La Grande Odyssée sled race

January might be an uneventful month for some, but for others it brings the excitement of the annual dog sled race.

Of course, it has a somewhat nobler title in French: Le Grande Odyssée - or, in English, the Grand Odyssey. And that’s exactly what it is. Over the course of thirteen days, over fifty competitors, with the help of more than 500 dogs, must race nearly 250km at altitudes of up to 2,500 metres.

The competitors - or mushers, as they are known, a term which comes from the French marcher ('to walk') - come from all over Europe, although countries with mountainous regions are typically better represented in this vertiginous race across the Alps. Among the nationalities competing this year are France, Switzerland, Norway, Poland, Spain, Italy and Belgium. France has won the most 1st place prizes, largely thanks to Rémy Coste, who has won the last six in a row, although he will not be competing this year. You can see the lineup of mushers here.

• How big is France?
• Best winter vacation spots in France

This year is the race’s 20th anniversary, and it promises to be one of the most thrilling yet. Each stop of the journey will be accompanied by an array of activities, including virtual reality games, dog petting, talks and much more. You can find a full itinerary of the different stations and what‘s planned for each stage of the race here.

The event is typically watched by millions online, and many people travel to France to spectate. Unlike some racing sports, the competitors don’t come and go in the blink of an eye - dog sleds travel at an average of around 8mph. And if you haven’t seen them in action before, they are quite a sight to behold.

The villages and resorts along the route are all stunning locations in their own right, from the commune of Villard-de-Lans to the sleepy valley town of Lanslevillard. Just beware - they can be rather cold, especially in January!