Run Fast, Eat Slow Women’s Retreat with Elyse Kopecky
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Run the Alps is excited to offer an Alps trail running retreat with three-time New York Times Bestselling author Elyse Kopecky. Her books “Run Fast. Eat Slow,” “Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow,” and “Rise & Run” have transformed how we think about the intersection of food and sports.
Join Elyse and other like-minded women for a trail running adventure in the heart of the Alps. You’ll make wonderful friends and memories on this retreat, taking in the trails of Chamonix, France and Courmayeur, Italy – including a night at an alpine mountain hut on the side of a glacier!
Elyse is well-known and much adored for her bestselling cookbooks on improving running performance and long-term health and happiness. On this tour, which is open to all levels of trail runner, we’ll explore the best trails of the region while eating well and taking in classic alps culture. Elyse will give a talk on nutrition and take us through run warm-up and stretching sessions. She will be joined by Run the Alps trail running guides who are some of the best and most knowledgeable in the region. We’ll even have a special evening visit with Chamonix local and Black Diamond professional athlete Hillary Gerardi, one of the world’s top runners on highly technical, Skyrunning terrain.
Chamonix is the world capital of trail running with a wide range of beautiful trails. Dramatic mountain gondolas provide options for when we want to take it easier on a climb or descent. We’ll stay in tranquil deluxe chalets in Chamonix, where nourishing vegetarian meals will be cooked by a guest chef. We’ll also head out to sample the local cuisine and atmosphere, as well as enjoy a wine-tasting session.
As part of the adventure, we’ll climb deep into the mountains to spend the night alongside the Le Tour glacier at the French Alpine Club’s modern Refuge Albert Premier at 2702m.
One day of this tour will include a trip through the 11 km-long Mont Blanc tunnel to the rustic town of Courmayeur, Italy, where we’ll experience a different culture and cuisine, and relax at the thousand-year-old Prè-st-Didier Roman thermal spa.
Please note: Day-to-day itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions. All route distances and vertical are approximate.
Book this tour
$5,395/person Single Occupancy
Itinerary
(Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 1
You’ll arrive at the Geneva, Switzerland airport and take a 90-minute shared shuttle to Chamonix, France where you can settle into our chalet accommodations and get to know each other.
Outside Café Floria on the way up to Flegère and the Grand Balcon Sud. (Courtesy photo)
Day 2
It’s time to explore some mountain trails! We’ll head up to Lac Blanc and run the Grand Balcon Sud – an iconic, winding single track traverse facing the enormity of the Mont-Blanc massif.
(Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 3
Today, we’ll explore the other side of the Chamonix valley, taking in another high alpine path beneath the granite spires, called aiguilles, of the Mont Blanc range. This evening we’ll head into Chamonix for another top-notch culinary experience, this time sampling some traditional Savoyard cuisine.
Cruising along smooth single track away from Courmayeur. (Photo: Lauren Rock)
Day 4
Today we’ll explore the other side of Mont Blanc in Courmayeur, Italy and stop for delicious authentic Italian lunch at Rifugio Bonatti, before heading to the spa.
Watching the sun go down from the Refuge Albert Premier. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 5
We’ll hike up a little-known, dramatic route up, up, up to the French Alpine Club’s Albert Premier hut, a dramatic alpine lodge just a stone’s throw away from the Le Tour glacier.
Moving up the Aiguillette des Posettes. (Photo: Daniel Fitzgerald)
Day 6
After breakfast at Albert Premier, we’ll take a high traverse to the Col de Balme, a mountain café on the Swiss border, where we can pause to take in the views. Tonight we’ll have a wine-tasting featuring wines of the Alps.
Local treats. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 7
It’s time to head our separate ways after a breakfast of french baguettes and croissants at our chalets.
Regional map
What's included
5 nights at a deluxe chalet (either shared ensuite room with twin beds, or a single occupancy ensuite room). One night at a high mountain hut, all dinners, lunches, breakfasts, trail snacks, roundtrip shared shuttle from Geneva Airport to Chamonix, wine tasting, in-tour lifts, trains, and taxis, Pré Saint Didier Spa, license-free photography, Run the Alps certified trail running guides, unique welcome package, special evening talk with champion Skyrunner Hillary Gerardi, Run the Alps' Guide to Trail Running in the Alps and additional supporting materials.Plan to arrive the day your tour starts, at the latest. Note that flights from the US usually arrive on the following day, so schedule accordingly. The closest airport is Geneva, Switzerland. This tour includes a shared shuttle airport pickup at Geneva airport.
For those wanting to spend a few extra days in Chamonix, the “Vallée du Trail” with over 500 kilometers of trail running, we can assist in extending your time and providing self-guided trail running materials, either before or after your tour.
Plan your departure for the day the tour ends at the earliest. Geneva airport is only ninety minutes away by shuttle, so it is possible to leave the day the tour ends as long as your flight’s departure is not before 10 am. If you do need to depart earlier, a private shuttle can typically be arranged at a cost of $220.
Contact us any time if you have any questions.
Want a helping hand to get ready? Run the Alps offers pre-trip coaching at our cost as a benefit to our guests. To read about our Personalized Prep Program, start here. Spaces are limited and this program routinely sells out. Contact us if you’re interested!
Terms and Conditions: Read up on Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions, Covid-19 policy, and travel insurance.
Not Included
Flights to and from Geneva; Drinks with dinner; Tip for guides.
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Book this tour
$5,395/person Single Occupancy
