Contribution and presentation of the Swiss Army
The army is responsible for the organization and implementation of the Patrouille des Glaciers. It is supported by the “Fondation Patrouille des Glaciers” in the domains of “marketing and sponsorship”. This cooperation is based on an agreement between the Confederation and the Canton of Valais. It defines the competences of the tasks of the army and the “Fondation Patrouille des Glaciers” and thus guarantees optimal conditions for a safe and challenging event at least until the year 2028.
The Swiss Army organizes this military competition with the possibility for civilian participants to start in their own categories in cooperation with the “Fondation Patrouille des Glaciers”. Today’s field of participants consists of national and international members of the army, competitors and popular sportsmen.
For the Armed Forces, the Patrouille des Glaciers serves to maintain and train mountain knowledge to a different troop of infantry at a time, cooperation with the transport squadrons of the Air Force, transmission, logistics and finally the planning and execution of this complex mission by the staff “Patrouille des Glaciers”. “A perfect win-win situation between military training and a major sporting event in the heart of the Valais Alps,” explains the commander of the Patrouille des Glaciers, Brigadier Christian Sieber.
After all, from the participants’ point of view, the Patrouille des Glaciers is not just a race, but a mix of a human adventure, a journey into history where mountains, sport, friendship and emotions. These all in the spirit of the “Cordée” together to success!
The Patrouille des Glaciers Command is subordinate to Territorial Division 1 and begins its preparatory work about 18 months before the event. The aim is to achieve a high standard of safety, environmental responsibility and organizational know-how. The staff members meet up to six times during a one-week staff course. The Operations Company of the command PdG supports the Staff PdG in the planning, preparation and execution of the race.
The Patrouille des Glaciers takes place every 2 years and is one of the largest conducted military missions of the Swiss Armed Forces.
From a military point of view, the PdG remains an exceptional challenge for civil-military cooperation under the fluctuating weather conditions and its deployment in the high mountains.
As far as the forces and resources deployed are concerned, an average of more than 1,600 members of the armed forces and 700 members of the Civil Defense of the Canton of Wallis, around 40 mountain guides, avalanche specialists and dog guides, as well as about 160 medical personnel and around 30 doctors and nurses are active in the operational area.
The edition 2024 of the Patrouille des Glaciers is supported by the Infantry Battalion 19.
Fondation Patrouille des Glaciers
The Patrouille des Glaciers Foundation was created in 2021 to ensure the sustainability and promotion of the Patrouille des Glaciers and the next generation of skiers.
It consists of between five and nine members. Members are appointed by the Valais State Council.
The PdG Foundation expresses its aim as follows: “We wish the Patrouille des Glaciers to be exemplary and magnificent, so that it remains a benchmark, celebrating previous editions and enhancing future ones. Perpetuating the Patrouille des Glaciers is the objective for this legendary, unique event”.
Thanks to our close collaboration with the Swiss Army, we aim for excellence in every edition.
The Army undertakes the organisation of the entire race, while the PdG Foundation coordinates promotion and marketing.
In 2024, we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the rebirth of the PdG and host the World Long-Distance Ski Mountaineering Championships.
Make the PdG the ultimate Alpine benchmark race
La Grande Course
La Patrouille des Jeunes
