The Patrouille des Glaciers has military origins. During the Second World War, the Swiss army organised a race to test the abilities of its soldiers. The first military patrol edition was held in April 1943 thanks to the work of two captains of Mountain Brigade 10 (Rodolphe Tissières and Roger Bonvin). That year, 18 patrols, each consisting of three members, travelled 63 kilometres to reach Verbier. In 1944, 44 teams participated, but for a few years, no races were organized because of war fatigue from the years of military mobilization during World War II. On April 10, 1949, the race was organised once again, but the deaths of three participants from Orsières (Mauritius Crettex, Robert Droz and Louis Thétaz) who died in a crevasse caused a controversy. As a result of that accident the organisation of the race was prohibited by the Federal Military Department until 1984.

The competition was revived by Rene Martin and Camille Bournissen. It remains under the control of the army which ensures its smooth running. The race is now held every two years and is also open to civilians. In 1986, bad weather forced organizers to interrupt the race. In 2002, the same mishap occurred.^[1][2]

In 2004, a foreign team won the race for the first time. The same year, the race was competed by 2934 participants (approximately 60% of civil patrols and 40% military), with 984 for the normal race, and 636 and 1314 for the short races.^[3]

In 2006, organisers were forced to refuse a thousand entries. That year a second race was organized from Zermatt for the first time. The media have recently raised the problem of doping: patrols are not subject to any controls which causes rumours about the performance of the participants. The commander of the race, Brigadier Marius Robyr (who retired in 2008), refused to impose controls and instead called for participants to act honestly, and in the spirit of the race in which there is no financial gain for the winners.

On April 18, 2007, memorials donated by the Swiss army were unveiled in Zermatt, Arolla and in Verbier in honour of the communities connected with, benefactors of, and friends of, the PDG.^[4] A doping case came to light at the end of the 2008 edition in which ten competitors were checked.

Record times are measured on the longer course only (i.e. from Zermatt to Verbier)

Men edit

The record time is 5 h 35'27 and is held by an Italian team winning the 2018 race. Team members are:

• Michele Boscacci
• Robert Antonioli
• Matteo Eydallin

Women edit

The record time is 7 h 15'35 and is held by a French/Swiss team from the 2018 race. Team members are:

• Axelle Mollaret
• Laetitia Roux
• Jennifer Fiechter

Several supply and control stations are located between Zermatt and Verbier:

The total drop is 4386 meters (ascent) and 4519 meters (descent).

Participants are divided into two groups: civilians and military. The categories are (Regulation 2006):

• Female civilian patrols
• Male or mixed civilian patrols
  • Senior I (total age of three members less than 102 years)
  • Senior II (total age of three members between 103 and 132 years)
  • Senior III (patrols remaining)
• Female military patrols
• International military patrols (only for normal race)
• Swiss military patrols
  • Military I (total age of three members less than 102 years)
  • Military II (total age of three members between 103 and 132 years)
  • Military III (patrols remaining)
• Female international civilian patrols (only short race)
• Male international civilian patrols (only short race)

Each patrol must be equipped with the following equipment (Regulation 2006):

• Ice axe
• compass, altimeter
• three climbing harnesses
• pairs of gloves, hats, bags
• a Rope of at least 30 meters, snow shovel
• skis
• three headlamps, first aid kit, glasses
• Avalanche transceiver

• Haute Route

• Official website
• Swiss Air Force at Patrouille des Glaciers 2012
• Swiss Army at Patrouille des Glaciers 2010^{[permanent dead link]}
• Swissinfo.org
• Video