Trophée des Combins

At 7.8 km long, this is one of the shortest trail races in Switzerland, but also one of the steepest, with nearly 1200 meters of climbing over that distance. The race is run in commemoration of local guide Louis Wuilloud, who ran up to the hut in a then record of 1 hour, 45 minutes, to deliver the sad news of the passing of the hut guardian’s son. Eleven years later, the race started, and has continued to this day, making it one of the longest running races in Switzerland — over 45 years! A Grand Trophée des Combins has been run in some years, starting in Fionnay, climbing past the hut, over Col des Otanes, down past the gigantic Mauvosin dam, and finishing back in the village. 21.4km long, this race has 1495 meters of climbing. The Trophée event is a great local race, with a fun spirit. It is organized by the local Grand Combin ski club, who notes, “Trail racing doesn’t add years to our life, but life to our years.” This race is part of the Valaisan Cup.