⛰️ TRAIL TRAINING CAMP · LES CROSETS
Heading for the Tour
des Dents du Midi
Drop your bags at 1,670 m altitude. Six routes start from your door. One goal: complete Europe’s oldest mountain trail race.
Heading for the Tour
1 670m
Village altitude
6
Routes from the door
2 277m
Mossettes high point
57km
The DDM goal
YOUR BASE CAMP
One room. Six routes. One goal.
Designed for trail runners who take their season seriously
A stone’s throw from the Crosets chapel, Chalet Montriond adjusts its hours to training schedules, gladly shares its best GPS tracks, and knows the small trails that don’t appear on official maps.
Le rythme est le vôtre : départ matinal pour profiter de la fraîcheur d’altitude, retour pour un petit-déjeuner solide après votre sortie, journée détente avec vue sur les Dents du Midi.
- ✓ Breakfasts suited to early starts
- ✓ Drying room for shoes & technical clothing
- ✓ Stretching & recovery space
- ✓ GPS tracks for the 6 routes provided on arrival
- ✓ Daily packed lunch tailored to the run profile
- ✓ Coach available on request (Jean-Philippe Tschumi, RDDM)
WHY HERE
The right village, at the right altitude
⛰️
Altitude
At 1,670 m, the village sits in the ideal zone for a gentle altitude effect without compromising the quality of your sessions. You sleep up high, you run up high — your body adapts without you even thinking about it.
🥾
The terrain
From the Crosets chapel, wherever you look, a trail starts. Flat rolling toward Champoussin, steep climbs to the Mossettes, technical alpine pastures toward Chésery, committed alpine paths on the Champéry side. Every surface, every gradient.
🚡
The lifts
The Crosets and Mossettes chairlifts operate all summer, along with 28 lifts open across Portes du Soleil. A valuable asset: tweak your sessions by riding up to focus on descent only — or vice versa. A rare training tool.
SIX ROUTES · ONE VILLAGE
It all starts from Chalet Montriond
Lace up your shoes, step out of the chalet: the trail starts where you place your foot. Six loops to string together over the season, from the gentlest base training to the most committed session.
EASY
MODERATE
DIFFICULT
VERY COMMITTED
MODERATE
DIFFICULT
VERY COMMITTED
01
Alpine pastures loop
Gentle base · recovery
Heading to Champoussin via the high plateau meadows. Chaupalin road, alpine trails, return via the heights. Low technicality — perfect for easy days or active recovery.
02
Frâchette ridge
Discovery · footing quality
Climb through woodland up to the Frâchette shelter, magnificent view of the Dents du Midi. Ridge on a 4×4 track, gently rolling. Ideal for working on trail flow without dealing with big elevation.
03
Ridges & Lakes
Long run · panoramic (circuit #27)
The must-do. Climb to Pointe des Mossettes (360° panorama), descent to Lac Vert and then Lac de Chésery, refreshment stop at Tovassière, return via Col des Portes du Soleil. The full character of the area in one loop.
04
Mossettes — Vertical session
Specific · hill reps
The village’s big wall. 600 m of pure elevation over 3 km from the chapel to the top of the chairlift. Ideal for hill reps or timed “uphill” sessions. Descent available by chairlift to save your legs.
05
Pas de Croisette
Volume · technical (red circuit #28)
More committed: descent down to Val-d’Illiez via ridges and forests, technical climb back via Champoussin. 800 m of net elevation each way. The run that best mimics the climb-descent sequencing of the DDM.
06
Mossettes — Pointe de l’Au — Champoussin
Queen stage · long run
The season’s big run. Mossettes ridges, descent to the Col des Portes de l’Hiver, ascent of Pointe de l’Au (2,153 m), return via Champoussin and the alpine pastures road. Technical and physical: the perfect simulation.
🗺️ ALL THE TRAILS IN THE REGION
The official trail map
of Portes du Soleil & RDDM
48 marked routes across the whole area, levels and distances. Ideal for planning stays and training runs.
GPX track for the 6 routes provided on arrival · Personalised advice based on your DDM goal
⭐ THE FINAL GOAL
The Tour des Dents du Midi
— Europe’s oldest
57
km
3 700
m elev.
7
summits
1963
year created
A loop starting from Champéry that goes around the whole massif, via the Jorat and Susanfe passes, the hamlet of Mex, high-altitude refuges. Created in 1963 by the Swiss army — today it’s the oldest mountain trail race in Europe. The official 7 Summits Challenge.
Format
Distance
Elev.
For whom
DDM 13 — Popular
13 km
550 m
Adults & juniors
DDM 32 — The Initiation
32 km
2 300 m
Start Vérossaz
⭐ DDM 57 — The Original
57 km
3 700 m
Solo or relay
DDM-D — Over 2 days
33+24 km
1 900+1 800
Overnight at Mex
📅 55th edition · 18-19 September 2026 · Champéry (25 min from Les Crosets)
A STRUCTURED SEASON
Built to peak in September
Reach the DDM with the right volume, the right elevation in your legs, and knowledge of the terrain. Here’s how to structure your season at Les Crosets.
June → Mid-July
Base phase
Long runs at moderate intensity, progressive elevation. Aim for 50-70 km/week cumulative, on green and blue routes. Test your kit: pack, shoes, nutrition.
Late July → August
Specific phase
Mimic the goal race: long runs of 30-40 km with 1,500-2,500 m elevation. One or two hill sessions per week on the Mossettes climb. Altitude is fully in play.
Early September
Taper phase
The final two weeks. Volume down, intensity maintained. Ideal moment to recon the key DDM sections: Salanfe, Bonavau footbridge, descent to Champéry.
18-19 September
The payoff
The Trail des Dents du Midi. 57 km, 3,700 m of elevation, seven summits skirted. Six months of preparation culminate in this legendary loop.
PACKAGES & RATES
Two packages to target the DDM
Price per person in shared double room. Meals adapted to the day’s training profile.
Discovery Camp
2 nights · 3 days
CHF290
per person · from
- 2 nights in double room
- 2 trail-runner breakfasts (early start possible)
- 2 daily packed lunches
- 2 three-course dinners at the chalet restaurant
- Drying room & stretching space
- GPS tracks for the 6 routes
- Illiez Card (local benefits)
⭐ MOST POPULAR
Preparation Camp
4 nights · 5 days
CHF520
per person · from
- 4 nights in double room
- 4 trail-runner breakfasts
- 4 personalised daily packed lunches
- 4 three-course dinners at the chalet restaurant
- Sauna access for recovery
- Drying room & stretching space
- GPS tracks for the 6 routes + planning advice
- Illiez Card & Multi Pass (stay 2+ nights)
Low season rates · single room supplement +CHF 50/night · child -30%
Indicative rates for 2026 season — confirmation at booking
Indicative rates for 2026 season — confirmation at booking
✓ Included in all packages
- → Accommodation in shared double room
- → Adapted breakfasts (early start possible)
- → Personalised daily packed lunches
- → Three-course dinner at the chalet restaurant
- → Drying room for shoes & clothing
- → Stretching & recovery space
- → GPS .gpx tracks for the 6 routes
- → Illiez Card (avantages locaux)
- → High-speed Wi-Fi · free parking
📦 To bring / equipment
- → Trail shoes (lugged soles)
- → Hydration pack 5-15 L
- → GPS watch (or phone with tracking app)
- → Lightweight waterproof jacket
- → Trail poles (recommended on routes 04 and 06)
- → Personal gels & energy bars
- → High SPF sunscreen (UV at altitude)
- → Personal first aid (anti-inflammatories, blisters)
- → Lift pass (extra, from CHF 18/day)
OUR ADVICE
Six tips to make your stay a real training camp
01
Multiple stays across the season
Ideal: a stay in June (base), one in August (specific), one in early September (taper + DDM recon). The altitude effect builds over time, not in a week.
02
Alternate long run & technical session
One long run per week (route 5 or 6), one hill session (route 4), one recovery run (route 1 or 2). Avoid days that string long+hills — your Achilles tendon will thank you.
03
Use the lifts intelligently
The Mossettes chairlift can be a great recovery tool: clean trail descent from the top without smashing your legs on the climb. Or vice versa to save the knees.
04
Recon the DDM route in August
Salanfe, Susanfe, the Bonavau footbridge, the descent to Champéry. One recon day is worth a thousand Excel spreadsheets. You’ll know where to save and where to push.
05
Multi Pass & Illiez Card
If you stay more than 2 nights, your host gives them to you for free. Access to many local activities and discounts — handy for active recovery days.
06
Don’t neglect recovery
The Val-d’Illiez thermal baths are 15 min from the village. A cold-then-hot plunge after a big run works wonders on soreness and sleep quality.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We’ve got answers
Do I need to be an experienced runner to come?
No. Routes 01 and 02 are perfect for beginner runners or those returning from a break. The 6 routes’ graduated difficulty means everyone finds their level. If you’re aiming for DDM 13 (13 km · 550 m elev.), a 2-night stay is enough. For DDM 32 or 57, several stays across the season are recommended.
What is the best time to come?
The trail season at Les Crosets runs from late June to mid-October. June for base (trails in bloom), July-August for specific runs (bearable heat at altitude), early September for taper and DDM recon. The lifts generally operate from late June to early September.
Are the packed lunches suited to the effort?
Yes. Our kitchen prepares lunches suited to your run profile: energy sandwiches, dried fruit, homemade bars, local cheese, insulated flask. Tell us the day before which route and expected duration — we calibrate.
Can I leave before breakfast?
Yes! For dawn departures (long run), we prepare a takeaway breakfast the night before. Pick up your bag on the way out and the usual breakfast remains available on your return if you’re back before 11am.
Is there a coach on site?
No permanent coach at the hotel, but we work with Jean-Philippe Tschumi, leading trail runner of the Dents du Midi region who offers 2 or 3-day camps in Morgins (from CHF 550). On request, we can arrange a personalised coaching session during your stay.
What if the weather is bad?
In the mountains, weather changes fast. In case of storms, we switch to route 01 (lower, shorter) or turn the day into recovery: Val-d’Illiez thermal baths, chalet sauna, stretching session, visit to Ferme à Gaby. Our team guides you in real time.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 21 days before arrival. Between 21 and 7 days: 50% of the stay charged. Less than 7 days: full stay charged (cancellation insurance recommended). In case of documented injury before arrival: free rescheduling within the season.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome at the chalet (CHF 15/night supplement). However, keep in mind that the alpine pastures are guarded by Patou dogs in summer — ask our team about routes suited to your companion.
PERSONALISED REQUEST
Un projet de stage trail ?
Tell us your goal (DDM 13, 32 or 57), the dates that suit you, your current level. We reply within 24h with a tailored programme.
If the form does not appear, contact us directly:
⛰️ THE SPIRIT OF THE CAMP
“You won’t go and chase the Tour,
it is the Tour that comes to you.Every day, from your bedroom window,
the seven summits watch you prepare.“