Chamonix Snowshoe - France Winter Activity Holiday

Essential Information

Trip Profile

5 days guided snowshoeing; moderate to strenuous daywalks with snowshoes; no previous experience required for Grade B weeks, some mountain experience essential for grade C weeks.

Price Includes

Return flights from Heathrow or Gatwick to Geneva with British Airways, airport transfers (for group flights only)
7 nights at the Hotel Couronne
All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners
5 guided snowshoe walks
Snowshoes and poles
Tour leader throughout

Optional Activities:
Guided glacier walk
Downhill and cross-country skiing
Tandem paragliding
Helicopter sightseeing flight over Mont Blanc

Accommodation

Hotel Couronne 2-star

A charming hotel, it is one of the oldest in the valley giving it a traditional décor and warm reception. All rooms have televisions with most overlooking Mont Blanc or the Aiguille Verte ranges. There is a ski room with private lockers and heated boot rack and a lounge in which to relax by the log fire after a day on the snow. Free WiFi connection is available in the lounge.

Food

7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners.

Reality Check

For Grade B weeks no previous experience required, but you should be confident of your fitness.

For Grade C weeks some previous mountain experience is essential.

Routes are decided by the leader according to snow and weather conditions. The average ascent per day will be 500-600 metres. Maximum ascent: 760 metres on Grade B week and 920 metres on a Grade C week. Expect 5½ -7 hours per day spent on the mountain for both grades but on Grade C departures there will be a faster pace, larger climbs and less breaks.

Grade B weeks: 30 Dec 2012 (CEC252), 17 Feb 2013 (CEC307), 24 Mar 2013 (CEC312), 29 Dec 2013 (CEC352)

Grade C weeks: 20 Jan 2013 (CEC303), 03 Mar 2013 (CEC309)

Your safety 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. Please see 'walking conditions / activity details' in the Trip Notes, and 'risk of injury' note at the back of the Winter Activities brochure or the online FAQs for this trip for further information.

High Mountain Snowshoeing: We have chosen to categorize this holiday as 'High Mountain Snowshoeing', which is described as using mountainous terrain, but where we restrict travel to areas considered to have low avalanche risk. However these may become higher risk areas in certain conditions that may occur a number of times through the season. There is likely to be plenty of steep terrain, cliffs and drop-offs which must be avoided with careful navigation.

Each day the leader will carefully assess the situation and choose the route according to current conditions and those forecast, with the over-riding priority being group safety. Our leaders are required not to proceed with any proposed route (including those mentioned in the brochure or trip notes) if they believe the risk to be unacceptable.

Snowshoes are adaptable to fit most trekking boot sizes, however if you wear larger than UK size 12 boots (US13 or EU47) please let us know at the time of booking. We will then be able to confirm if we can provide suitable snowshoes for you.

Normal group size and age

Normally 1 to 12. Minimum age 16.

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.

Relatively full days, with 3-4 hours of physical activity, although occasional longer or harder days may be involved. Previous experience is not necessary, but you should be confident of your fitness level.

Walking & Trekking: Trips are wholly trekking-focused or simply include a significant number of walking days during the itinerary.

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.