Southern Alps Snowshoe Trek

Day 1
Start in the alpine village of Montbardon. Our first nights accommodation will be the Cadran Solaire Gite in Montbardon. Montbardon is a picturesque alpine village located between Guillestre and Chateau Queyras. After dinner we will be briefed by our leader about the route for the trek and need only pack a rucksack for the next day as we will be returning to the same gite the following night.

Day 2
This loop walk will bring you to a relatively undiscovered part of the Alps with one of the most remarkable mountain pastures, the Fontantie plateau. With a little luck we might see the spotted nutcracker a bird associated with the Queyras Regional Park. Near to the summit, we will have a fantastic view over the Ecrins National Park before heading back to the gite for the evening. Ascent: 645m Descent: 645m Distance: 6km

Day 3
This walks offers some of the most beautiful winter landscape in the Alps. From the Fountain rouge pass, we will get a breathtaking view over the Arnaude ridge. We will then descend toward the Aigues valley and Molines en Queyras where we will stay in the Gite Les Arolles for the night.
Ascent: 897m Descent: 647m Distance: 8km

Day 4
Today we will set off for a superb ascent as famous for ski touring as it is for snowshoeing, up the summit 'la gardiole de l'Alp' - 2786 m. From the top we will enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of peaks and valleys of the Queyras. The slope, never too steep, is enough to guarantee a lot of fun on the way down! We head back to Les Arolles in the evening.
Ascent: 1049m Descent: 1049m Distance: 6,8km

Day 5
We will start the day with an easy walk along the Aigue Blanche stream. As we climb up, the view will open up to a fantastic panorama overlooking the magnificent village of Saint Véran, one of the highest in Europe and a fantastic example of typical Alpine architecture. The ascent of the 'Crete du Curlet', or Curlet ridge, is truly the highlight of the week; a genuine high altitude experience with incredible views!
From the Curlet ridge we will then head down to Saint Véran and the Gite les Gabelous.
Ascent: 1001m Descent: 708m Distance: 10.4km

Day 6
Take your time and visit Saint Véran at your own pace. Today a lot of optional activities are also offered to you so you can make the most of your time in this winter sports heaven. Stay in the Gite les Gabelous for the night.

Optional activities:
-enjoy a day downhill skiing or cross country skiing
-try dog sledding
-enjoy a day of relaxation at one of the local hotels: sauna and jacuzzi
-experience a tandem paragliding flight.

Day 7
Today's walk will bring us to another real alpine winter environment with endless views of virgin snow. The North face descent from Col du Longet (2701m) down to Fontgillarde is always a memorable moment of snowshoeing. Then walk down to Molines to the Gite Les Arolles for the night.
Ascent: 735m Descent: 1084m Distance: 15,4km

Day 8
End Molines.