No walls, no barbed wire here: this is a snow trail run on foot, with just a symbolic “fire jump” at the finish. For this 5th edition, meet on Sunday 13 December 2026 for a 10 km or 21 km along the ski slopes and through the high-altitude forests.
The information below comes from the official Spartan website and the race's 2026 rules. The full athlete guide, published a few weeks before the event, prevails if anything changes.
- Dates and weekend schedule
- 10 km or 21 km: which one?
- Prices and registration 2026
- The course: snow, no obstacles
- Mandatory gear: the list not to miss
- The 5 mistakes that get you disqualified
- Rankings and prizes
- The atmosphere on video
- Spectators: coming to watch
- Parking, getting there, getting around
- Where to stay for the Winter Trail
- After the race: recover and enjoy
- FAQ — Spartan Winter Trail Morzine
📅 Dates and weekend schedule
The race takes place on Sunday 13 December 2026, with bib pick-up the day before. Here is the schedule published by the organiser:
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Saturday 12 December 3:00 – 7:00 pm | Bib pick-up (10 km and 21 km), festival opens |
| Sunday 13 December 7:30 – 9:30 am | Bib pick-up (last chance) |
| 9:00 am | 21 km start |
| 10:00 am | 10 km start |
| ~11:00 am | Estimated finish of the first athletes |
| 1:00 pm | Awards ceremony (10 km and 21 km) |
| 4:00 pm | Village closes |
📏 10 km or 21 km: which one?
| Format | Start | Minimum age | Starting price | Time limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 km | 10:00 am | 16 | €35 | 3 hours |
| 21 km | 9:00 am | 20 | €50 | 7 hours |
What about elevation? The organiser has not published it yet for 2026. For the 2023 edition, a race report mentioned about 470 m of D+ for the 10 km and 1,150 m for the 21 km. The route may change: check the athlete guide.
💶 Prices and registration 2026
- 10 km (age 16+): €35 — starting price
- 21 km (age 20+): €50 — starting price
These are the “starting prices” shown on the official race page: as is common, prices may change as places fill up. Registration is online only. Bibs are personal and non-transferable.
What's included
- A finisher T-shirt and medal (only if you finish)
- A timing chip and a ranking
- Aid stations on the course and a post-finish refreshment
- A bag check (cabin-size bags only)
- Access to the festival area and its atmosphere
- A “Trailfecta” slice on the medal: collect them to complete all three distances in one year
🏔️ The course: snow, no obstacles
The start and finish are in Morzine, at the Tourist Office square (2026 rules). The route follows paths, mountain trails, forest tracks and a few road crossings, alongside the ski slopes and through high-altitude forests.
The organiser is clear: “in fresh snow or not much yet at that time, you will have to run in snow in any case”. The variety of terrain and unpredictable conditions make this race unique.
Reports from previous editions place the course in the Pléney – Nyon area. The 2026 route and aid station locations will be shared about 30 days before the event: see the event page. Note: the Spartan registration page lists the Palais des Sports as the venue address, while the rules give the Tourist Office square for start and finish; the athlete guide will settle it.
🎒 Mandatory gear: the list not to miss
Gear is checked before the start. A runner without everything, or with unusable equipment, is disqualified on the spot. Here is the list from the 2026 rules:
| Equipment | 10 km | 21 km |
|---|---|---|
| Reusable cup or glass (no cups provided at aid stations) | Yes | Yes |
| Headlamp + spare batteries | Yes | Yes |
| Survival blanket (min. 1 × 2 m) | Yes | Yes |
| Charged mobile phone | Yes | Yes |
| Beanie in your bag | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof Gore-Tex-type jacket | Yes | Yes |
| Water reservoir (camelbak-type) | 0.5 L minimum | 1 L minimum |
| Bib visible on the front, not folded or cut | Yes | Yes |
| ID document | Yes | Yes |
| Up-to-date PPS | Yes | Yes |
Recommended: cap or scarf, sunglasses, sun cream (snow reflects), a breathable jacket, and a long-sleeve thermal top. Avoid cotton; choose technical fabrics.
⚠️ The 5 mistakes that get you disqualified
All five come from the official rules. They are easy to avoid once you know them.
-
1
Arriving late at the start The clock starts at the set time. Showing up more than 15 minutes after the start means disqualification. Allow 90 minutes for parking, bib pick-up and the gear check.
-
2
Missing a piece of mandatory gear Cup, survival blanket, waterproof jacket, the right water reservoir size… The check is done at the start, and any missing or defective item is eliminatory.
-
3
Turning up without a PPS or ID A valid Parcours Prévention Santé is required to collect your bib (health questionnaire for minors). No document, no race.
-
4
Getting help outside the aid zones Outside assistance is only allowed within the aid station zone (50 m before and after). Anywhere else, receiving help from someone who is not a participant means immediate disqualification.
-
5
Dropping litter or skipping a checkpoint Litter dropped outside bins disqualifies. Checkpoints are placed at random spots: skipping one brings a penalty or even disqualification.
Safety and dropping out
A first-aid post is set up at the finish, and marshals are posted along the course. In case of injury, the emergency number is printed on your bib. If you drop out at a checkpoint or aid station, tell the staff: your chip is removed and the organisation takes you back to the finish (Tourist Office). Between two points, you must reach the nearest post on your own. The race director may suspend or stop the race for safety reasons (weather, for example), with no refund.
🏆 Rankings and prizes
Each format has two rankings, men and women separately:
- Overall ranking: the top three (M/F) of each distance receive the “DELTA” trophy. They are not eligible for age-group prizes.
- Age groups: podium medal (gold, silver, bronze) for the top three of each category.
| Format | Age groups |
|---|---|
| 10 km | 16-17 · 18-29 · 30-39 · 40-49 · 50-59 · 60+ |
| 21 km | 20-29 · 30-39 · 40-49 · 50-59 · 60+ |
Race photos are taken by Sportograf: wear your bib clearly visible so the system recognises you automatically.
🎬 The atmosphere on video
To get a feel for the atmosphere, the snowy terrain and the finish, here is the 2023 edition “Best Of”, published by Spartan France TV.
2023 edition video · Watch on YouTube
👀 Spectators: coming to watch
The festival opens on Saturday afternoon, when bibs are collected, and welcomes you all weekend: music, local food and drinks, and the famous Spartan start and finish line. It is the best place to see the starts (9 am and 10 am), the first finishers around 11 am and the fire jump.
Spectators can also discover the Spartan Kids Race and try activities in the festival area. The exact kids' programme is published by the organiser: see the event page.
🚗 Parking, getting there, getting around
- Parking: a car park is planned near the site. Details will be in the athlete guide. Arrive early, especially for the 9 am start.
- Bag check: included in your registration, cabin-size bags only.
- Roads: the organisation only closes traffic intermittently. Follow road safety rules at crossings.
- Free shuttles: in winter, line C serves Morzine. Check the start-of-season timetable before you come (see our guide to the Morzine shuttles).
- Weather: before you leave, check our Morzine weather and webcams guide to anticipate snow and cold.
More tips in our guide to free parking in Morzine.
🏡 Where to stay for the Winter Trail
The 12-13 December weekend comes before the Morzine ski area opens, but the village still fills up: runners, supporters and early holidaymakers. What matters is being able to reach the 9 am start without stress.
- In the centre: handy for the festival and a walk to the start, but availability disappears fast.
- A little higher up: quieter, provided you have private parking and a shuttle stop nearby.
🏔️ Your base for the Winter Trail weekend
Morz'Inn is a 4 to 6 person apartment with free private parking, a free shuttle (line C, winter service) 50 metres away, an equipped kitchen for your pre-race meals and a panoramic view over Morzine. Allow about twenty minutes on foot to walk down to the centre.
🧖 After the race: recover and enjoy
- Warm up: consider a spa in Morzine to ease tired legs.
- Eat well: our selection of Morzine restaurants. In winter, the places open all season are the safest bet.
- A swim in Avoriaz: the Aquariaz water park announces its winter reopening on 11 December (to be confirmed on its website).
❓ FAQ — Spartan Winter Trail Morzine 2026
What is the date of the Spartan Winter Trail Morzine 2026?
Sunday 13 December 2026. Bib pick-up is on Saturday 12 December from 3 pm to 7 pm and on Sunday from 7:30 to 9:30 am. The 21 km starts at 9 am and the 10 km at 10 am.
Are there obstacles at the Spartan Winter Trail?
No. It is a traditional snow trail race. The finish is a symbolic “fire jump”, which is a celebration and not an obstacle.
How much does registration cost?
2026 starting prices are €35 for the 10 km (age 16+) and €50 for the 21 km (age 20+). Registration is online only, on the official Spartan website.
What is the time limit to finish?
7 hours for the 21 km (9 am start) and 3 hours for the 10 km (10 am start). Participants who complete a section after the closing time are disqualified.
What gear is mandatory?
Reusable cup, headlamp with spare batteries, survival blanket, charged phone, beanie, waterproof Gore-Tex-type jacket, water reservoir (1 litre for the 21 km, 0.5 litre for the 10 km), bib, ID and an up-to-date PPS. The check takes place at the start.
What is the elevation gain?
The organiser has not published it yet for 2026. In 2023, the 10 km had about 470 m of D+ and the 21 km about 1,150 m. Check the 2026 athlete guide.
Can I use poles?
Yes, but the organisation asks for baskets (rosettes) to protect the ground in this Flocon Vert-labelled resort.
Do I need insurance?
Sports licences do not count as personal insurance at this event. Make sure you are properly covered; the organiser may offer day insurance.
Is there a kids' race?
The organiser offers a Spartan Kids Race in the festival area. The exact programme is published on the event page.
- Spartan Race Morzine 2027 — the big July obstacle race
- All Morzine events — the full calendar
- Free shuttles — getting around without a car
- Morzine weather and webcams — anticipate conditions
- Spas in Morzine — recovery after the race
