La Nocturne du Loup is a night ski-mountaineering race starting from Les Violettes, in Crans-Montana. Its 17th edition takes place on Saturday 9 January 2027.
The story
In the summer of 2010, a wolf arrived on the Aminona mountain pastures. The race was born from this episode. Its first edition was held on 17 Dec. 2010. Since then, it has taken place every winter, at nightfall.
The early editions were held on the wolf’s territory, at Aminona. In 2015, the race moved to the Violettes sector. It brings together experienced athletes and amateurs on the same start line. The edition of 7 Mar. 2026 had 250 registered entrants, according to VS-Timing.
Who organises it
The association La Nocturne du Loup organises the race. Léandre Berclaz chairs the committee. Christophe Bonvin is race director, Olivier Maehli is treasurer and Delphine Balmer handles communication. Claudy Clavien coordinates the volunteers, with Sébastien Berclaz and Thibaud Beytrison as members.
What to find
The race has three groups. Racers are ranked by age category, from the youth category to men aged 55 and over. The popular category is open from age 13. Hikers, also from age 13, take part without timing or ranking.
According to Switzerland Tourism, the course is 4.5 km long. It starts at 1,507 m and finishes at 2,225 m, a climb of 718 m for adults and 572 m for young people. It passes the National stadium, the Tonossi chalet and the Cabane des Bois. The finish is at the Violettes self-service restaurant.
Racers must carry touring skis, poles, climbing skins, a head torch and gloves. Popular-category entrants and hikers may use snowshoes. A meal brings all participants together at the top. Skiing down at night is forbidden, and the Violettes gondola takes everyone back down after the meal.
Practical information
- Dates, Saturday 9 January 2027
- Times, hikers start at 5.30 pm, popular category at 6 pm and racers at 7 pm
- Venue, Violettes start, ski area, 3963 Crans-Montana
- Age, from 13
- Registration, at vs-timing.ch, limited places
We have gathered here all the information published by the organiser to date. Do you have more? Write to us, and the article will be completed.
Links
- Official site, La Nocturne du Loup
- Registration, VS-Timing, Nocturne du Loup
- All events across French-speaking Switzerland, Genève Infos Agenda
Sources
- La Nocturne du Loup, home page, accessed on 14 November 2026
- La Nocturne du Loup, History, accessed on 14 November 2026
- La Nocturne du Loup, Organising committee, accessed on 14 November 2026
- La Nocturne du Loup, Rules, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Switzerland Tourism, La Nocturne du Loup, accessed on 14 November 2026
- VS-Timing, Nocturne du Loup, accessed on 14 November 2026
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