Running in the snow: why not have a go at a snow trail?

Some people see running as a way of achieving balance. They have to do it to function properly. People who feel on edge, tense and stressed if they haven’t been for a run in 5 days. For them, combining a mountain holiday with running is as natural as breathing. A necessity. So the trails created by the resorts are a welcome alternative to a running machine at a holiday residential complex or hotel. Feeling the snow squeak under your running shoes, breathing in the wonderful mountain air and feeling free in the great outdoors is a source of true happiness and unique well-being. 

 

 

For the fun of it! It’s not every day that you get the chance to run in the snow – a terrain that changes as you go: packed snow for trying out a new stride, powder for the pure fun of sinking into it, gently sliding down slopes and warming up on the way back up.

 

“Sport is good for your health” plus “the good mountain air” equals a cocktail that’s 100% a winner! The reduced amount of oxygen at high altitude increases the number of blood cells - all good for your body. Running at high altitude might leave you out of breath but you’ll feel the benefit when you’re back down in the valley. The blood cells that go to your lungs to capture the little oxygen there is at high altitude will help burn more energy and improve your performance in training sessions. An extraordinary version of doping – but completely natural!

 

Could there be anything better than getting way from the running track and exhaust fumes of the city and taking deep breaths of pure mountain air? You take it in through your lungs, but through your eyes, too – as you trace the ups and downs of the landscape as far as the eye can see, taking wooded trails on the lookout for wildlife. The sound of your breath and your footprints in the snow are all that you leave behind. All is peaceful and sound is muffled – like running on velvet.

If you want to keep it basic, you can get away with just a pair of trail shoes with crampons. But if you want to be completely comfortable and protected from the cold and wet, you should really have the proper gear:

Winter running trousers/tights (fleece inner/water repellent outer)
System of 3 layers on the upper body: a breathable base layer, a second warm layer and a water- /wind-proof jacket
Thin water-proof gloves

You might want to add a head-band for extra warmth, drink bottle (you sweat less but you still need to keep hydrating) and possibly chains for your shoes to stop you slipping over.

 

There are plenty of snow trails you can do in pairs, so why not take someone along with you – a fiend, partner or colleague, maybe? Enjoy a different kind of escapade where you help each other out as you slide downhill and attack the slopes. And create shared memories at the same time! 

1st January: New Year Snow Trail – Valberg (06).

14th January: Sаncy/Моnt-Dоге Winter Trail  (63).

14th January: Devol’ Ice Trail – Super Dévoluy (05).

20th January: Inuit Night-time Trail – Pralognan la Vanoise (73).

20th and 21st January: La Rоmеufоntаіnе – Fоnt-Rоmеu (66).

20th January: O’Xyrace du Jura – les Rousses (39).

20th January: Les 2 Alpes night Snow trail (38).

20th & 21st January: Val d’Allos Scott Tгаіl Blаnc – Val d’Allos (05)

22nd January: Méaudre Winter Trail (38)

27th January: Valfréjus Modane White Trail (73)

27th January: La Tramassel – Hautacam (65)

27th & 28th January: Vosges White Trail – Saint Maurice sur Moselle (88).

28th January: Confins Trail N’ Ski – La Clusaz (74) 

3rd February: Yooni Moon Trail – Méribel (73).

3rd & 4th February: Raidlight Winter trail – Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse (38).

3rd February: La Madeleine White Trail – St François Longchamp (73)

4th February: Snow Race Montgenèvre (05).

10th February: Snow trail Valberg (06).

18th February: Snow trail Ubaye Salomon – Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye (04).

20th February: ODYSSÉA, Snow Race – Valloire (73)

23rd February: Karel’Blanc Trail– Les Karellis (73)

24th February:White Fairy Trail – Les Aillons Margériaz (73)