Countries Visited: France, Italy
Essential Information
Trip Profile
No particular experience needed, but good general level of fitness required. Instruction for cross-country skiing is given for both beginners and intermediates. Transport by private minicoach.
Price Includes
Return flights from Heathrow or Gatwick to Geneva with British Airways, airport transfers (for group flights only)
7 nights at the Chalet Savoy
All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners
Two days cross-country ski instruction
One and a half days guided snowshoeing
Nordic walking session
Half-day dogsledding
Visit to St. Bernard Dog kennels
Ice-skating session
Horse sleigh ride
Mont Blanc Express train ride
Snowshoe equipment
Tour leader throughout
Optional Activities:
Downhill skiing in the Chamonix Valley
Guided glacier walk
Aiguille du Midi by cable car
Accommodation
Chalet Savoy
homely chalet run by Oliver and Elaine Ensor for over 18 years, Chalet Savoy is perched on a hillside above the charming village of Les Houches, a few miles from Chamonix. There are 8 bedrooms, all with private facilities and mountain views, and some with balconies. The chalet has free wifi access, communal computer, an outdoor hot tub, drying room, dining room and a comfortable lounge and fireplace where we take tea and cakes in front of an open fire.
Food
All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners included.
Reality Check
This trip is graded A/B, which means that no previous experience required.
The snowshoeing is suitable for regular summer hill walkers. The cross-country is aimed at beginners, but intermediates and experts will also benefit from the attention of our ski instructor. Although a programme is detailed, the actual order of events may be changed. The final timetable will be decided by the leader during the week.
Risk of injury All active winter holidays involve some element of risk; from something as normal as slipping on icy pavements, to the possibility of injuries sustained as a result of the activities themselves. While we do all we can to minimize any dangers, participants must be prepared to accept some risk as part of the holiday.
Normal group size and age
Normally min. 4, max. 15. Minimum age 18.
Icons explained
The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together.
All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please
see our Solo Departures page.
In order to provide a more accurate grading system, where a trip falls between two grades we use an intermediate or split grade, for example Leisurely/Moderate. Occasionally, there are optional activities available en route, in this case the optional grade is indicated in brackets, for example Grade Challenging (climb Tough+). Clearly, conditions may differ from region-to-region or month-to-month and as such the information given on these pages is designed to act as a guide only. In all cases you should refer to the respective holiday's Trip Notes for further details.
Cross-country skiing: will involve intensive instruction, and our groups are carefully graded to ensure participants have similar levels of experience.
Cross-country ski grades: 1 Beginners | 2 Intermediates (suitable for confident beginners) | 2+ Intermediates (not suitable for beginners) | 3 Advanced | 4 Strenuous | and for Cross-country Skating levels: 1 Beginners | 2 Intermediates - For full explanations of Cross-Country Grading and Levels please see below or check here to view the full Winter Grades page.
Winter Activities: It's about seeking out alternative ways to have fun in unspoilt locations, you won't find standard skiing or snowboarding breaks here.
Mixed Activities: Activities may range from the ordinary (for example walking, cycling or whitewater rafting) to the damn right extraordinary (including caving, camel riding or canyoning).
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