Mountain Adventure Holidays
One of the best kept secrets in the French Alps! Situated in the beautiful Haute Savoie region of France, Samoëns is a gorgeous alpine village set amongst impressive mountain scenery such as the Cirque du Fer a Cheval. These huge cliffs form a horseshoe in front of the Dents Blanches mountain range creating a magnificent mountain environment.
The terrain is excellent for snowshoeing and promises some great days on summits. Its proximity to the Mont Blanc range means excellent views of the highest mountain in Western Europe in good weather.
Samoëns is a mountain village which is becoming popular with those 'in the know'. It has recently been described as the next 'Chamonix', in other words a great place for mountain adventure. The name “Samoëns” dates from 1167 A.D. and is based on a medieval expression meaning “the seven mountains”, a reference to the peaks around the village. This is why the local men are known as “septimontains” and the women “septimontaines”.
You will meet your guide this evening at the Neige et Roc 4* Restaurant & Hotel in Samoens, at approximately 1900 hrs. They will be available to discuss the itinerary and answer any questions about the week ahead. Early arrivals will can enjoy access to the indoor pool and spa area. After the briefing we will enjoy local Savoyard food prepared by the hotel chef.
A leisurely start and a great local day to begin with as we have an ascent to the summit of Le Bourgeoise. We have a very short drive before setting off on our route. The summit is easily gained at 1770 metres (5805ft), where we can enjoy excellent views of the surrounding mountains. The summit has a satisfying 'cross' to aim for and we will plan to have lunch perched on the top. There is a steep drop to one side which makes the summit feel quite exciting, but don't worry, you do not need to stand too close! After lunch we will aim to make a circuit back down to Samoëns, via the area below the Col de Joux Plane famous for road biking and the Tour de France. The 1997 winner Marco Pantani climbed to the Col de Joux Plane in 33 minutes! We suspect that you might take a little longer.
Ascent: 700m (2296ft) Distance: 5km (3.2 miles) Duration: 5h00
Today we head up the valley to Bonnavaz and pass the beautiful, photogenic old chapel to be found there. A beautiful trail continues through the forest and up to the wide open spaces below Pointe d'Uble. Our plan today is a circular hike round the mountain of Pointe d'Uble which sits at 1963 m (6438ft). This isa route which is quiet and away from the crowds, and which provides excellent views of Pointe Ratti, Praz de Lys, and the surrounding peaks all the way to the jagged teeth of the Dents du Midi. On a clear day we even have a view to the mighty Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Today is often a day for wildlife with both Mouflon, and Chamois to be found in this area. The mouflon is a wild sheep believed to be the ancestors of all modern domestic sheep breeds. On the way back we often stop at the characterful old cafe by the chapel at Bonnavaz.
Ascent: 500m (1640ft) Distance: 9.5km (5.9 miles) Duration: 7h00
The Bostan valley is a beautiful combe with jagged limestone cliffs rearing up on one side. It really is quite spectacular and worth the effort of the climb. We begin with a steady ascent through the woods to the Refuge de Bostan. The Refuge is very characterful, and if it is your first encounter with an alpine refuge you will not be disappointed. Normally the refuge is open and the guardian is in residence, and your guide will phone ahead to check if we can have our lunch here, or at least a cup of hot chocolate! From there we have a wide rolling comb to explore, and it makes for a lovely day enjoying the ambiance and remoteness of the surrounding mountains.
Ascent: 714m (2341ft) Distance: 10km (6.2 miles) Duration: 5h30
A lovely outing today to Mont Caly, with our day beginning with a drive to the alpine village of Les Gets. Our goal is the easy ascent to Mont Caly at 1489m (4883ft), and then onwards to the Col de Lachat at 1632m (5352ft) which offers a vast 360 degree panorama of the surrounding mountains. It is a day when we also discover the mountain 'alpage'. These high mountain villages are populated only during the summer months when the local people tend their herds of sheep and cows, producing mountain butter and cheese which is either sold to passing hikers or is stored for sale in the valley and in the winter months. If the weather is clear we may go higher to the shoulder of Mont Chery where we can benefit from an ever expanding view. If the local mountain restaurant is open we will aim to have lunch there.
Ascent: 470m (1541ft) Distance: 11km (6.8 miles) Duration: 4h50
Today we have a gentler day, less climbing and plenty of time to take in the views and enjoy the natural world of this hidden corner of the French Alps. We will be heading for the Plateau de Loëx which is a protected Natura 2000 area. There are some remarkable plant and animal species to be found here. Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas spread across the whole of the European Union. Other points of interest are the Jacquicourt Chapel which was built in 1679 and which marks the border between towns and villages of Taninges, Verchaix and Les Gets. The same year it was destroyed due to dispute over the border lines between pastures. It was then rebuilt according to the original plans between 1986 and 1989, putting an end to six centuries of conflict. Our route will be carefully chosen to avoid disturbing wildlife in the Natura 2000 zone, while enjoying the landscape around us.
Ascent: 350m (1148ft) Distance: 8km (5 miles) Duration: 4h30
This is our fabulous summit day! The Tête de la Sallaz offers snowshoers the chance to be in really high mountains while still in suitable and easy terrain for snowshoeing. We drive down to the main valley near the town of Cluses, before climbing the very steep and exciting alpine road to the high village of Romme. This is our starting point for our day out and our ascent to the Tête de la Sallaz, which sits at 2026 metres (6645ft) and offers stunning views to the Mont Blanc Massif and the nearby peak of Pointe d'Areu. It is a wonderful peak to finish off the week and gives the feeling of a big mountain day. Our guests always love this day out, and it really is a great destination. We are often accompanied by ski mountaineers and it makes for good entertainment to view the skiers descending the various gullies from the summit.
Ascent: 700m (2296ft) Distance: 8km (5 miles) Duration: 6h00
Today is your departure day. Please ask if you need help with arranging your transfers for your onward travel.
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.
In the event of there being a lean winter and a lack of snow to cover the entirety of our route this trip will go ahead. Snowshoes are an aid to hiking in winter and if we do not require them we will still enjoy a winter walking trip.
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 this trip we are delighted to be staying at the 4* Chalet-Hôtel Neige et Roc situated on the edge of Samoëns, the base for this week. Sample French village life, with the centre and its shops only a short walk away. The hotel the feel of a traditional Alpine chalet with exposed timber, an open fire and use of pinewood. The owners, Françoise & Olivier Deffaugt, take pride in welcoming guests to their family-run hotel and studios. In low season we book the 'standard' rooms for single use and 'superior' rooms for twins and doubles. In high season we book the hotel studios which are private apartments sleeping up to 2 people in twin or double beds. These are in an annexed building, but still have access to all of the 4* hotel facilities and meals. Single rooms are available.
The Chalet-Hôtel Neige et Roc offers all the ingredients for an enjoyable and relaxing stay: refined traditional Savoyard cuisine, comfortable rooms each with a balcony offering views of the valley and mountains, leisure area with indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, gym/fitness room, beauty treatments and massages, a games room (table football, table tennis, pinball), billiard room, cosy bar and a large landscaped garden. In the summer months there is also access to a heated swimming-pool, tennis courts and children's play area.
You can reach Samoëns, in France by road, rail or air. The nearest airport is Geneva, in Switzerland, and transfers can be arranged from the airport to Samoëns, which is in France, for around 65 Euros each way per person. There are various companies which offer this service, such as Powder Cab or Go Massif.
You can also take the Eurostar train then the TGV train to Cluses, where you can get a taxi to Samoëns. The train journey takes approx 2h30. The French rail timetables can be found at SNCF although it is also possible to book through the Swiss rail service here. It is best if you have a taxi reserved at Cluses as there is not a 'taxi rank' at the train station. You can pre-book a taxi with Taxi Malgrand: +33 680332539 or mail@taximalgrand.com. Or upon arrival at Cluses you can take the Altibus service which runs regularly to Samoëns and costs approximately 10 Euros for a single ticket. It will drop you at the bus station in Samoëns. The bus stop is 300 metres from the hotel.
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 can be booked but 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. The single supplement is £475 in January and £900 in February. The increased price in February is due to it being high season and studio for one person being booked.
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 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.
Your guide will have all the maps necessary and you are not required to navigate. However, if you wish to arrive with maps of the route you will need two French IGN Carte de Randonnee:
Samoëns IGN 3530 ET
La Clusaz, Grand-Bornand IGN 3430 ET
Your guide may take you into an area which is outwith these maps, and if so it is likely that you can buy the map locally.
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
We encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for traditional food and where the menu reflects the best that the region provides.
The hotels to there best to accommodate the dietary needs of our guest . If you are vegetarian this is not a problem as the hotel is used to being asked for vegetarian meals. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance which will make you ill then the accommodation will cater for this as best they can but we would ask that you make it clear on your booking form of any food intolerance so that we can discuss your needs with the hotel at the earliest point possible. When using remote mountain huts the staff are usually able to offer breakfast and dinner which meet with the clients needs. Packed lunches can be more problematic and so we do suggest that, if you do have a specific dietary requirement, you bring a range of suitable snacks to supplement the lunches. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance 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 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.
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.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 11 Jan - Sat 18 Jan Code: SAM1 |
Price: £1845 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 22 Feb - Sat 01 Mar Code: SAM2 |
Price: £1875 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1845 |
| Holiday Type | Low Impact |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2026m (6645ft) |
| Countries Visited | France |
| Meet In | Samoëns, France |
