In the days before the race, Zermatt is already firmly in the hands of ski mountaineering racers in training. The race, held every two years by the Swiss Armed Forces, is considered the toughest in the world and takes the teams over 112 competitive kilometres.
Military and civil teams take part in the PDG by entering a team of three athletes, which can include men and women.
Following the cancellation of the Patrouille des Glaciers last year as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, it will now take place again in April 2022 after a three-year break.