The Event

La Grande Odyssée is also the story of a dream. The dream of a great adventure that would cross our alpine massifs.

La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin in numbers

400 km

racing

10 000 m difference in height
70 000

spectators

20 stations
65

mushers

600 athlete dogs

La Grande Odyssée is also the story of a dream

La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin is since it’s first edition in January 2005, the annual event of the dog sled race in Europe. It is the most demanding stage race in a unique alpine setting in the world

Each year it brings together more than 65 mushers and their 600 dogs, from all over Europe, in the stunning landscapes of Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

It is more than 70 000 spectators who live every year a unique experience, in 20 stations decorated for the occasion, by attending La Grande Odyssée. Royal Canin

See all photos from 2026

The 2026 edition

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Gallery

Best of the 2026 edition

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Trophies

Trophies are races that take place over a few days on several stages of the Grand Odyssey Royal Canin.

Haute Savoie Trophy

It runs over 3 days in 2 stages: Avoriaz and La Chapelle d·Abondance, 12 mushers planned at the start, Pool of 8 or 9 dogs, from 5 to 6 dogs at the start
Le Dauphiné Libéré Trophy

It runs over 3 days in 3 stages: Savoie Grande Revard, La Toussuire-Le Corbier and the Karellis, 12 mushers planned at the start, Pool of 8 or 9 dogs, of dogs 5 to 6 dogs at the start
Allianz Trophy

It runs over 3 days in 2 stages in Haute Maurienne Vanoise on the stages of Aussoi, Bessans, Bonneval-sur-Arc and Val Cenis, 12 mushers planned at the start, Pool of 8 or 9 dogs, of dogs 5 to 6 dogs at the start. This Trophy is reserved for Nordic dogs.
Crédit Mutuel Trophy

It runs over 3 days in 3 stages: Les 7 Laux, Col de Porte and Villard de Lans, 12 mushers planned at the start, Pool of 8 or 9 dogs, from 5 to 6 dogs at the start

Special Odysseys

The Children’s Odyssey

with Crédit Mutuel

During one stage, pupils from a primary school will take part in The Children's Odyssey with Crédit Mutuel. Around 40 children will be involved in the event, including participants and accompanying adults.
They will set off on a 2 km course, harnessed to 2 to 4 dogs depending on the weight of the junior musher.
The Odyssey of Hopes

with Crédit Mutuel

The Odyssey of Hopes with Crédit Mutuel is a race intended for young mushers from the FFST Talent Development Center.
Our young athletes will cover 6 km, fully experiencing life as a professional musher. Teams of 2 and 4 dogs will take the start, each being completely autonomous in terms of equipment as well as dog management.
The Odyssey for All

with Crédit Mutuel

The Odyssey for All with Crédit Mutuel will welcome young adults with disabilities (aged 15 to 25) to take part in La Grande Odyssée Royal Canin.
Supervised by the Team Ehawee, the young participants will complete a 1.5 km course. For this edition, they will operate in full autonomy when driving the sled.

The special bibs

Leader

sponsored by Suzuki

The “Leader” bib, sponsored by Suzuki, is given at the end of each stage (Limited and Open) to the 1st of the general classification.
Leader Nordic

sponsored by Suzuki

The “Leader Nordic” bib, sponsored by Suzuki, rewards daily the team composed entirely of pure-bred Nordic dogs (often Siberian Huskies) best ranked in the general classification.
Dog Care

The “Dog Care” bib, is given to the musher whose behavior towards his dogs on the stage will have marked the spirits.