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!
Your trip starts in the world famous mountain town of Chamonix, in France. Chamonix has a rich history as a climbing and hiking destination having attracted mountain lovers for many centuries. It is perhaps most famous for its incredible mountain views of glaciers and summits which are dominated by the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc which today sits at 4810m (15,777ft). Ever since Mont Blanc was first climbed in August 1786 it has inspired the climbers who come to Chamonix throughout the summer months with their dreams of ascending the 'mighty Blanc'.
This evening, at approximately 1830 hrs, 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.
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.
Our accommodation for these weeks is usually 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. This year our January week will be based at the La Chaumière Mountain Lodge, Chamonix.
The La Chaumière Mountain Lodge offers excellent views to the sparkling glaciers of Mont Blanc. The Lodge is run by a family with a long history of managing hotels across Europe. Since they opened in 2012 they have refurbished room by room keeping a sporty and relaxed theme, while adding their own fresh Scandinavian touches. The hotel is on the edge of town which means it is quieter, yet it is within walking distance of the main shopping street in the historic town centre. It is also right by the train and bus stop so getting around with the free travel Guest Card is very convenient.
The Hotel Aiguille du Midi, situated on the outskirts of Chamonix, has excellent views to Mont Blanc and a reputation for great food. Over the last 100 years five generations of the Farini family have managed this hotel, a tradition which continues today. We know that Carla and Vincent will give you a warm welcome. The hotel, which sits below the Les Bossons glacier, has forty traditionally decorated rooms. There is a small relaxation area with a sauna, and jacuzzi.
Chamonix, France is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
If travelling by train we recommend booking through RailEurope or Trainline. The most direct route is taking the Eurostar to Gare de Nord and then use the TGV system via Gare de Lyon, Bellegarde Sur Valserine, St Gervais le Bains and finally to Chamonix Mont Blanc.
For coach travel we recommend using Flixbus. For more information on travelling by public transport, please see our travel blog.
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.
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.
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 £390.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 25 Jan - Sat 01 Feb Code: MBS1 |
Price: £1705 | Limited availability | Book |
|
Sat 01 Mar - Sat 08 Mar Code: MBS2 |
Price: £1705 | Spaces available | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 24 Jan - Sat 31 Jan Code: MBS1 |
Price: £1775 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 28 Feb - Sat 07 Mar Code: MBS2 |
Price: £1775 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1705 |
| Holiday Type | Low Impact |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2236m (7334ft) |
| Countries Visited | France, Switzerland |
| Meet In | Chamonix Valley, France |
