one, but you may get stopped at the border and forced to buy one. Pleading ignorance will hopefully prevent a fine.

Legendary village of Zermatt with the arguably the most iconic mountain in the world in the background. Photo by PDG.
Legendary village of Zermatt with the arguably the most iconic mountain in the world in the background. Photo by PDG.
The town of Zermatt, where the race starts, is actually off limits to cars. Additionally, the start and finish are in two totally different areas. For a team with no support crew and traveling by car, it can be difficult. We suggest parking a vehicle in the medium-sized town of Martigny, from here it is a short train ride to both Zermatt, for the start, and from Verbier at the finish.
There are festivities all along the course. Photo by PDG.
There are festivities all along the course. Photo by PDG.

Staying Healthy

Another important component of preparing for such a big race, especially in combination with traveling from North America to Europe, is staying healthy.

  • Don’t try to make up training in the last two weeks for the race, you should be doing that now.
  • Use care on public transit – wash your hands often while flying and taking the train.
  • Schedule your flights to help with your jet-lag by flying overnight.
  • Spend as much time at high altitude (above 2000 m) as possible, focus on training easy, and to practice your downhills.
  • Eat healthy and sufficient calories. Don’t try to loose weight!
  • Sleep enough and well!

Tips on Dealing with Jet Lag

Because of the length of the race, the start takes place VERY early in the morning. Don’t expect to get great or a long enough sleep so do your best to rest well in the days leading up to the race:

  • Arrive in Europe with plenty of time to overcome jet lag and optimize your sleep schedule (early to bed, early wake-up).
  • Sleep lots in the nights preceding the race.
  • Use an eye shade and ear plugs if needed.

How Long Will it Take?

Finishing times in such a long race vary wildly so your best bet is to simulate about 1/2 to 2/3 of the distance and elevation gain in your training to figure out how long your team might take to finish. With that, you will be able to figure out how much food and water you will need to bring as well.
Current men’s course record was set in 2010 by a very strong Swiss team with a finishing time of 5h 52min. Women’s record stands at 7h 27min and was set also, by historical standards, by a very strong team in 2014.
We expect that most male North American teams can finish in around 8-12 hours and female teams in around 10-14h.

Swiss army is involved every step of the way with approximately 3000 members preparing and marshaling the course. Photo by PDG.
Swiss army is involved every step of the way with approximately 3000 members preparing and marshaling the course. Photo by PDG.

PDG Race Logistics

Bring only what you need for the night before the race and the race itself to Zermatt. The organizers will only transport a small bag to the finish for you. It’s best to leave your big suitcase in the car if possible.
The race often starts on foot in town. Depending on the length of the dry segment, you may wish to bring or buy a pair of cheap sneakers to run the first section in. When you switch to ski boots, you can leave the shoes with the race staff who then donate them.
Checking in is a long process. Arriving in Zermatt by train the day before the race, you will feel as though you walked into the skimo centre of the universe. Walking down the main street, crowded with other athletes, army members working for the race organization, and tourists will be very unique. The crowds are funneled towards the town’s rec centre where check-in takes place. Be prepared to show each piece of your equipment to have it individually approved – the Swiss military is very thorough. If you are missing anything, vendors are available on site to purchase equipment from but be warned, the prices are in Swiss francs and are raised for the race. Avoid buying in Zermatt, try to buy gear elsewhere prior to arriving.

Most big races in Europe begin either with marching band or in with a mass in a church. Photo by PDG.
Most big races in Europe begin either with marching band or in with a mass in a church. Photo by PDG.

PDG Route and Roping Up

Because it is the Patrouille des Glaciers, you will be traveling on glaciers with crevasse danger. This necessitates that racers rope up for much of the itinerary.
The race organization will indicate where you must rope up and when you can take it off. You must have at least 30m, 8.5mm half rope. If you have a 29.5m rope, you will not be allowed to use it when you check in!
The PDG does allow teams to use bungee devices to make skiing with the rope easier. This makes a huge difference as it prevents the rope getting tangled in your skis:

  • Purchase 3 or 4mm bungee cord from a sport shop. Two 10m sections should be plenty. Also purchase a big bag of zip-ties.
  • The idea is to stretch the bungee out completely tight alongside the rope and then zip-tie them together in about 10-15cm segments.
  • When the bungee relaxes, it creates small loops in the rope. This keeps the rope from going completely slack and then getting tangled in your skis.
  • You don’t want the ENTIRE rope attached to the bungee. Leave ~2m at each end and in the middle normal so you are able to tie in.
  • Practice tying into the middle of the rope without using a carabiner (and with gloves on).
  • Practice skiing with the rope/bungee prior to the race with your teammates . It takes a LOT of time getting used to it!
  • You will have to remove the bungees from your rope to check in with the military and then reattach it afterwards.

Once you’ve checked in and been given your bib and hotel assignment, grab some Rosti (a Swiss specialty) in a nearby cafe and then check into your hotel.
The race briefing takes place in the evening. It’s a busy affair with a band and many speeches in multiple languages. It might be wise to have only the most responsible teammate attend the meeting while the others prepare for the race. A French speaker will come home with the most information but critical details are given in English as well.
For a feel of history, check out this silent 18min movie from the 1945 race after you finish this article:

Altitude Acclimatization

Altitude at the PDG is a serious issue (with much of the route above 2500 m), unless you live in Colorado. It is advisable to spend time at altitude to acclimatize before arriving for the race. We don’t however suggest you do this in Zermatt because of the cost. Just on the other side of the Matterhorn lies the Italian resort town of Cervinia which is much cheaper and still allows access to high mountains and the race course. Similar altitudes can be found in the Avoriaz and other areas in France.
A full acclimatization schedule of arriving two weeks prior to the race will allow sufficient time to get used to the altitude, overcome jet lag, and prepare equipment and team tactics. If you cannot do that then plan to arrive at least 5-6 days prior to deal with jet lag, but make sure to spend time at altitude at home.
» For detailed tips on altitude acclimatization read our older post  – How to minimize effects of altitude on skimo racing performance

Fueling Before and During the Race

Finally, fueling is a critical component for such a long race. While getting outside assistance at specific points is possible there are no feed zones, so you must arrange your own support group or do as follows:

  • Eat as much as is possible the days before.
  • Wake up early enough to eat a large breakfast and digest it before the start.
  • You will be issued one Army Milk Chocolate bar at check in but don’t count on that during the race.
  • Make sure you have both liquid and solid calories to last you through the duration of what you expect the event to take.
  • You don’t want to, at most likely you won’t be able to, do the whole race on gels only – pack in some bars, chocolate, and even smoked sausage for a change of taste 🙂

Train and Practice

There are many fine details of preparing for a big race such as Patrouille des Glaciers but arriving in Zermatt in your top form and fully proficient with your gear will set you up for success. We want to recommend our own Manual For Ski Mountaineering Racing e-book and our skimo training plans as  we truly believe they are the the best English resources on the subject of skimo racing.
Commit, train hard, and have a blast!

Filed Under: Skimo Racing, Training, Tricks & Tips Tagged With: Patrouille des Glaciers

World Cup 2010 racing calendar: Canadians compete

October 1, 2009 By Stano Faban 1 Comment

World Cup ski mountaineering racing calendar for 2009/2010 season made it out couple of weeks ago. Highlight of the season will definitely be Ski Mountaineering World Championships 2010 in Andorra that will that place during the first week of March.
See or download the complete World Cup 2010 calendar.
andorra-logo-worldsSkimo World Championships are organized every two years and 2010 racing program will be as follows:

  • Mar 2 – 3 – Individual races
  • Mar 4 – Vertical race
  • Mar 5 – Teams race
  • Mar 6 – Relays

Another notable event on the calendar, Patrouille des Glaciers in Switzerland, is already a long time classic on the European skimo racing circuit. This three-member teams race covers 53 km and climbs 3994 m vertical. It is scheduled for April 24th, 2010.
However, Pierra Menta, one of the most prestigous skimo races, is not on the World Cup calendar this season. This four day stage race is a Tour de France of skimo racing, but the World Cup rules left organizers with a tough decision, and so they most likely didn’t even apply for a World Cup status this year. The race will take place between March 10 – 14th, 2010 in Areches Beaufort, France.
For Canada, this season is already shaping up to be the “biggest”. National team that will be sent to Andorra will most likely have at least 10 athletes compeeting in all disciplines. Some of those athletes will compete in Pierra Menta and some other World Cup events as well. More on the national team racing in a future article.

Filed Under: Skimo Racing Tagged With: Patrouille des Glaciers, Pierra Menta, Ski Mountaineering World Championships

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