Verbier

The Patrouille des Glaciers

from
Weekdays
to

“A unique sporting and military challenge – a feat of human courage and endurance”.

Come and cheer on the racers at the legendary Patrouille des Glaciers ski mountaineering race, which this year will be held from 15 to 21 April 2024.

The Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG) was born in 1943. Back then, it was conceived as a purely military exercise – as a way for military personnel to prove their ability to defend Switzerland’s Alpine borders in the context of World War II. In 1949, a tragic accident occurred: a patrouille (patrol) died in a crevasse on Mont Miné. As a result, the competition was not held for many years.

However, the legend of the Patrouille des Glaciers endured, and this extreme endurance race was revived in 1984. There are now two routes, both of which lead to Verbier. The start is from either Arolla or Zermatt.

La Patrouille des Glaciers – facts and figures

Course Length Elevation gain Record time
From Zermatt 57,5 km 4'386 m 05 :35 :27
From Arolla 29,6 km 2'200 m 02 :44 :32

On 28th and 30th April, our facilities will open early to support the participants (see below)

More info for spectators here

Spoken languages
  • french
  • english
  • german
Verbier 4Vallées

Gallery

00 2
27 + 30.04.2022

Early opening of the lifts

Lifts Opening times
Le Châble - Verbier As of 04:30am
Médran As fof 04:30am
Chaux Express As of 04:30am
Jumbo As of 05:00am