The Saas Fee Glacier Bike Downhill(http://saasfee.ch/glacierbike) takes place next week on 24th March for the ninth time with a first prize of 7000 Swiss Francs (about £5000) up for grabs.
Mountain biking races in ski resorts are getting increasingly popular in the summertime, but a winter race, over a glacier as well as snow, down 1700 vertical metres from 3500m to 1800m is more unusual.
At last year's race 108 bikers started with a mass start at 3'500m and had to ride over glacier and snow to the glacier village at 1'800m. The winner last year, Bernhard Rösch, compled the feat in 7.59 minutes.
The race begins with a Le Mans start as participants run to their bikes but soon the best racers get clear air between themselves and the pack.
The first part of the race takes place on the Fee Glacier with competitors descending the steep Panorama Slope.
"The hill was very similar to a kicker and I flew approximately 10 metres…", said the second placed racer last year, Stephen Noser.
This is followed by as narrow, winding sector on the Valley Run Morenia, before reaching the finish area.