Mountain Adventure Holidays
The Aravis Mountains, at the heart of the Haute Savoie and home to the Biathlon World Cup, make a perfect base for our 'classic' style cross-country week. Situated between Mont Blanc, Lake Annecy, and Switzerland the peaks and summits of the Aravis offer a true alpine experience.
All of our trips feature first class instruction, but for this particular week we place more emphasis on developing your cross country ski technique.
Deep gorges, mountain plateaus, glacial lakes and excellent snowfall make the Chaîne des Aravis is a cross-country skier's paradise. Covering approximately 20km (12.5 miles) per day experience first class instruction including optional video analysis and a taster in biathlon as part of this 'classic' track skiing week.
Proud of it's history the Haute Savoie region enjoys a distinctive lifestyle rooted in it's mountain tradition. From the small town of Le Grand Bornand we explore new trails every day winding through pine forests, farmland and over high points for views of the Mont Blanc region. After our ski day soak up village life in the bars or cafes, sample the local wine and Reblochon cheese or simply ease the muscles at the hotel sauna.
The base for this trip is in the small town of Grand Bornand 1000m (3280ft) and is an ideal base from which to access various ski locations throughout the week. La Grand Bornand is a typical Savoyard market town which has the stunning backdrop of the Pointe Percée 2750m (9022ft), the regions highest peak. The town is in the heart of the Aravis mountains with plenty of bars and eateries, an ATM, post office, sport shops, bakery and supermarkets.
Your guide will meet you at your 3* hotel accommodation at approximately 1800 hrs, and brief you on the days ahead.
A short bus ride takes us to the Les Confins nordic arena where we have over 30km (18.7 miles) of perfectly groomed cross-country ski tracks starting at 1360m (4461ft). After hiring skis and organsing ski passes we join the trails. Tour the glacial lake, visit ancient farmsteads and climb through thick pine forests. Panoramic views, a selection of lovely mountain restaurants and specialist nordic ski shops makes Les Confins the perfect first day venue. This is a great place for finding your 'ski legs' in a beautiful and inspiring setting.
Our destination today is the beautiful Plateau de Beauregard which has over 50km (31 miles) of cross-country ski tracks. First we take the local ski bus up to the Croix Fry mountain pass at 1467m (4812ft) and the Chalet Nordique. We join a network of ski trails perfectly laid out for working on different ski techniques. Keeping our height the tracks opens up onto the 'Plateau de Beauregard' at 1700m (5576ft) where we are rewarded by fine views of panoramic jagged glaciated peaks, hopefully in blue skies and sunshine! Skiing above the tree line makes for the ideal area for coaching and optional video feedback. The Plateau features a number of ancient farms built in the traditional Savoyard style. Lunch will be at one of the mountain restaurants where relaxing in the sun could be on the menu.
Todays trails starts close to the hotel in Le Grand Bornand. The ski trails leave the town at 1000m (3280ft) and gently wind their way along the Bouchet Valley. We make our way at fist through woodland, then along the Borne River to reach snow covered farmland or summer 'alpages' where the local Reblochon cheese is made. The terrain gently climbs offering the perfect nordic skiing terrain. A convenient coffee stops awaits en route to the craggy and forested head of the valley at Lormay 1130m (3707ft), home to the IBU World Cup Biathlon event. It's here we have the opportunity to experience a session in biathlon ourselves. Step-by-step your teacher will introduce the equipment, teach you the skills to 'shoot' then put it together with some skiing. We complete our day with an enjoyable return ski back down to Le Grand Bornand.
Our next few days are all about practising any newly learned skills and journeying on our skis. A private taxi today takes us to the historic Plateau des Glières. The Glières is a limestone plateau in the neighbouring Bornes Massif at 1400m (4592ft) and offers some 35km (21.8 miles) of first class skiing. On the plateau stands a 'symbol of honour' as this was the site where 150 French resistance fighters fought for freedom during the Second World War. The trails link two wide open plateaus which pass well situated mountain cafes. Our day tour offers something for every skier combining rolling terrain and stunning views of the Aravis and more technical hilly woodland terrain.
Today we head back to the nordic arena of Les Confins and link a number of familiar ski trails from the high plateaus then we cross the thick pine forests for a fun run down to reach the neighbouring Bouchet Valley. A great trail for practising descending, turning and stopping techniques. After lunch at the Auberge Nordique we pick up the trails along the Borne River and valley to complete our circuit arriving at the church and market square of Le Grand Bornand. The perfect location for some end of trip après-ski time or head back to the Hotel.
This is your final day of cross-country skiing and your chance to focus on your new found skills with some final tips from your instructor, or you can 'chill' and just enjoying the skiing and the scenery. Your destination today will be decided by your ski instructor taking into account the group energy levels and goals for today.
Today is your departure day. The package ends after breakfast.
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, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one 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. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
For 2025 we will be based in Le Grand Bornand which is within easy reach of both Geneva airport and the different ski locations on our itinerary. The town is in the heart of the Aravis mountains with plenty of bars and restaurants, an ATM, post office, sport shops, bakery and supermarkets.
The Hotel Croix Maurice in Grand Bornand has been recently renovated and provides a charming traditional feel to the chalet style building. The hotel is set in the heart of the small town and ideally suited to explore the area on skis. After a day on skis can relax by the open fire or make use of the hotels Spa hammam sauna. The hotel makes use of local sourced ingredients so that you can enjoy traditional meals from the menu.
Le Grand Bornand is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane. Annecy is 35kms (20 miles) away and Bonneville is 30km (20 miles) by road. The closest airport is Geneva, which is just 50km (35 miles) by road.
If travelling by train you can use RailEurope to plan your arrival from any European city to the town of Annecy, where you then need to take a bus to Aravis.
Buses from Annecy to the Aravis can be booked with Altus. Buses from Geneva Airport to La Clusaz bus station can be booked with Aravis Shuttle who offer several shuttles per day and boast the best price throughout the winter season. Prices are approximately 40 Euros one way and takes 1h45 and need to be booked in advance. Please visit La Clusaz Tourism Information website for more details on bus transfers. Please visit Le Grand Bornand Tourist Information website for further transfer links.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. 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.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. 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.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. 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.
The cross country ski style for this week is 'classic' technique. We can order equipment, to include skis, boots and poles in advance. Rental, for winter 2024, is usually about 18 Euros per day from the Chalet Nordic in Les Confins. Payment can be make either in cash Euros or by credit card.
Classic style rental skis will either be fishscale or skintec bases (not skates or waxable skis). The bindings could be compatible either with Salomon SNS or NNN boots. Please contact us if you plan on bringing your own boots and would like to confirm that they are suitable for this trip.
Please make note of any equipment hire on your booking form. We will need to know your height, weight, normal shoe size (you must give us your everyday shoe size and not your personal adjustment for wearing boots) and the measurement of your height up to your armpits for ski pole hire.
The cost for your ski pass for 2024 is expected to be 50 Euros for the 5 days and should be paid for in cash. You will need to buy 4 day passes for the Grand Bornand area plus a 1 day pass for the Plateau des Glieres.
Your safety while skiing is our top priority. All skiers are requested to adhere to the Code of Conduct published by the International Ski Federation, or FIS. The aim is to make you, the skier, aware of how to avoid risks, take responsibility and act thoughtfully while on the cross-country ski tracks.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you will encounter and accommodation you will be staying in.
Equipment
We use 'classic' style cross country track skis for this trip either ‘fishscales’ or ‘skintec’. You can choose to bring your own 'classic' track skis (non-metal edged), however, do check with us first to ensure they are suitable.
Skis, boots, and poles - can be hired at the start of the trip. The cost of hire is indicated in 'Trip Information'. If you are intending to hire you must inform us as soon as possible as equipment must be booked in advance. The type of ski supplied by the hire shop is provided in the 'Ski Rental' section of the Trip Information page. If in doubt about the suitability of your own skis please contact us.
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
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 £300.
We go to great lengths to work with first class ski instructors who are passionate about their work. We believe we have an exceptional instructor for this week.
You will be taught by Martin Romarie, a French qualified Nordic Ski Instructor.
With ski instructors as parents, Martin began his impressive ski career at the age of two. He is qualified as an International Mountain Leader and Cross Country Ski Instructor and is passionate about nature, landscapes and cooking. He is a formidable cross country skier with experience in races such as the Trans Jurassienne, Foulée Blanche, Etoile de Saisies, GTJ 200 and Patrouille des Glaciers. He particularly enjoys long distance cross country ski races, having finished three times on the podium of the longest cross country ski race in the world (Grande Traversée du Jura 200km). He now lives in the Jura mountains which are on the frontier between France and Switzerland. He has a great sense of humour and speaks excellent English. Our guests love being out with Martin.
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 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.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
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 the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning 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 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 all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
In some countries such as Switzerland and Italy it’s not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will pay for the tap water at the accommodation during the evening meal when on half board, but not at lunch stops.
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.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
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.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
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.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means 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. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
As the winter season approaches, it's time to embrace the beauty of snowy landscapes and outdoor adventures. To help you make the most of your holiday, we've put together some essential tips and suggestions on how to prepare for your winter getaway. Click here to find some suggestions on how to prepare for both cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 24 Jan - Sat 31 Jan Code: HSS1 |
Price: £2095 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2095 |
| Holiday Type | Cross Country Ski Instruction |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 1800m (5904ft) |
| Countries Visited | France |
| Meet In | Le Grand Bornand, France |
