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 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 1923m (6309ft), 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: 598m (1964ft) Distance: 8.5km (5.3 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)
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 sits at 2020m (6627ft) and 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)
Our snowshoe walk today takes us to the neighbouring valley of Les Contamines above the alpine town of St Gervais. Les Contamines features as an overnight stop on the famous multiday hike the 'Tour of Mont Blanc'. It's from here that we begin our snowshoe route our goal being the Auberge du Truc plateau and summit of the same name. We put on our snowshoes at the hamlet of La Frasse 1263m (4143ft) and commence a steady climb looping through the pine forests. Our trail is a 'variante' route of the Tour of Mont Blanc trek and also features on the GR5 'grand randonnee'. We make stops along the way to take in the views of the Mont Joly and Aravis mountains then at 1723m (5652ft) we reach the treeline to access the Truc plateau. The Auberge is closed in winter but it's location and surrounding plateau offer fine lunchtime views and for exploring untouched snow. If conditions allow, we can explore a little higher and climb the small summit behind the auberge the mighty Mont Truc just another 88m higher before returning to the valley.
Ascent: 550m (1804ft) Descent: 550m (1804ft) Distance: 6.5km (4 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, sat at 2085m (6840ft) 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: 6.7 km (4.2 miles)
Our final snowshoe walk is to the perfectly located Refuge du Tornieux 1450m (4757ft) nestled on the side of the Arve valley. Built in 1892 this authentic alpine chalet was renovated over 30 years ago to create a charming mountain refuge. A short drive from Chamonix brings us to the town of Sallanches. We regain some height here to begin our snowshoe day. The route climbs gradually through woodland on good trails taking in one of the best panoramic views of Mont Blanc and surrounding Arve valley. The refuge is open in summer and in winter and boasts superb traditional mountain cuisine with a wonderful terrace facing Mont Blanc making it the perfect location to celebrate this week of snowshoeing.
Ascent: 550m (1804ft) Descent: 550m (1804ft) Distance: 6km (3.7 miles)
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.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
Our accommodation for these weeks is at the family run Hotel Aiguilles du Midi in the hamlet of Les Bossons in Chamonix. If our usual hotel is not available we will provide other accommodation of a similar standard. The Refuge Tornieux listed here is the destination of one of our snowshoe day hikes where we plan to have a traditional Savoyarde lunch.
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!
The wonderful old Refuge de Tornieux is a glorious place to stop for lunch or 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 offers wonderful local Savoyarde food and fabulous views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks.
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.
Reaching Chamonix from Geneva airport is straightforward with many transfer companies operating this route throughout the day. Either consider a scheduled bus which will drop you at Chamonix Sud Bus Station, such as easybus.com, or use a private transfer company such as Haute Transfer, or Mountain Drop-Offs which will drop you at your accommodation. If booking with Mountain Drop-Offs you receive a small discount on the route by using our company code of TAT01. This code only applies to transfers in ’normal’ working hours. It does not apply to early morning, or late evening transfers.
Driving
If you are considering driving you may like to confirm with us that we are using the Hotel Aiguille du Midi which has a large car park allowing you to park on site.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:
Mountain Rescue Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, mountain rescue, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
COVID-19 Insurance
As well as medical cover, we recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance so that if you fall ill and test positive for COVID-19 prior to (or during) your trip, you will be financially covered for cancelling your trip. You should also consider booking a policy that covers you if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because you have to self-isolate. If you choose to cancel, cancellation charges will be payable, but if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Please read the clauses below detailing trip cancellation and curtailment.
Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 is now available from a number of suppliers, Campbell Irvine, Trailfinders and Staysure. Please check their websites for the latest information on what is and isn't covered. It is likely that more companies will offer COVID related cover in the future.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
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
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 a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and 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.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £380.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your snowshoe guide 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. This is particularly relevant in a winter environment where the snowpack can change on a daily basis.
Your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
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.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons. The most important being to reduce food waste. We have found our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks. Buying supplies and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with the local people and to practise your language skills.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout your day of activity. If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide will advise you of this.
You might be able to order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market and whether you need to purchase items in the evening or if the shop/market is open early enough the next morning not to delay your start. In all cases we would always ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks in the evening before you depart, and not on the morning of your last day when there may be a queue.
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 often 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. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. 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 ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
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 Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. 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.
When booking a trip during the pandemic we ask that you keep an open mind and be willing to adapt and be flexible.
Any holiday taken during the Covid-19 pandemic may be subject to change and with little or no notice of that change. As the past months have proven no-one can predict the situation from one week to the next, however, we will do our very best to gauge the best response to any new developments. New restrictions or guidelines might affect where we eat out, which accommodation we can stay in, and potentially transport arrangements if the numbers in vehicles are restricted.
Itineraries may not be exactly as advertised due to new regulations or restrictions. We are sure there will be various scenarios which we have not even thought about that might lead to a change or adaptation in the itinerary.
Please read our Covid-19 Cancellation Policy and ensure you have appropriate insurance as per our recommendations. We also ask that you make yourself aware of the entry requirements of any country you are visiting on your trip. We have compiled a Travel Links Advice list to help you source the correct information.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 27 Jan - Sat 03 Feb Code: MBS1 |
Price: £1655 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 02 Mar - Sat 09 Mar Code: MBS2 |
Price: £1655 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1655 |
| Holiday Type | Snowshoeing |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2236m (7334ft) |
| Countries Visited | France, Switzerland |
| Meet In | Chamonix Valley, France |
