Snowshoeing in the Undiscovered French Alps

Listen to the satisfying crunch of snow beneath your feet as you snowshoe through the prisine winter wildernesses under blue skies and sunshine!

A week of guided snowshoeing in the Southern French Alps staying in a great little Auberge in the wild alpine valley of Champoleon. Half board accommodation, transport, transfers, equipment and guided snowshoeing all included.

Ideal for individuals, couples or or small groups who want to join a group. Minimum group size is 6.

No previous snowshoeing experience is needed. Suitable for people of average fitness - regular dog walkers, gym goers or hill walkers wanting an active week in the winter wilderness!

During the week you will discover one of the most dramatic and beautiful national parks in the Alps - the Ecrins National Park. There are plenty of tracks to follow and animals to spot including foxes, chamois, ibex, maybe a wild boar and plenty of birds. There are even wolves in the proximity. Snowshoe through forests, over frozen lakes, across open snow meadows, up to a summit, over a col or along the valley floor with the mountains in all their winter glory towering over you.

Have a look at our example 8 day itinerary in the itinerary section for an idea of some of the snowshoe walks available.

All the guides we use are qualified accompagnateurs en montagne or UIAGM high mountain guides (depending on level of route) and will make your safety and enjoyment their top priority.

We will also be arranging a trip to a local company who produce health and beauty products from local trees and plants such as silver birch and sea buckthorn berries - a look behind the scenes at the making of organic alpine products!

For your free day, you can either chill out in the Auberge or go for a self guided snowshoe walk in the Champoleon valley. Or, you can visit the market in the nearby resort of Orcieres, go for a pampering session in the spa or if you would like to explore the Aps in winter alternatively... why not try; giant tyrolean zip wire, ice climbing, husky dog sledging or cross country skiing. Please note any extra activities would carry a supplement but a transfer up to Orcieres where most of the activities are based is free of charge.

The Auberge is quite basic but has a great atmosphere. It was completely restored by the commune in 2008 in a modern funky style but still manages to retain some of it's old mountain heritage! It is now managed by a great team of passionate outdoories, headed up by Stephanie and Laurent.

The food is excellent and there is a bar, internet access, library and children's play area and some of the most beautiful views in the area!

The rooms come in various sizes from double or twin rooms to large family rooms - all with en-suite bathrooms with either shower or bath.


This trip is also available as a short break over New Year (5 night trip) for 579 euros.

0845 009 8501

Itinerary / Highlights

This is an example itinerary of some of the snowshoe walks in the area and is what we generally use for the fixed dates group trip but there are lots of other possibilities, suitable for a variety of fitness levels and interests.

The Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys are situated just on the edge of the Ecrins National Park and are rarely visited and remain one of the true winter wildernesses and wildlife refuges of the Alps.

There are numerous possibilities for snow shoeing in and around the area and this itinerary is just an example. In reality when you are here, the guides will decide where to go to make the most of the conditions of the week and present their programme then.

All our guides are fully qualified snow shoe guides with the french 'Accompagnateur en montagne' qualifications or UIAGM high mountain guides, depending on the route. They will have your safety and enjoyment as their priority through out the trip.


DAY 1 - Arrival

Depending on what time you arrive you can go for a short walk around the area, visit the local village or just relax in your accommodation and drink in the views!

We'll come to meet you at your accommodation, go through the various snowshoeing options and bring your snow shoes to try on!

For people booking on to the fixed dates group trips, we will collect you from Gap train station.


DAY 2 - Wildlife Spotting or Lake Snowshoe

Wildlife Spotting in the Champoleon Valley

Half day introduction to snowshoeing, winter wildlife and snow safety in the mountains in winter

The Champoleon valley is a wild winter wilderness frequented by chamois and ibex.

It is walled by 3000 meter peaks with a river along the valley bottom, a scattering of traditional alpine villages, trees and cliffs.

There are several walks to be done in this valley and you'll spend half a day walking along the valley looking out for signs of wildlife and if you're lucky you'll get to see the chamois frolicking in the snow.

This will be a gentle start to your week, to help you get used to wearing snowshoes and warm up your walking legs. The guide will also explain the safety of the mountains in winter!

OR:

Lac de Barbeyroux

Half day walk through mixed forest and alpine snow meadows to a frozen lake

On a day of fresh new snow - this is one of my favourite winter snow shoe walks in the whole of the Champsaur valley.

Walking along the south facing side of the valley, the sun is with you all the way, sparkling off the snow.

The beech woods, with a layer of snow delicately balanced over their leafless tangled branches, the pine trees laden down with snow blankets just waiting to be pinged, the open meadows of virgin snow crying out for you to be the first to mark your tracks and finally the lake itself with its unique crystal formations, icicles and ice patterns.... all extremely beautiful and breathtaking!

Again there are several options for getting to the lake, some involve a bit of a climb and some involve a simple traverse - we can decide on the day what you fancy!


DAY 3 - Through the Larches in St Leger Les Melezes

Half day snowshoe walk through forest ending up at a high altitude chalet for mulled wine

St Leger Les Melezes is a beautiful little ski village situated half way up the mountain in a forest of larch trees (melezes - is larch in french).

There is a whole network of forest tracks and trails criss crossing the mountain side with magnificent views over the Champsaur valley and of the Vieux Chaillol mountain (Champsaur's highest mountain).

This walk can be as strenuous or relaxing as you like - it is very easily adaptable. There are steep paths going all the way up to the summit of La Cuchon or gentle traverses of the forest - you can decide on the day!

It's best to do this walk as an afternoon.... and finish it in the high altitude chalet hidden away in the forest! After a few hours of fresh air and exercise a glass of mulled wine or cup of steaming hot chocolate will be just the ticket!


Day 4 - Summit of La Palastre

Full day snowshoe with picnic on the col (6 - 7 hrs)

This is a beautiful and very rewarding day out up to the summit of La Palastre at 2278m.

It is a gradual ascent through open snow fields and rocky outcrops with beautiful views over the Champsaur valley - about 720m of ascent in total.

You will see ice falls, woods, interesting rock formations and magnificent views so plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the scenery, look out for animal tracks and take photos.

After reaching the col for a well deserved picnic lunch in the sun, you head up to the summit for that real top of the world feeling!

Then it is all down hill and on snow shoes you can slide, run, jump and generally have lots of fun getting down the mountain - the snow is very forgiving!

A really good day out in the mountains!!


DAY 5 Rest / Choice Day

There are plenty of things to do in the area from a day ice climbing to a day relaxing in the pool and jacuzzi complex.

So you can either relax and let your legs recover, chilling out at your accommodation admiring the views or in the jacuzzi, try something completely different like: ice diving, giant tyrolean zip wire, ice climbing, husky dog sledging or cross country skiing or continue snowshoeing and go on one of the self-guided snowshoe walks in the area.

It is really up to you and we can discuss the options available when you are here.

Please note that any activities or ski passes organised for this day are not included in the price and would be payable as an extra, either at the time of booking if you already know what you would like to do or locally when you are here.


DAY 6 - Remote Alpine Village of Prapic OR Moonlit Snowshoe

Half day snowshoe through a classic alpine village and in to the Ecrins National Park

Starting in Prapic, an ancient farming village, still habited all year round by about four families, with classic alpine architecture and village lay out - very pretty.

After the village you walk in to the Ecrins National Park through a beautiful classic u shaped valley. There are choices for exactly where you go - up on to a plateau or following the river, but which ever way you choose you'll be rewarded with stunning scenery.

At the top of the valley there is a waterfall (usually frozen in winter) called the Saut du Laire which means 'jump of the thief' - it has an interesting little folk tale associated with it that your guide will be only too pleased to tell!

The way back passes a quaint little chapel situated all on it's own in the winter wilderness - a reminder of the religious heritage of this valley!

OR

Moonlit Snowshoe

An evening under the stars - a magical one off experience

There are several places that are perfect for a moonlit snowshoe. The start time depends on the time of year and location and can be anything from 18:30 to 20:00.

The glow of red and orange as the sun sets over the mountains is a truly beautiful scene. And what better way to enjoy it than in the peace and tranquility of the high mountain environment on snowshoes. Experience the calmness of the Alps at night, gaze at the stars and pin point the man on the moon!


DAY 7 - The summit of La Piolit

Full day snowshoe with picnic on the col (6 - 7 hrs)

This is a big but very rewarding day out up to the summit of La Piolit at 2484m.

This snow shoe walk starts off following the beautiful Rouanne valley from Ancelle. Then about half way up you start to climb, zig zagging through beautiful mixed forest with a view of a dramatic cliff face (Le Lauterat) across the valley.

Then as the woods start to thin you walk out on to open snow fields with magnificent views all around you. There are different routes to get to the summit, but the most popular is to go up to the col de la Pourachrere at 2173m.

As well as being a great picnic spot, this is also a good opt out point if anyone doesn't fancy going up to the top. You can sit and wait in the sunshine and enjoy the amazing views right over the Gapencais and Champsaur valleys.

Those who get to the summit will also see the Lac du Serre Poncon (biggest damned lake in Europe) in all its winer glory!

Then it is all down hill and on snow shoes you can slide, run, jump and generally have lots of fun getting down the mountain - the snow is very forgiving!


DAY 8 - Return Home

This is the sad day when we have to say goodbye :( but hopefully it will be more a bientot than aurevoir!

Other Details

Accommodation Details

An Auberge newly refurbished in unique style of modern funky decor whilst still retaining it's rustic mountain heritage!

It is situated in the beautiful Champoleon valley just at the entrance to the Ecrins National Park, one of the most dramatic mountain ranges of the French Alps.

The accommodation has a very good restaurant (where vegetarians don't have to feel like lepers!), bar, internet access, library and children's play area and some of the most beautiful views in the area!

The rooms are quite basic but clean and functional and come in various sizes from small double or twin rooms to large family rooms - all with en-suite bathrooms with either shower or bath.

It is run by a small team of passionate foodies and outdoories headed by Stephanie and Laurent and their two children, who will ensure you are well looked after.

In winter there is snowshoeing, ice climbing and cross country skiing right on your doorstep and you are only 15 minutes drive from the down hill ski resorts.

Please note the Auberge is quite remote and there are no shops within walking distance.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES - ideal for individuals looking to join a group
8 Day Holidays 798 euros‚ per person
12 Jan - 19 Jan 2013 - PLACES AVAILABLE
16 - 23 February 2013 - PLACES AVAILABLE

5 Day Holiday 579 euros per person
29 Dec 2012 - 2 January 2013 - PLACES AVAILABLE


OTHER DATES:
We can also organise this trip for groups of 6 or more people booking together at any time between December and April subject to availability.

0845 009 8501