Skiing tourHard

Patrouille des Glaciers

The Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG) is one of the cult events in the ski mountaineering calendar. The course leads from Zermatt via Arolla to Verbier, and represents a sporting tour de force for participating teams. The race takes place every other year (e.g. 2022) with participants competing in teams of three.

Details

Type
Skiing tour
Difficulty
Hard
Duration
18 h
Distance
55.5 km
Ascent
4094 m
Descent
4228 m
Lowest point
1472 m
Highest point
3643 m

The Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG) is one of the cult events in the ski mountaineering calendar. The course leads from Zermatt via Arolla to Verbier, and represents a sporting tour de force for participating teams. The race takes place every other year (e.g. 2022) with participants competing in teams of three.

Details

Type
Skiing tour
Difficulty
Hard
Duration
18 h
Distance
55.5 km
Ascent
4094 m
Descent
4228 m
Lowest point
1472 m
Highest point
3643 m

Description

The start is worth seeing at least once in life. Days before the race, Zermatt teems with competitors training for the event, both women and men. The contest, organised every other year by the Swiss army, is regarded as the toughest of its kind in the world. Nevertheless, only a selection of teams that apply can take part as the number of places is limited. In 2014, however, the number of three-person teams permitted was raised from 400 to 1800.

The Patrouille des Glaciers leads from Zermatt via Arolla to Verbier through the spectacular high-altitude mountain regions of the Valais Alps. The event has its origins in border patrols during the Second World War. The PDG 2014 celebrated the 30th anniversary of the relaunch of the contest in 1984.

  • Starts at the Bahnhofplatz in Zermatt, mostly late evening or very early morning
  • Starts on various days at the end of April/beginning of May
  • Bahnhofplatz/Bahnhofstrasse: entertainment for spectators around each category start
  • Information brochure with starting times and details of entertainment available locally
  • Civilian and military patrols from all over the world take part
  • Teams of three: women, men and mixed teams
  • Participants from Zermatt repeatedly achieve excellent results

Best season

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Route

Start point
Zermatt (1,620 m)
End point
Verbier (1,520 m)

Rating

Condition
Technique
Experience
Landscape

Map

You can reach more detailed information for tour specifics by ©Outdooractive from the link placed below the map.

Properties

  • Route tour
  • Nice views

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