Regulations
ORGANIZATION: The Club des Sports de Val d’Isère (association loi 1901) is organizing the Odlo High Trail Vanoise.
EVENTS
The Odlo High Trail Vanoise is an event featuring several trails and glacier sections. Each event is subject to time limits.
The Vanoise High Trail :
- 67 km trail with 4100 d+/-, containing 6 time barriers and a maximum race time of 15h30.
- Departure on Saturday, July 11, 2025 at 04:30.
- Open to anyone in the year they turn 20 or over.
- 600 seats.
The 5 Cols Trail :
- 35 km trail with 2250 d+/-, including 3 time barriers and a maximum race time of 09:30.
- Departure on Saturday, July 11, 2025 at 07:30.
- Open to anyone in the year they turn 20 or over.
- 600 seats.
Visit Balconies :
- 20 km trail with 1150 d+/-, 3 time barriers and a maximum race time of 04h00.
- Departure on Sunday, July 12, 2025 at 09:00 am.
- Open to anyone in the year they turn 20 or over.
- Maximum 600 entries.
La petite Vanoise charity:
- 8km trail or charity walk for 280 d+/-.
- Departure on Saturday, July 12, 2026 at 10:00 am.
- Maximum 600 entries.
Trail Youth/Children :
- 0.8km non-timed course
- Open to children in the Éveil Athlétique category: 7 – 9 years old, born between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2018
- 1.25km timed course
- Open to children in the Minimes, Benjamins and Poussins categories (aged 10-15) born between 01/01/2010 and 31/12/2015.
- Departure on Saturday, July 11, 2025 from 10:30 am.
- Awards ceremony [schedule to come]
- Free registration
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
|
Hardware |
HTV (67km) |
Trail 5 Cols (35km) |
Balcons (20 km) |
| Water supply 1L min | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory 0.5L |
| Food reserve | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Survival blanket | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Waterproof windbreaker with hood | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Pair of gloves | Mandatory | Recommended | Optional |
| Sunglasses | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| Cell phone (charged, switched on, working on the French network) | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Headlamp | Mandatory | Optional | / |
| Hat OR Cap OR Buff | Mandatory | Mandatory | Optional |
| Yaktrax or equivalent (mandatory according to pisteurs’ instructions on the Pisaillas glacier) | Strongly recommended | / | / |
| Reusable cup (in addition to water supply) | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Whistle | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Sticks |
Mandatory. Athletes must keep their poles with them throughout the race. Penalties will be applied for cheating.
|
Optional. If the athlete uses sticks, he must keep them with him throughout the race. Penalties will be applied for cheating.
|
Optional. If the athlete uses sticks, he must keep them with him throughout the race. Penalties will be applied for cheating.
|
| Medical adhesive tape | Recommended | Recommended | / |
| Sun cream | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| BAD WEATHER KIT: Waterproof survival bag containing the following items: warm long-sleeved T-shirt + long tights OR ¾-length tights with high socks. | Not activated (Depending on weather conditions, the organizer may activate/deactivate a kit and informs each participant of this before the start of the race) | Mandatory (Depending on weather conditions, the organizer may activate/deactivate a kit and inform each participant before the start of the race number distribution) | Optional |
| CANICULE KIT: Additional 0.5L water reserve | Not activated (Depending on weather conditions, the organizer may activate/deactivate a kit and inform each participant before the start of the race number distribution) | Compulsory (Depending on weather conditions, the organizer may activate/deactivate a kit and inform each participant before the start of the race) | Optional |
PENALTIES
|
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES |
PENALTY (*) – DISQUALIFICATION |
| Cutting the route (e.g. taking shortcuts and/or overtaking off-piste, particularly in nature reserves and other protected areas). | As decided by race management |
| Absence of mandatory safety equipment (total absence of water supply, no waterproof jacket with hood or non-conforming jacket, no lamp, no survival blanket, no smartphone). | Disqualification |
| Other absence of compulsory equipment (including 1 single lamp or insufficient water supply) | 1-hour penalty, during which the competitor is asked to obtain the missing item. |
| Refusal of a mandatory equipment check | Disqualification |
| Smartphone switched off or in airplane mode | 15-minute penalty during which the rider must restore his smartphone to working order |
| Throwing of garbage or non-use of the organization’s toilets (voluntary act) by a competitor or a member of his entourage. | 1-hour penalty |
| Non-respect of persons (organization or runners) Nota bene: a participant whose supporters show incivility and/or refuse to respect the organizer’s instructions will be penalized. | Disqualification |
| Non-assistance to a person in difficulty (in need of care) | Disqualification (in addition to the penal risks incurred) |
| Assistance and/or refuelling outside authorized zones | 1-hour penalty |
| Accompaniment (even without physical contact) on the course outside the tolerance zones | 15-minute penalty per notification |
| Cheating (e.g. using a means of transport, sharing a race number, etc.) | Immediate disqualification for life |
| Failure to wear race number correctly | Immediate replacement of race number, otherwise disqualification. |
| Proven dangerous behaviour (e.g. sticks with unprotected tips pointing at runners or spectators, dangerous overtaking) | 15-minute penalty |
| Absence of an electronic timing chip | As decided by race management |
| Failure to pass a checkpoint | As decided by race management |
| Refusal to obey an order from race management, a race steward, a station chief, a doctor or a first-aider. | Disqualification |
| Refusal of doping control | The rider will be sanctioned in the same way as if he were convicted of doping. |
| Departure from a checkpoint after the time limit | Disqualification |
| Use of poles not taken with you at the start of the race or abandonment of poles during the race. | 1-hour penalty |
| Failure by a competitor or a member of his or her entourage to use public or organization toilets whenever possible. | As decided by race management |
RACE BRIEFING
REGISTRATIONS
Registration for the High Trail Vanoise or Trail des 5 Cols entitles you to :
- At refuelling points
- A runner’s bag
- Finisher beer
- Admission to the pool is free, subject to availability – pick up your bib at the info point in the partners’ village.
- Specific features of the High Trail Vanoise (65 km) : Warning: this trail is for experienced runners only. It takes place partly in the high mountains. Given the start time and distance, part of the race is run at night. The final section of the glacier is specially marked for your safety. Signs and marshals will tell you what to do so as not to endanger yourself. It is forbidden to overtake on this section, and you must obey the instructions of the trackers!
Registration for the Balconies entitles you to :
- At refuelling points
- A runner’s bag
- Finisher beer
- Admission to the pool is free, subject to availability – pick up your bib at the info point in the partners’ village.
Registration for the Course Verticale entitles you to :
- At the feed station at the finish
- A runner’s bag
- Finisher beer
- Admission to the pool is free, subject to availability – pick up your bib at the info point in the partners’ village.
- Be fully aware of the length and mountain specificity of the event, and be perfectly trained for it.
- To have acquired, prior to the race, a real capacity for personal autonomy enabling them to manage the problems inherent in this type of event, and in particular :
- Know how to cope with weather conditions that can be very difficult due to altitude (wind, cold, rain, storm, hail or snow), without outside help.
- Know how to manage physical or mental problems resulting from fatigue, digestive problems, muscular or joint pain, minor injuries…
- To be fully aware that the role of the organization is not to help a runner manage his “little problems”.
- To be fully aware that for such an outdoor activity, safety depends on the rider’s ability to adapt to encountered or foreseeable problems.
- In accordance with articles L231-2 and L 231-3 of the French Sports Code and the regulations governing running events of the French Athletics Federation (FFA), adults must :
- hold an Athlé Compétition, Athlé Entreprise or Athlé Running license issued by the FFA and valid on the date of the event;
- or have completed the Health Prevention Pathway (or “PPS”) set up by the FFA via its dedicated platform, the PPS having to be completed no more than three months before the date of the event.
REGISTRATION CLOSING
All registrations will be final only after receipt of payment and PPS (to be completed no earlier than 3 months before the event) or a sports license (see FFA 2025 rules).
Registration for Odlo High Trail Vanoise races closes :
Registration is online until the following dates:
– High Trail Vanoise, Trail des 5 Cols, Balcons, la petite Vanoise charity : [date à venir]
– Children’s timed trail : [date à venir]
– Only the untimed Kids Trail offers on-site registration on the day of the event.
THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES
| Masters | VE | 1990 and earlier |
| Seniors | SE | 1991 à 2002 |
| Espoirs | ES | 2003 à 2005 |
| Juniors | JU | 2006 and 2007 |
| Cadets Masters M and W | CA M0 | 2008 and 2009 1990 – 1986 |
| M1 | 1985 – 1981 | |
| M2 | 1980 – 1976 | |
| M3 | 1975 – 1971 | |
| M4 | 1970 – 1966 | |
| M5 | 1965 – 1961 | |
| M6 | 1960 – 1956 | |
| M7 | 1955 – 1951 | |
| M8 | 1950 – 1946 | |
| M9 | 1945 – 1941 | |
| M10 | 1940 and earlier |
BIB WITHDRAWAL
Bib numbers can be collected [place and date to be confirmed]. Bags will be checked when race numbers are collected.
Practical information:
- The bib must be visible at all times. It can be worn either on the chest or on the thigh.
- Bib numbers will be issued individually on presentation of proof of identity. This sign-off is proof of the runner’s departure and acceptance of the regulations in their entirety.
- In the event of non-start of the trailer, please inform the organization and hand in your number as soon as possible to a member of the organization with the chip from the bag.
- Provide safety pins.
RESCUE, SAFETY, ABANDONMENT
Safety and rescue services are provided by marshals, first-aiders and a medical team. They are in radio or telephone contact with race HQ. A medical regulation team is on hand in the Val d’Isère finish area.
Although maximum safety measures have been taken, the fact remains that the environment we travel through does not allow us to intervene as quickly as we would in an urban environment. Your safety will therefore depend on the quality of the items you have packed in your bag.
Costs arising from the use of exceptional rescue or evacuation means will be borne by the person rescued (or by the insurance policy taken out at the time of registration), who must also ensure their return from the place where they were evacuated.
Aid stations are intended to provide assistance to any person in danger, using the organization’s own or contracted resources. Except in cases where the rider’s state of health requires emergency evacuation, a rider must not abandon the race at any point other than a checkpoint offering a repatriation solution.
It is the responsibility of any runner in difficulty or seriously injured to call for help:
- By going to a first-aid station
- By calling Race HQ: +33(0) 7 81 18 47 73
- Asking another rider to call for help
- Dial 112
It is the responsibility of each runner to provide assistance to any person in danger and to notify the emergency services. Any runner who fails to assist another runner in distress will be disqualified for life from the Odlo High Trail Vanoise races! In particular, first-aiders and official doctors are authorized:
- to disqualify (by invalidating the number) any competitor unfit to continue the race
- To evacuate, by any means at their disposal, any riders they deem unable to continue.
In the event of withdrawal, it is imperative and compulsory to report this to the nearest checkpoint and hand in your number and the chip attached to your bag. The organization declines all responsibility in the event of accident or failure due to poor health. Vehicles will be set up at the La Daille, Le Fornet, Iseran and Bonneval sur Arc departures for runners who have dropped out and/or are not on time. In the event of withdrawal after a checkpoint, it is compulsory to notify Race HQ. If the runner encounters closers at the checkpoint, they will invalidate the race number. The runner is then no longer under the control of the organization. Any runner withdrawn from the race and wishing to continue may do so only after returning his or her number and chip, under his or her own responsibility and in complete autonomy.
REFUELLING AND CHECKPOINTS
Two types of refreshments are available:
- Full provisioning: drinks, sweet cakes, chocolate, banana, orange, savoury cookies, cold cuts, cheese, bread, vermicelli soup, tea
- Liquid supplies: drinks only
High Trail Vanoise :
- 4 full-service refreshments
- 1 liquid supply
- 1 source
- 8 clocking stations
- 6 time gates
- A deadline for classification (*)
Trail 5 Cols :
- 2 full-service refreshments
- 3 clocking stations
- 4 time gates
- A deadline for classification (*)
Les Balcons :
- 1 full supply
- 1 liquid supply
- 2 time gates
- A deadline for classification (*)
La petite Vanoise charity:
- 1 liquid supply
- 1 time barrier
- A deadline for classification (*)
Kids/Youth Trail :
- No refuelling
- No time barrier
(*) subject to changes indicated at briefing
RIDER ASSISTANCE
Assistance is tolerated for High Trail Vanoise and Trail des 5 Cols runners at full refreshment points. Assistance must take place close to these refreshment points (maximum 20m before or after the refreshment station).
The people in charge of this assistance must not interfere with the smooth running of the race, and may not help themselves at the refreshment points. Penalties (including possible disqualification) will be applied to riders who fail to comply with this rule!
PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY
For each Odlo High Trail Vanoise race, a general ranking and a ranking by category will be established. Prizes will only be awarded in the presence of the runners being rewarded; it will not be possible to receive prizes after the race. No prize money will be awarded. Winners will be rewarded with a basket of local produce and a medal.
ENVIRONMENT
Participants, companions and the general public will have to cross protected natural areas with specific regulations (PNV, RNN Grande Sassière and Bailletaz).
They can obtain information from the Tourist Office on how to evolve in this protected natural environment and respect the following rules:
- No littering.
- It is forbidden to use any means or thing which, by its noise, is likely to disturb animals or disturb the calm or tranquillity of the premises. Whistles and other noisemakers may be used in the event of an emergency.
- It is forbidden to use any means or thing which, by its light, is likely to disturb animals or the peace and quiet of the area. Competitors’ individual portable lights and lights used for effective rescue are authorized.
- No bivouacking or camping.
- Absolute necessity to respect the warnings and the ban on cutting the trail’s switchbacks to limit the risk of erosion.
- A large number of sorting garbage cans are available in the start/finish area and must be used at all times.
- Appropriate signage is displayed when crossing nature reserves.
INSURANCE
Civil liability liability” insurance :
The organizer takes out civil liability insurance with AXA Assurance N° 6460543104 for the duration of the event. This liability insurance covers the financial consequences of its liability, and that of its employees and participants.
Individual accident insurance :
Each competitor must be in possession of personal accident insurance covering any search and evacuation costs in France. Such insurance may be taken out with any organization of the competitor’s choice. Helicopter evacuations are subject to a fee. The choice of evacuation depends exclusively on the organization, which will always give priority to the safety of the runners.
CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION
Cancellation insurance (taken out at the time of registration) is valid only on presentation of appropriate medical proof or proof of business travel from your employer. If you have not taken out cancellation insurance at the time of registration, there is no possibility of refund. Cancellation insurance is only available for High Trail Vanoise, Trail des 5 Cols and Les Balcons. All cancellations must be made by e-mail or post. No cancellations will be accepted by telephone or fax.
- In the event of cancellation for a reason described in the above paragraph, the competitor may, if he/she has subscribed to it at the time of registration, activate his/her registration cancellation guarantee by sending us the necessary supporting documents with his/her letter of withdrawal (see paragraph above).
- In the event of injury to the runner, and only in this case, occurring after registration and not completely healable for the day of the race, the organization recommends that the injured runner not put himself unnecessarily in danger, cancel his registration and apply to postpone his race to the following year. To do this, the runner must submit a request to the organization’s Medical Committee. This request must be accompanied by a detailed medical file. If the Medical Committee gives a positive opinion, the runner will be given priority for registration in the same race the following year.
The medical committee is the sole judge of postponement requests, and its decision is final. All requests for postponement must be received, together with the medical file, no later than 10 days after the event. Requests are processed within two months of the event. In the event of business travel, please provide a certificate from your employer.
For other races where it is not possible to take out cancellation insurance, please refer to the following paragraph (Inability to start). In the case of cancellation insurance, only the cost of registration can be reimbursed (minus the 2€ re-crediting fee). Options such as web fees, bus, bivouac, sms, etc. cannot be reimbursed.
For a competitor, reimbursement of registration fees will be made by partial credit of the payment to the bank account associated with the credit card used for registration, under the following conditions:
|
Sending date |
Amount re-credited as a % of the registration fee (excl. fees) |
|
Before February 15th |
60% |
|
February 16 to April 15 |
50% |
|
April 16 to June 15 |
40% |
|
No refunds after June 15 |
|
Numbers may not be exchanged, transferred or resold before or during the race. Withdrawal of a runner does not give the right to exchange, transfer or resell the number to someone else. Registered runners may not be replaced or represented by a third party.
CLAIMS
All complaints must be made in writing by the offending rider only. The offending rider must lodge his complaint with race HQ within a maximum of 1 hour of his arrival. No complaints will be accepted from accompanying persons or spectators.
RACE MODIFICATIONS/CANCELLATION
The organizers reserve the right to modify start times and time barriers, the course, and the location of aid stations and refreshment posts at any time, without prior notice.
In the event of unfavorable weather conditions or for safety reasons, the organizers may decide to move all HTV and T5C competitors to an alternative course, without compensating the runners. In the event of extreme conditions, the organizers reserve the right to stop any event in progress. It also reserves the right to cancel all events without prior notice.
The organizing committee reserves the right to modify the regulations before the race, in which case the modifications will be communicated at the race briefing and before the start. No reimbursement will be made in the event of force majeure (weather warning for the safety of our runners, heatwave, terrorism, prohibition by the prefecture, etc.).
IMAGE RIGHTS
All competitors expressly waive their right to use their image during the event, as well as any recourse against the organizer and its authorized partners for the use of their image. Any communication about the event or use of images of the event must respect the name of the event, registered trademarks and the official agreement of the organization.
PUBLICATION OF RESULTS
Race results may be published on the Odlo High Trail Vanoise website.. If a participant objects to this publication, he/she must inform the organizer.
