Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is simply walking in the snow. It's not technical or complicated and opens up a wonderful snow covered playground. Without snowshoes we would sink into the snow which makes any progress hard work. With snowshoes we stay on or near the surface which makes walking a pleasure.

Although snowshoeing as a means of travelling in winter is many thousands of years old, it is only in the last few years that snowshoes have undergone a revival. A breathtaking landscape, previously only accessible to skiers, can now be enjoyed by everyone. You don't need any experience just some warm clothes and a sense of adventure.

In winter we are based on the Swiss French border, near Chamonix and run trips in and around the area. Your destination depends on how many days you have and how much you'd like to do. Whether you would like to spend just half days in the mountains and relax the rest of the day or whether you want to make a three or four day trip from one village to another.

If you would like us to organise a private trip with an itinerary and length of stay which suits you best, then please get in touch. Just a few suggestions are given below, but the options are numerous.

Mont Blanc Base

The world famous Chamonix Valley in the French Alps is a good base for exploring the valleys and peaks in the Mont Blanc Massif. With Switzerland and Italy just a 30 minute drive away it allows us to experience three different cultures in just as many days. Then of course there's also the wonderful mix of different foods and wines!

• Mont de l'Arpille in Switzerland. This is a great day out beginning with forests, then passing through a mountain meadow and on to the peak itself. Magnificent views to be had of many of the major alpine peaks.
• The Petit Croisse Baulet in France is a snowshoe classic. The summit is fine viewpoint which is reached by a gentle ridge allowing us to enjoy views of both sides of the valley. We begin from the tiny hamlet of Le Plan after a scenic drive from the Chamonix valley.
• Mont Truc in the Valley of Les Contamines offers another great panorama featuring the impressive glaciers of Domes de Miage. We make our way up an ancient track in the forests, past isolated chalets, before reaching the clearing which leads to the summit. It's not unusual to sight chamois and ibex.
• Dent de Valerette offers views to Lake Geneva in Switzerland . This is a lovely peak with a breathtaking panorama of jagged ridges and sweeping valleys. The intricate wrought-iron summit cross makes a fine destination in an exciting location with massive cliffs falling away into the valley below. Be prepared to be impressed.
• Loriaz and the peak of Charmoz on the Swiss French frontier departs from Vallorcine, which means valley of the bears. We climb above the tree line to the meadow where the cattle graze in summer, before heading for the summit with views to the Mont Blanc massif. In the past the locals paid their taxes in bear meat, so I'm afraid there are no longer any bears to be seen on this walk!

Mountain Nights

The chance to spend a night in a mountain inn, isolated from the rest of the world by the snow, is an opportunity not to be missed. Accommodation ranges from ancient monasteries to rustic wooden chalets, and state of the art igloos. It's a wonderful experience to come in from the cold to a warm welcome in the high mountains. You might want to consider including this option for one of the nights of your holiday?

• The Grand St Bernard Hospice is on a high pass linking Italy and Switzerland and is home to the world famous St Bernard mountain dog. The monks at the hospice have been offering comfort to weary travellers since the 11th century. In winter it can only be reached by snowshoes or skis which makes it a wonderful destination for a night in the mountains.
• The Bonatti Refuge in Italy enjoys stunning views of the Mont Blanc Massif from the Italian side giving another perspective to this famous alpine range. This is a new mountain hut which pays homage to the world renowned Italian mountaineer and photographer Walter Bonatti. It makes a fantastic overnight trip, with Italian coffee and pasta to match!
• The Whitepod Camp in Switzerland offers a unique luxury mountain experience. Situated high on a hillside with a majestic Alpine panorama before you this is therapy for the soul. Accommodation is in igloo style lodges.

Snowshoe Safari

If you want to get a real sense of making a journey across the alpine landscape in winter then join us for a three or four day walk between the Swiss villages of Château-d'Oex and Leysin over the Col des Mosses. We make our way from village to village on snowshoes, while your luggage is transported to the next location.

• Leysin We begin in the Swiss village of Leysin which sits on a terrace above Aigle in the lower Rhône Valley. It offers views to Mont Blanc, Dents du Midi, and Diablerets. There is the option of doing a local day trip to begin with to explore the mountain above the village and get used to your snowshoes.
• Col des Mosses We then head off across the mountainside towards the Col des Mosses. This is a wonderful high pass which is home to a small resort. It gives a great sense of height and space combined with clear alpine air. An evening snowshoe walk in the moonlight to a mountain inn for dinner can also be arranged while we are staying in Col des Mosses. You might also want to consider spending an extra day in the village and try cross country skiing or enjoy a spin on the outdoor ice skating rink.
• Château-d'Oex From Col des Mosses we snowshoe down the valley before aiming for our high point and the summit of Monts Chevreuil. This is a straightforward ascent, enjoyed by all ages, with the reward of a hot chocolate at the mountain refuge just below the summit. We then make our way to our accommodation in the beautiful Swiss village of Château-d'Oex. The village claims to be the world capital of hot air ballooning and perhaps you might want to spend a final day of your trip flying high above the snowy mountains.
• This is an excellent trip for those with little or no snowshoe experience, but can equally be enjoyed by those who have a good level of fitness. We just take you farther and faster! We can create an itinerary which will also let you enjoy cross country skiing, ice skating, hot air ballooning and even retail therapy in the chic Swiss resort of Gstaad.

Price

For private bookings, for individuals, families, or groups, our daily snowshoe guiding rate as qualified International Mountain Leaders is 180€ or £140 per day per booking.

We can quote you an inclusive price for bespoke snowshoe holidays which includes your guide's fee and expenses, your own accommodation at a standard decided by you, whether budget or luxury, snowshoe hire and luggage transfer if required. You decide what you want and we will provide the details and price. Flights will not be included in any quote.

Further Information

If you would like to know more about snowshoeing you can:

Read the article written by Lindsay published in Scottish Mountaineer Magazine.

Watch the video of Tracks and Trails featuring in a BBC television programme called 'The Adventure Show' where the film crew joined us for a winter walk on Mont de l'Arpille in Switzerland.

Read the newsletter written by journalist Laura Burgess for the Ecoescape green travel guide website, following her first snowshoeing experience with us.