History of the Grande Odyssée

There were 2…

1998: Henry Kam runs KTT, a “high tech” company. For many years he has been supporting nature-adventure sporting events. Nicolas Vanier is preparing to cross Canada with his dogs. KTT is one of his partners. They become friends.

2002: Henry sold his company two years ago. Nicolas is preparing for the Yukon Quest, the mythical 1,000-mile race joining the Yukon Territory to Alaska.

“These races are extraordinary”, says Nicolas.
“Why don’t they have this in Europe? ” asks Henry.
“Because no one is organizing this”.
“This is exactly the kind of thing I want to do”, answers Henry.

Together they leave for the Yukon Quest, Henry as a voluntary worker for the organization. This is a “learning” experience. These races are extraordinary sporting events in which man and animal evolve in perfect harmony in an authentic nature.

The decision is made: The Grande Odyssée will be the greatest race which Europe will ever have known. Nicolas and Henry start working. Dominique Grandjean, a well-known veterinary surgeon, and a specialist in huskies, experienced in the organisation of races, joins the “founders” team. Thus, three complementary expertises come together:
- the Champion’s expertise,
- the expertise of running races and the knowledge of animals,
- marketing and organization.

There are 3…

2003: It is in the Domaine des Portes du Soleil (France-Haute Savoie and Switzerland) and in Haute Maurienne Vanoise (Savoie), that the Grande Odyssée will take place. Partnerships are signed for organization of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 editions.

There are 20…

2004: 16 French ski resorts and 4 Swiss ski resorts are involved in the creation of 1000 km of routes, 90% being located outside the skiable areas. More than 110 meetings are necessary for the creation of this first edition.

They are 500…

January 7, 2005: 4 pm: the 18 best mushers of the world, representing 10 nations and accompanied by their 300 dogs, exceptional sports dogs and men, are in Avoriaz at the start of the first edition. For organizational purposes, a staff of 50 people has been created; more than 200 professionals and 250 Alpine chasseurs are involved. About twenty partners have offered their support: Pierre et Vacances, the Ademe (Agency for the Environment and Control of Energy), Eco-emballages. All consider the values conveyed by the Grande Odyssée as close to them.

This first edition is a great sporting, media and popular success despite the numerous imperfections of the organization of the first edition.

It is confirmed: The Grande Odyssey, this great sporting event, meets the objectives of the Portes du Soleil and the Haute Maurienne Vanoise: image, notoriety, values.

There are 1000…

January 8, 2006: This second edition has become the lead for the winter communication strategy of an entire region. One discovers that the mountain is beautiful, that it can be used in a gentle and non aggressive manner, that the values of authenticity, courage, and respect for the environment have a high educational value.

The Grande Odyssée attracts more than 70,000 spectators, news on the major TV channels devote 29 minutes to it, the local daily press more than 600 articles, the radio: 16 hours.

1000 people are involved in this second edition. The Assembly of the Pays de Savoie (County councils of Savoie and Haute Savoie), the Rhone Alpes Region, and the Véolia Environment group join the partners’ club.

The Grande Odyssée is the medium for many “edutainment” operations: 1,000 primary school children (CM2) of Savoie are invited for an educational project, conferences are organized on the promotion of the eco citizen gestures, a partnership is signed with Défi pour la Terre of the Nicolas Hulot foundation.

There are 1000 and 1!

October 2006: The Savoie Mont Blanc Brand name is revealed. The same day the Grande Odyssey partnership is announced. This brand name is chosen for the national and international promotion of all the tourist destinations of Savoie and Haute Savoie: summer as well as winter: 110 ski resorts, as well as the lakes, wide spaces, national parks.

December 2007: Everything is ready.

The 2007 edition, qualifying for the Yukon Quest and Iditarod, will be a great event. Animations in each of the 21 resorts: - week of the small wolves, polar festival - which are getting ready to welcome the 100,000 spectators expected for this third edition.

Friday, December 29 at noon the AFP (French National News Agency) releases its official statement: The third edition is cancelled for lack of snow.

This decision in fact brings all the actors involved closer, who in turn decide that:

The Grande Odyssée Trophy will gather the European mushers in a shortened 3 day format on January 13, 14 and 15, 2007 at high altitude around the lake of Mont Cenis and on the highest area of the Haute Maurienne Vanoise.

All the registered mushers confirm their arrival, showing their attachment to this new competition.

The Grande Odyssée 2008 as well as the 2009 and 2010 editions are already confirmed.