Chamonix Snowshoe

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 14 reviews.

gwen lewis

CHAMONIX SNOWSHOE

Written January 2011
I've been on snowshoeing holidays before and know that for a perfect week you need the environment, the weather, the snow, the accommodation, the food, the group and the guide to be good. This was such a week. It was superb. To think it was all run by two people - Oliver and Elaine - is incredible!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were several: walking up through lovely quiet valleys such as Lavachey and Bionnassay.Views from the peaks we climbed to - 360 degrees of big mountains spanning three countries sometimes. A bit of adrenaline rush climbing a steep little hill and descending the other side. Sitting in a hot tub in the early evening looking at the majestic peaks above Chamonix with their ice shining in the moonlight.
What did you think of your group leader?
Oliver was a superb guide. He chose excellent places to walk in to make the most of the snow conditions. He was very knowledgeable about the area, having lived there for some time, and he imparted his love of the environment. He set a steady pace and we had good full days leaving us feeling we deserved the cake by the time we arrived back! He was professional and courteous.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Ring the office before booking This was a challenging week (as opposed to moderate) but some people didn't know that as they had booked online.
Also as temperatures last week fell from 13 to -8 I wished I'd taken a small flask to have a hot drink rather than my cold water.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A holiday I would do again very happily.
Sue 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.
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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!
John Midwinter

CHAMONIX SNOWSHOE

Written February 2010
I love snowshoeing and the mountains in winter and as someone over 70, find it to be something I can do on equal terms with others 40 years younger. But I felt the accomodation standard on this trip was well below that, say, on the Dolomites or Rondablikk, ones that I have also enjoyed, and I also felt that at times the grading of "moderate" as defined by Exodus rather underestimated the effort required.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I suppose it is always the thrill of a new snow-filled vista opening up as one emerges from the trees or crosses a ridge. And in general, the pleasure of being in the mountains without the encumbrance of downhill ski equipment or the necessity for massive machines (ski-lifts) to deliver one there. And then linked to that, the peace and beauty when one arrives, without the worry of a mad skier hitting one at 70mph!
What did you think of your group leader?
My personal view on this specific trip was that he did not adequately consider the needs of his clients, in stark contrast to the leaders on the other Exodus trips I have been on.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you enjoy walking in the mountains in the summer, then you will love snowshoeing in them in the winter and apart from extra clothing, need nothing else by way of fitness or training. I have recommended these holidays to several (retired) friends and they have all enjoyed them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I have always found the Exodus office very helpful.
Exodus Response
We are sorry to read that Mr Midwinter was unhappy with some elements of the trip and appreciate his feedback. We rarely receive comments about the grade being incorrect for this snowshoe trip and feel that the level is accurately described in the trip notes. The accommodation he enjoyed in Rondablikk and the Dolomites are 3 and 4 star rated hotels as opposed to a chalet. The Chalet Savoy itself is perhaps not the most modern but we do feel it offers a homely charm which most guests enjoy. Our leader, Oliver Ensor has been guiding trips for many years and is use to looking after groups with varying abilities. He consistently receives top reviews, which can be seen here and on both the Mont Blanc Winter Activity Week (CEB) and Mont Blanc Highlights trip (TWN) trips.

- Exodus Staff
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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
Brian Bottomley

CHAMONIX SNOWSHOE

Written July 2011
Chamonix a lovely area which had visited many times before including Chalet Savoy some 9 years previous, the accomodation and food were both excellent and of the highest quality. But the major let down was the technical, physical and duration of the walking which was advertised as grade "C" but was is reallity only "A/B" grade at best which let some what "sour taste" to the week.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting back from our leisurely / sedate short convoy stroll along "jeep tracks" to the large home made cake and most enjoyable evening meal.
What did you think of your group leader?
Oliver had great knowledge of the surrounding area which he shared with us and was aware at all times of the safety required to be on the mountain.
However we were made to walk at "all" times in a tight convoy (including when conditions were safe to be more spread out), there was little / no opportunity to "make fresh tracks" due to the above. For a grde "C" week the pace was far far too slow, of a completely non technical nature - mainly walking up & down jeep tracks" and the time spent actually walking each day was very small.
On reflection I think Oliver isn't up physically to leading grade "C" weeks so I am disapointed to see that these are still offered in the new 2011/12 brochure.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As you will have see above this trek is great if you like "Convoy slow walking up jeep tracks" and be aware of the gradings as our "C" week was not actually of this grade.
All the above issues have been raised with Exodus but they were unwilling to accept owner due to the large volume of custom from Chalet Savoy.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I feel that since Exodus has become owned by First Choice there has become more of an emphasis on customer numbers rather than customer service, hence this is why the brochure is now full of mainly "Main Stream High Volume Treks"
Exodus Response
As Mr Bottomley mentions we have already replied directly to his concerns. We are confident that the walks on this trip are set at a suitable level and that Oliver enables the walks to be enjoyable whilst ensuring the safety of all in the group. From reviewing all feedback we are confident that the grade C weeks offer the correct amount of difficulty and that Oliver is suitable to lead these weeks (see Jan 2011 review by Gerard Neilan that reflects this). Oliver himself has climbed Mont Blanc Solo, regularly trains Cross-country ski racing with members of the British and army team and holds the International Mountain Leader qualification plus three ISIA badges (International Ski Instructor Association) - Austria, USA and Britain. All the above qualifications are regularly re-evaluated and Oliver is more than qualified and capable for leading this week. He also leads 17 of our Mont Blanc Highlights trip back to back throughout the summer. Obviously in winter conditions leaders do have to follow increased safety measures and we would expect and require no less than this. As with any group snowshoeing holiday the leader can only go as fast as the overall group can manage.   On Mr. Bottomley’s week some of the group would have struggled with a faster pace. To quote from his wife’s four star review: “snow shoeing is quite hard work”.   On these pages there are reviews from other clients, please again see comments from his wife Mrs Bottomley who says 'Oliver is great - full of knowledge about the area. He always knew the best places to go for the best conditions'. We are passionate about providing the best quality of trips and customer service possible. As you will see from the comments many of our clients have been very happy with this holiday and wholeheartedly recommend it.

- Exodus Staff