Everything you need to know about the next competition
With a start in Megève in Haute-Savoie, no fewer (and rather more) than 50,000 spectators are expected to attend this unique competition across the French Alps and in some twenty towns, resorts and other villages in the region.
This year, you'll be able to admire 600 top dog-athletes and over 60 of the best muschers (that's what sled drivers are called) on a programme of 11 stages in an exceptional mountain landscape. They will have to cover 400 kilometres over 13 days.
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The different stages
With a start on Saturday 13 January and a start on Sunday 14 January, stage 1 will cover a distance of 32 km, still in Megève, and will feature a range of activities designed to give participants an insight into the job of a musher. The following stages will take place at La Chapelle d'Abondance (38 km), followed by Bernex and La Toussuire on 16 and 17 January, and Les Karellis on 18 January, a 39 km race. The stages continue with a 27km race to Aussois on 19 January, followed by the 7th stage to Bessans, Bonneval-sur-Arc and Val-Cenis over 48km, then Valmorel, Doucy, Les 7 Laux and the Col de Porte on the following days. The final stage will take place in Villard-de-Lans on 25 January, with a closing ceremony worthy of the name on the Place de la Libération between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.
Entertainment for all the family
At the start of the race on 13 January, there will be entertainment between 10 am and 5 pm at the VVF Village in Le Pré Saint Amour, and a presentation of the carriages on the Place de l'Eglise in Megève at 2 pm for curious onlookers to enjoy with their families. On Monday 15th, you'll have the chance to watch the Children's Odyssey between 2 and 3pm, followed by a podium. There will be entertainment every day on the various stages, including a "Super Fan" competition and a meeting with Sitka, the official race mascot. There will be a bivouac open to the public on Sunday 21 January at the Col du Mont Cenis, and on the final stage in Villard-de-Lans, you'll have the chance to win VVF holidays in a competition.
Where can I stay to watch the sleigh race?
In the town of Samoëns, the Le Giffre *** caravan park welcomes you to a forest and lakeside setting and offers chalets and mobile homes for hire.
To widen your choice, there are 104 campsites in Haute-Savoie so you can attend the different races or the stage you choose depending on its location.
Finally, you can find all the information you need about La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc 2023 on the competition's dedicated website: www.grandeodyssee.com and you can also watch the live broadcast on Facebook.