First they were two…

1998 : Henry Kam runs KTT, a hi-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 has sold his company two years before. Nicolas is preparing for the Yukon Quest, the legendary 1000-mile race linking the Yukon Territory to Alaska.
“These races are extraordinary,” says Nicolas.
“Why don’t they have this in Europe?” asks Henry.
“Because no one organizes it.”
“This is exactly the kind of thing I want to do,” says 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 develop in perfect harmony in an authentic environment. The decision is made: La Grande Odyssée will be the greatest race Europe will ever have known.

Nicolas and Henry set to work. Dominique Grandjean, a well-known veterinary surgeon and a specialist in huskies who has experience in organizing races, joins the founder team. Three complementary expertises therefore come together: - the champion’s expertise - expertise of running races and knowledge of animals - marketing and organizational expertise

Then they were three…

2003 : La Grande Odyssée is to take place in the Portes du Soleil region (Haute Savoie, France, and Switzerland) and Haute Maurienne Vanoise (Savoie).

Partnerships are signed for the organization of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 editions.

Then they were 20…

2004 : There are 16 French ski resorts and four Swiss ski resorts involved in creating 1000 km of routes, 90% located outside the skiable areas. Iver a 110 meetings are required to set up this first event.

Then they were 500…

January 7th, 2005: 4 pm, the 18 best mushers in the world, representing 10 nations and accompanied by their 300 dogs, exceptional sports dogs and men, are in Avoriaz for the start of the first event. For organizational purposes, a team of 50 people has been created – more than 200 professionals and 250 Alpine huntsmen are involved. Some 20 partners have offered their support, including Pierre & Vacances, the Ademe (French agency for the environment and energy management) and Eco-emballages. All consider that the values communicated by La Grande Odyssée match their own.

This first event is a great sporting, media and popular success, despite the numerous problems with organizing any first event. It is confirmed: La Grande Odyssée, this great sporting event, matches the objectives of the Portes du Soleil and the Haute Maurienne Vanoise in terms of image, notoriety, values.

Then they were 1000…

January 8th, 2006: This second event has become the main theme for the winter communications strategy of an entire region. It enables people to discover that the mountain is beautiful, that it can be used in a gentle and non-aggressive way, and that the values of authenticity, courage, and respect for the environment have a high educational value. La 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, and the radio 16 hours. 1000 people are involved in this second edition. The Pays de Savoie assembly (regional councils of Savoie and Haute Savoie), the Rhone-Alpes region and the Véolia Environment group join the partners’ club. La Grande Odyssée is the medium for many “edu-tainment” campaigns: 1000 primary school children from Savoie are invited to take part in an educational project, conferences are organized to promote eco-citizen initiatives, a partnership is signed with the Nicolas Hulot foundation’s “Défi pour la Terre” project.

Then they were 1000 and 1!

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