CHAMONIX SNOWSHOE

Our Clients’ Reviews

• 

  Susan Bayliss

  CHAMONIX SNOWSHOE

  

  Written February 2010

  Making fresh trails through deep snow away from the crowds, beautiful views, the satisfaction at completing the climbs and then the fun of descending. Oliver and Elaine looking after us so well. This was my first snow shoeing trip and I can't wait to go again. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Exploring a wonderful area on snow shoes.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Oliver is very experienced and works hard to ensure the group get the most from the week, whilst ensuring everyone's safety. His local knowledge means he knows the best walking options each day based on the conditions and gives you a range of different walks throughout the week. He made all the walks really enjoyable, although I don't think the jokes have improved (see previous comments!)

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Read the trip notes for info on kit needed and activity levels. On the grade B week you'll be ascending & descending between 500m and 600m a day so you need to be reasonably fit. Enjoy it!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Chalet Savoy is a very comfortable and welcoming place to return to each day, especially to find one of Elaine's home made cakes waiting for you after each walk and of course there's also the hot tub and sauna.

  Snow shoeing is easy to pick up, but if like me you don't master it straight away, falling over in soft deep snow is all part of the fun!

   
• 

  Sally Ann Pedlar

  CHAMONIX SNOWSHOE

  

  Written February 2008

  A beautiful area and superb location with a real family feel. Oliver and Elaine looked after us so well and the walking was great. Sitting in the hot tub by night looking up at L'Aiguille du Midi and the rising moon takes some beating! 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The feeling of awe on the Mont Blanc Glacier at 3,000 m, looking across to the Matterhorn and feeling very small. There were so many superb landscapes throughout the holiday and the weather was beautiful - sparkling snow and laden trees.

  I really did love the hot tub outside - such a treat at the beginning and end of the day - looking at the changing sky and peaks all around.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent, very professional and great fun. Endless store of corny jokes! He really did his best to look after us all with our differing abilities. So on the day we came back early due to weather he offered a mini walk to the keenies - which turned into 2 hours and was rounded off by a visit to a very elegant new hotel! Impressed by his knowledge and attention to detail - like the avalanche equipment and training.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Its a great holiday if you like walking, but be aware its fairly strenuous and you need to be reasonably fit

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I really love snowshoeinging - have tried and failed skiing - no sense  of balance and hate slipping and sliding but I feel really good on snowshoes - so just want to keep doing more . Please keep these holidays going and add more.

   But I could well return to Oliver and Elaine's confortable home with open fire and homemade cakes and of course the hot tub!

   
• 

  Gabriel Decio

  CHAMONIX SNOWSHOE

  

  Written January 2008

  The daily walks took us to the top of the world, literally; we had the most stunning views right at our feet after an invigorating walk. Our stay at the chalet was great: the hospitality, the afternoon cake, the food, the place.  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The walks were definitely the most inspirational part of the trip. We were immersed in the most beautiful scenery all the time. After a seven-hour walk, we felt the achievement and were ready for cake and coffee at the chalet.

  The stay at Chalet Savoy was also an inspirational moment of this holiday. Oliver and Elaine make sure you are well taken care of, well fed, and safe.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  He is very professional, with excellent leadership skills, and, most importanly, a great person.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Make sure your feet fit snugly in your boots; otherwise, the long descent may be a killer on your toes.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We got to eat loads of Elaine's excellent food (I really mean "excellent") and we got to burn it all!

   
• 

  Alleyne A Oman

  The Joy of Snowshoeing & Exodus

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The best part of the trip was seeing my partner Andy enjoying his first snowshoeing trip. (He had heard me rave about my past snowshoeing trips with Exodus and was really looking forward to the trip.)  He had so much fun tramping in the snow like a 3 year old! 

  Read full review

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Oliver was fantastic!  He was organised, helpful, super experienced, approachable, knowledgeable, funny (well, some of his jokes wouldn't really make it to The Comedy Store!)  Because of the wet, April-like weather we experienced during our week, he was able to come up with 'Plan A, Plan B, Plan C...and once a Plan D' to ensure we were out on our snowshoes.  It highlights again the value of having a local leader on a trip.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be pepared for wet weather...even on a winter snowshoeing trip! (We got more rain than snow during our week.)

  Be flexible.  (Because of the rain and avalanche conditions, we weren't able to go to several of the spots noted on the Itinerary.)

   Be prepared to eat and drink well in Exodus style apres shoeshoeing!

  Snowshoeing is not a walk in the park. It is strenuous but so rewarding. If you are not fit, or do no serious walking, a snowshoeing trip may be too much for you and would detract from the enjoyment of the walking areas, group dynamic and your own physical state of being. (I have had some people who never did any exercise and decided that a snowshoeing trip would be fun. They only made it out on 2 out of the 5 walks!)

  There may/may not be a mix of ages and sexes. (For example, we were the youngest on the trip...me at 40 and Andy at 35. Fitness0

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  When it comes to selecting a snowshoeing trip,  Exodus is the only adventure travel company I would advise. The variety of locations, levels of difficulty, knowledge and experience of the leaders, social aspects apres walking and the quality of accomodations make for fantastic trips.