Mountain Adventure Holidays
The world famous Chamonix valley in the French Alps is a good base from which to explore the valleys and peaks in the Mont Blanc massif. Chamonix is well know as a centre for winter sports and this bustling alpine valley offers stunning mountain scenery, as well as excellent snowshoeing routes. Snowshoeing is a wonderful way for 'walkers' to explore the mountains in winter - no previous experience required!
This trip is aimed at regular summer hill walkers, and people used to spending a full day in the mountains. You do not need particular skills to snowshoe, but you do need a good level of fitness and be prepared to venture off-piste!
This evening your guide will meet you at your accommodation to brief you on the week ahead and answer any questions. Your guide will be a fully qualified International Mountain Leader.
We aim to spend the day enjoying a walk with potentially stunning views of the Mont Blanc massif. We park at the quaint hamlet of Le Bettey and then begin our climb through the snow covered larch trees. The trail winds very steadily uphill, passing ancient wooden chalets and offering up the aroma of wood smoke. We are in no rush, and we will take time to check out the views, and take photos. Eventually we arrive above the treeline and cross the summer pasturelands to the old Chalets de Chailloux, a fabulous vantage point that gives superb views of the Chamonix valley and glaciers. If we have time we plan to spend a little time in Chamonix itself before heading back to our accommodation. During the course of the day your guide will give any advice necessary with regard to technique on snowshoes, there is not much to say to be honest, just walk and enjoy yourself! We can assure you that after about 30 minutes you will be used to the sensation of having a snowshoe on your boots.
Ascent: 609m (1997ft) Descent: 1964ft) Distance: 8.5km (5.3 miles)
Today we head to Switzerland, for an ascent to one of the best viewpoints of the area. One of the joys of being based in Chamonix Valley is the ability to visit another country for the day. The valley sits right on the frontiers with Switzerland and Italy, making it ideally positioned for venturing 'abroad' for the day. This morning we have Mont de l'Arpille in our sights and a fine little mountain it is, offering 360 degree views of the Alps, and the Rhone Valley. We walk up initially through pine woods, watching out for squirrels and roe deer, and then into the more open ground as we arrive at the alpage. An alpage is the name given to the mountain summer grazings grounds. . We then head for the summit which offers incredible panoramas of Mont Blanc, the Dents du Midi, and the mountains on either side of the Rhône Valley.
Ascent: 608m (1994ft) Descent: 2414ft) Distance: (4.2 miles)
Chalet Loriaz, our goal for today, lies high on the mountain above the hamlet of Vallorcine. The Vallorcine valley, which means ‘valley of the bears', used to be cut off during the winter months due to being located between two mountain passes. Unfortunately, because the locals used to pay their taxes in bear meat there are none left today! The Valley is just a short distance over the Col des Montets, but it feels very different to the main Chamonix Valley. Hearsay has it that the locals preferred to be know as 'Vallorcians', and are an independent type of people, perhaps due to being isolated for up to four months of the year. We leave the village to climb steadily through the larch forest until we reach the open mountainside of the alpage at Loriaz. The Refuge de Loriaz is normally open in the winter and is a welcome break for hot chocolate and cake! From the terrace of the Refuge the views to the Mont Blanc Massif are truly stunning, and it does feel as though we are really 'high' in the mountains with the 'blue' ice of the waterfalls on the cliffs nearby glinting in the sunlight.
Ascent: 704m (2309ft) Descent: 716m (2348ft) Distance: 10km (6.6 miles)
This is a truly beautiful ridge line which offers excellent views in all directions. We being our day by heading down the valley towards the market town of Sallanches, where we take a small mountain road climbing to the parking at Le Perret. From here we pick up the forest trail zigzaging up the hillside to the ancient farms below the Tete Noire at 1691m (5546ft), a fine summit in itself. We then leave the trees to discover what have to be some of the finest views of the Mont Blanc range. On one side of the ridge the valley which leads to Chamonix, with Mont Blanc in the distance, on the other side the Aravis mountains, and ahead the shapely mountain of the Croise Baulet at 2236m (7334ft). And if that is not enough, we then spy the jagged rocky spires and huge cliffs of the Rocher des Fiz! A wonderful route!
Ascent: 451m (1479ft) Descent: 657m (2154ft) Distance: 7.6km (4.7 miles)
Tonight we aim to stay at the Grand St Bernard Monastery in Switzerland enjoying the hospitality of Brother Frederick and his colleagues. For centuries pilgrims, travellers, traders and armies have climbed to this mountain pass which sits at 2469m (8098ft). The monastery is very isolated in winter, and can only be accessed by snowshoes or on skis making it a very special experience. This area is rich in history and we follow in the footsteps of Napoleon and Hannibal as we climb its snowy slopes. In more recent times the monastery has been made famous for its iconic St Bernard mountain rescue dogs.
We begin the day with a drive across the French border into Switzerland to visit the Grand St Bernard Museum in Martigny. The museum is very interesting and is the perfect introduction to the Monastery and its history. We then travel a little further to begin our hike. The route begins very steadily with a gentle climb, and makes its way above the tree line to reach the Grand St Bernard Monastery, founded in 1049, where we spend the night.
We always aim to complete our suggested itinerary, but if the weather conditions mean it's not possible to reach the Grand St Bernard pass then your guide will offer a suitable alternative itinerary. The aim will still be to stay in a remote mountain location, but alternative snowshoe walks might be to the Swiss Cabane Brunet or to the Refuge du Tornieux, in France, both of which offer fabulous views of the Alps and are in spectacular locations.
Ascent: 511m (1676ft) Descent: 13m (43ft) Distance: 6km (3.7 miles)
Tonight you will not have access to your luggage.
After breakfast we leave the Grand St Bernard Monastery to explore further into this vast valley and network of peaks. Our route takes us initially down from the Monastery and then climbs to the Italian frontier and the Col Ouest de Barasson at 2635m (8642ft). We are rewarded with excellent views into Italy, of the Mont Blanc range, and the shapely nearby summit of the Pain de Sucre. The Col, provided the weather is kind, is the perfect location to enjoy a picnic lunch and the stillness of the mountains before returning to our base in the Chamonix Valley. The descent along the valley often offers the chance to run through the sparkling powder snow. It's great to see 'grown adults' finding their inner child and bounding through the snow! Once we return to base its time to relax before enjoying a final dinner in the mountains.
Ascent: 365m (1197ft) Descent: 901m (2955ft) Distance: 7km (4.4 miles)
NB: If it has been necessary to stay at one of our alternative overnights at either the Cabane de Brunet, or the Refuge de Tornieux then the second day following our night in the mountains will be appropriate to the location.
Today is departure day, the end of a week of exploring some truly beautiful mountain terrain.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
On all of our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, comfortable, characterful, family run accommodation.
We take time to research, update and view the best options available to us on every trip. Detailed below are examples of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable at the time of booking we will use alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
The trip fees are based on two people sharing a room. However on many of our trips single rooms are available on request for a supplementary fee.
Our accommodation for these weeks is at The Yeti Lodge situated in the lovely alpine village of Argentière and during peak time in February we will stay at the family run Hotel Aiguilles du Midi in Les Bossons both of which are in the Chamonix Valley.
We will spend one night at the historic Grand St Bernard Monastery. The rooms are dormitory style which is traditional in this type of mountain refuge. If for reasons of weather we cannot access the Grand St Bernard Monastery we have other options for spending the night in the mountains such as the lovely Cabane de Brunet, or the Refuge de Tornieux.
The chalet is very comfortable, newly renovated and featuring a sauna, hot tub and views of Mont Blanc. The bedrooms are twins, and occasionally single travellers may be asked to share a triple room with two other single travellers. These will be either en suite or shared bathrooms depending on availability. The group also has the use of the comfortable lounge area which has satellite TV & DVD and free WIFI.
All meals (breakfast, packed lunch, afternoon tea and three-course dinner) are included. On one of the evenings you will eat out in the village of Argentière - this is included in the price. Chalets are limited in terms of the number of bedrooms and for this reason single rooms are not available.
The chalet is approximately 8km (5 miles) from the centre of Chamonix town. There is free bus and train travel up and down the valley. To take advantage of the free travel you should request a Guest Card from the chalet staff.
While in Chamonix we usually use the 3* Hotel Aiguille du Midi which is a lovely place to stay with excellent food and sauna/spa facilities. This trip will include Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and meals can be adapted to suit any dietary requirement. To ensure that we are able to book the Hotel Aiguille du Midi we advise you to book early. If this hotel is not available then we will stay somewhere similar in Chamonix and always where possible we use family run hotels, with plenty of comfort and character!
Offering shelter and respite to travellers for over one thousand years, the Grand St Bernard Monastery is a truly special place to stay. Situated on the Grand St Bernard pass at 2469m (8098ft), it's only accessible on skis or snowshoes in winter. The rooms are dormitories and usually have between 6 - 8 bunk beds in each. There are several hot showers and toilets on each floor. Brother Frederick and his colleagues serve a tasty dinner and you will have plenty to eat!
If you wish you can attend evening service in the chapel. Whatever your religious persuasion this is a special experience and all denominations are welcome. There is also a museum which recounts the history of this amazing place and it is well worth visiting.
The Cabane de Brunet is a truly lovely overnight destination. There is something quite special about spending a night at a high remote location in the snowy mountains and this is no exception. Accommodation will be in dormitories or dortoirs as they are known in France and Switzerland. This is quite normal for the mountains where the emphasis is on providing a warm, dry place to sleep and good food.
The wonderful old Refuge de Tornieux is a glorious place to spend the night. It sits high above the town of Sallanches, France in what is in summer a meadow filled with flowers. However, we will be visiting at a time when the snow provides an insulating blanket on the roof! The Refuge can cater for up to fifty people, providing a great dinner of local Savoyarde food. The accommodation is dormitory style, and there are hot showers on offer!
Chamonix, France is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
Geneva, in Switzerland is the closest international airport, only 1h15 by road which makes shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange.
A range of travel options to reach the Chamonix valley can be found on the Chamonix Tourist Office website.
If arriving via Geneva we recommend that you book a seat on a shared transfer which is a door-to-door service to reach your accommodation in Chamonix. We recommend Mountain Drop Offs, Chamexpress and Haute Pursuit for this service. Easybus also runs a service from Geneva airport to Chamonix Bus Station. This service runs throughout the day, but does not drop you at your hotel.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
It is a condition of booking that you have appropriate insurance for your chosen activity, including emergency helicopter rescue, repatriation, medical costs, as well as trip cancellation/curtailment insurance in the event of you being unable to join/complete the trip.
Please read the relevant clauses which are numbered 10, 11, 11a, 12, and 22 and are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
We also recommend your insurance covers you for baggage loss/damage. Tracks and Trails Ltd are unable to accept responsibility for the loss or damage to any client equipment or luggage.
If you are booking on behalf of other people it is important that you ensure that insurance has been arranged by all others included in your Booking Form.
You should bring all insurance documentation with you at the time of the activity. If you fail to provide proof of insurance we reserve the right to ask you to leave the trip.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Winter mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
In winter the weather can deliver everything from clear blue skies, and glorious sunshine, to heavy snowfall and strong winds. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality.
Temperatures vary depending on the month, generally December, January, and February are colder, but by March and April the temperatures are warming up and spring is on the way.
In December and January they can range from -10°Celsius (14°F) to 3°Celsius (37.4F), in February from -5°Celsius (23°F) to 7°Celsius (44.6°F), and in March from 0°Celsius (32°F) to 13°Celsius (55.4°F).
The above figures are a general indication only as the weather can vary considerably year on year for any given month.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have the appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and the accommodation you will be staying in.
Generally clothing for snowshoeing should be equivalent to that used for walking in the mountains in winter. For this trip all the necessary snowshoe equipment is provided free of charge. This includes snowshoes, walking poles, snow probe, snow shovel, and avalanche transceiver. The carrying of this safety equipment is compulsory and demonstrates ‘best practice’.
Your guide will arrive at the ‘Welcome Meeting’ with only enough snowshoe equipment for those who have booked it via their Booking Form.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Items for your overnight in the mountain hut/refuge
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
The image below gives examples of how snowshoes can be attached to your rucksack
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips there is a minimum number of guests required to book before we can 'guarantee' your trip will run. It depends on the particular trip in question, but it is normally 4. The maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your guide/instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
For our walking, family, and snowshoeing trips your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. For our running trips your guide will be an International Mountain Leader, and an experienced mountain 'trail runner'.
If you have booked on a cross country ski trip you will be with a fully qualified professional BASI Nordic Ski Instructor or equivalent. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors.
For this trip where you are centre-based, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, please note that not all the chalets and hotels we use have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom and this might involve climbing several flights of stairs. We would suggest that luggage with wheels is generally a good idea.
During this trip you will spend one night in a mountain hut when you will not have access to your luggage. You will be required to carry a few extra items for this overnight in your rucksack.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water. At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance. Also note that if/when the UK leaves the European Union that the EHIC card may no longer be valid. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| From Price | £0 |
| Holiday Type | Snowshoeing |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2640m (8659ft) |
| Countries Visited | France, Switzerland |
| Meet In | Chamonix Valley, France |
