We are keeping the weekend of 18 and 19 September 2027 for the race, with the Thursday, Friday and Monday around it for the hike, check-in and stay. The lake level depends on the summer and on how the dam is managed: it is in early August 2027, once the water level is known, that we will confirm the event. Three editions were cancelled because of drought in five years (2022, 2025, 2026): we would rather tell you frankly and decide on measurements, not hopes.
👉 Read the story of the cancelled edition: Alpine Paradise Race 2026 →
🗓️ Pre-registration from June 2027, no payment
You come here to breathe. A glacial lake at 2,000 metres, a hike to warm up the legs, a refuge at the far end of the water, a dinner that takes its time: the race is the pretext, the mountain is the gift. It is also a stage that asks us to respect the place: we adapt to the water level, to the dam, to nature.
Nature-only courses around the lake at 2,000 m. The 2027 courses will be confirmed with the final programme; below are those of previous editions, for information (about 9 km for the long distance, with modest elevation gain).
Lake Place Moulin is a reservoir at 2,000 m in the municipality of Bionaz, Aosta Valley (Italy), at the foot of the Dent d’Hérens.
📍 Getting there
Lake Place Moulin
Bionaz, Aosta Valley, Italy
From France/Switzerland: head to Aosta (Mont Blanc or Great St Bernard tunnel), then follow “Valpelline” / “Bionaz”.
From Piedmont/Milan: Aosta via the A5, then “Valpelline” / “Bionaz”.
🚗 At the end of September, driving up to the dam is no problem. 🚌 A free shuttle, “Parcours Place Moulin”, also links Bionaz to the dam at weekends until mid-September; its 2027 schedule is still to be confirmed.
🅿️ Dam car park, managed by the municipality of Bionaz: cars €1/hour or €5/day; motorhomes (standard bays) €1.50/hour or €7/day; dedicated bays from €5/hour, €10/day. Rates given by the Aosta tourist office, to be confirmed for 2027. No access restriction known at this time.
By train + bus: Aosta station, then the local Valpelline/Bionaz bus line.
Nearest airports: Turin, Milan Malpensa, Geneva, Lyon.
🗺️ Course
A deep-blue alpine lake, overlooked by the surrounding peaks and the Tsa de Tsan glacier.
Long Distance · Short Distance · Technical Race · Dragon Race.
🦺 Equipment & safety
CE 50N lifejacket or buoyancy aid compulsory.
Leash compulsory.
Altitude 2,000 m: bring warm clothes, the weather changes fast in the mountains.
🍔 Food
Convivial dinner at the refuge after the race — a typical Aosta Valley atmosphere, sharing and authenticity.
🏕️ Accommodation
Refuge Prarayer (2,005 m) — at the far end of the lake, about 6 km / 45 min-1 h on foot along the shore from the dam.
Dormitories and small rooms, sauna, bar-restaurant with typical Aosta Valley cuisine. It is also where the post-race dinner takes place.
Other options: Valpelline, Bionaz or Aosta.