Ubaye Snow Trail Salomon — Trail running on snow in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye

An iconic winter trail between the Alps and Provence

Created in 2010 by the Athletic Club Barcelonnette Ubaye (ACBU), chaired by Aimé Arnaud, the Ubaye Snow Trail Salomon quickly established itself as one of the most renowned snow trail races in France. The event takes place every year in February in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye, a typical village in the high Ubaye valley nestled at 1,450 meters above sea level, in a wild and preserved natural setting dominated by snow-capped peaks over 3,000 meters.

Two 100% snow courses

The Snow Trail offers two races entirely traced on snow, starting and finishing at the welcome chalet of the Nordic area of Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye:

• Elite Course "Brec de Chambeyron": 22 km with 1,010 m of positive elevation gain, passing through the hamlet of Fouillouse and the Plate Lombarde at 2,250 m altitude, at the foot of the majestic Brec de Chambeyron (3,389 m). This course counts for the Challenge des Trails de Provence.
• Discovery Course "Tête de la Fréma": 9 km with 250 m of positive elevation gain, ideal for discovering snow trail running in a magnificent setting.

The routes follow varied sections: groomed cross-country ski tracks, single-track snowshoe trails, snowy passages through the hamlet of Fouillouse, and sections on virgin terrain. The technicality of the course and the wild beauty of the landscapes are the hallmarks of this unique event.

A friendly and committed organization

Driven by the volunteers of the ACBU and supported by Salomon as title sponsor, the Snow Trail is distinguished by its friendly spirit and generosity towards participants. The free registration for the first 250 women to register — echoing Valentine's Day, as the trail traditionally takes place in mid-February — as well as a free day ski pass for all participants at the Sainte-Anne or Le Sauze resorts, reflect this welcoming philosophy. The number of bibs is limited to 800 to ensure the quality of the experience.

An exceptional natural setting

The high Ubaye valley offers a breathtaking backdrop for this winter event. Runners navigate in a high mountain environment, between snowy larch forests, immaculate alpine meadows, and panoramas of the peaks of the Southern Alps. The passage through the isolated hamlet of Fouillouse, one of the highest inhabited villages in the French Alps, and the climb to the Plate Lombarde are the highlights of a course that combines athletic effort and wonder.

Twelve editions before the end of an era

After twelve editions marked by growing attendance and constant enthusiasm, the Ubaye Snow Trail Salomon had its last edition in 2023. Increasing organizational constraints and financial imbalances led the club to end this event, which had become emblematic of French winter trail running. The ACBU chose to refocus on its core activities, leaving behind the memory of a one-of-a-kind race that contributed to popularizing snow trail running in France.