Trail Running Skills with the Mirnavator
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Sep 7 - 13, 2025 | 7 days - 6 nights |
Join The Mirnavator to learn trail running skills in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in the French Alps – the world’s trail running capital. Build up the knowledge and experience you need to take you from runner to competent mountain trail runner!
If you’ve been running for a while, and are now psyched to get out on the trails, this trip will give you the skills and confidence you need. In a light-hearted and non-judgmental setting, Mirna Valerio and experienced Run the Alps guides will spend time covering a range of trail running topics, with individual feedback to best help you on your trail running journey.
As well as being an experienced sponsored trail runner, an advocate for inclusion in the trail running community, and successful writer and speaker, Mirna is one of the most fun and positive people we’ve ever met. Her passion for trail running and the mountains of the Alps is contagious, and Mirna will be there to support you as you share in this trail running experience.
On this level 1 tour, we’ll be running around 6–13km (4–8 miles) with 300–915m (1000–3000ft) of climbing and descending each day, with some options to shorten or lengthen the running route.
Learn more about level 1 tours:
On this trip, we’ll cover essential skills for trail running:
- warm-up sessions before each run and stretching sessions afterwards
- strength, mobility and injury prevention workshop
- ascending and descending slopes
- effective use of poles
- moving on technical terrain
- what gear to use
Throughout the week you’ll also learn how to plan your own trail running routes safely and navigate along the way. This will culminate in the group having more of an active role in deciding the running route at the end of the week, taking into account the weather, the terrain and your trail running goals.
We won’t be running all day, though. There’s time to enjoy relaxing and recuperating in your hotel spa, checking out the famous town of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and indulging in local culinary delights. We’ll visit our favorite restaurants in town, some specializing in traditional cuisine like fondue or tartiflette, and others with more modern fusion. One afternoon, we’ll have a tasting of local wines, juices and cheeses – another way to learn more about the local culture!
Please note: Day-to-day itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions. All route distances and vertical are approximate. Most days you’ll have the option to shorten the runs.
Lead photos: Sam Hill
Book this tour
Single Supplement: $750
Itinerary
Chamonix selfie. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1
You’ll arrive at the Geneva, Switzerland airport and take a 1.5 hour shared shuttle to Chamonix, France where you can settle into your spa hotel.
Poles are handy in the Alps. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 2
After a hearty buffet breakfast, we’ll start our route straight from the hotel, running on beautiful trails along the Arve river and part of the Petit Balcon Sud balcony trail. We’ll consider how to warm up for trail running and introduce the use of poles for walking and running.
Stopping to enjoy the view above Chamonix on the 2023 Mirnavator in the Alps trip. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 3
Today we’ll take the train to the village of Argentière, where the varied trails give us the opportunity to develop and adapt our pole technique for ascending and descending. After enjoying ice creams and stopping by the bakery in Argentière, we’ll return to Chamonix for a strength and mobility session.
Wine tasting. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 4
Today we’ll run on the “Grand Balcon Sud,” a balcony traverse above the treeline in the Aiguilles Rouges mountains. This famous trail provides a great location for practicing skills for moving confidently on rocky and technical terrain. We return to Chamonix by train for an afternoon wine tasting experience.
Building skills on technical trails. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 5
We start the day with a train ride to the hamlet of Le Buet. We’ll run into the Berard valley, passing an impressive waterfall, before looping back to Le Buet, where we can get the train back to Chamonix. On the trail we’ll look at navigating using maps and phone apps, then in the afternoon you’ll work with our guides to plan your own trail run for tomorrow!
Mirna in the Alps on our 2024 trip. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 6
Today you take the lead! Bringing together the skills you’ve learned during the week, we’ll break up into smaller groups and you’ll lead the trail run you planned yesterday with input from our guides.
Chamonix train station.(Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 7
Today we say au revoir to Chamonix, Mirna and our new friends. Your tour ends after breakfast at your hotel with a shared, 90-minute shuttle back to the Geneva Airport.
Regional map
What's included
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader.
- Accommodation for six nights a 4 star hotel with a spa.
- Buffet breakfasts, light lunches, premium trail nutrition, wine and cheese tasting, 5 dinners
- Special guest Mirna Valerio.
- Skills workshops with athletes, physios, and coaches.
- A copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps (get a sneak peek here), which contains plenty of information and tips from the staff and guide team at Run the Alps.
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 pickup at the Geneva Airport. If you’d like to arrive a day or more before the tour starts, the shuttle is still included.
Plan your departure for the day the tour ends at the earliest. Since the Geneva airport is only ninety minutes away by shuttle, it is possible to leave the day the tour ends. If your flight departure time is before 10am, a private shuttle is required at an added cost of $240.
- Celebrating a special occasion? Each year we get a number of guests who are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or retirement with a Run the Alps trip. If this is you, let us know!
- The Hub: Additional nights before or after your trip can be booked at Run the Alps’ unique deluxe chalet for trail runners visiting Chamonix, The Hub. Please contact us if you would like to stay with us at The Hub.
- Want to extend your trip with more running? We can help provide self-guided run descriptions for nearby regions of the Alps, and/or trail race options.
- Concerned about being ready? We’re here to help. Check out our Alps Training Resources here or get in touch if you’d like to be put in touch with a coach.
- Alumni Discount: We love welcoming our alumni back to the Alps and offer a 10% discount on all standard Run the Alps trips. Simply check the Alumni box on the registration form and we’ll apply the discount when we invoice you.
- Tour Balance: Your tour balance is due 90 days before your tour starts. We will send you an invoice about a month before that due date. However, you can pay your balance at any time. If you’d like the simplicity of paying in full sooner, or would like to pay in installments, please contact us.
- Trip Insurance: Life can sometimes throw us a curveball and wreak havoc upon the best laid plans, which is why Run the Alps requires trip insurance. Learn more here.
- Terms and Conditions: You can read up on them here.
Guides for this Tour
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Book this tour
Single Supplement: $750