Pyrenees Winter Walk And 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 12 reviews.

Christina Turner

PYRENEES WINTER WALK & SNOWSHOE

Written December 2012
An excellent holiday - just as described in the brochure it was moderate/challenging walking with amazing views. Very well organised, great walk leader topped off by fantastic food!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing a wild boar running across a snowfield - wow!
What did you think of your group leader?
Very well informed and quite a character!!
Eric Davies

PYRENEES WINTER WALK & SNOWSHOE

Written December 2012
Great walking and snowshoeing all week. Lots of variety in the walks - snowfields, hills, woods etc. , all with excellent views. Accommodation fine with the bonus of excellent food and plenty of it!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Got to be the wild boar!
What did you think of your group leader?
A character and a half with excellent local knowledge!
Dinah Roberts

PYRENEES WINTER WALK & SNOWSHOE

Written March 2012
A real get away from it all experience. I usually do all my plotting and scheming when I'm walking but snow shoeing took all my concentration
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
High in the snow on the mountains, clear blue skies and sense of achievement , big dose of fresh air , meeting no-one but our party and just animal prints in the snow
What did you think of your group leader?
Perfect mix of professionalism and friendliness
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trip notes were comprehensive the only query we all had was whether you really needed a 40litre day pack
We all thought smaller would do
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Overall great holiday , good combination
Glad I selected this trip, was looking at warmer climes
Simon Barber

PYRENEES WINTER WALK & SNOWSHOE

Written February 2012
A beautiful part of the Pyrenees - I've walked this area in Spring and Summer, and now I know Winter is just as good. Showshoing up the Pyrenees is no harder than walking up in Summer - and indeed going downhill is easier, the snow takes the shock rather than your knees. Wonderful chalet accommodation - the food was excellent and plenty of it.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Crossing the frontier to Spain at about 2200 metres, and looking down at the Aran Valley in blazing sunshine. Standing on a mountain ridge in February wearing a t-shirt and sun-screen.
What did you think of your group leader?
Chris is a very good leader - some of the routes had potential for real hazard, but he got us across safely.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Even in Winter, take some hot-weather clothing. I wore pile saloperttes, which were excellent for the conditions expected in February - but we had 4 brilliant sunny days, and I was sweltering going uphill!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The chalet "La Feniere" is a wonderful spot. Bagneres de Luchon around the valley is one of my favourite towns of the Pyrenees, and up from the chalet is Superbagneres - on our rest day I took the cable-car up to the top and walked down to the chalet, spotting lizards already running around the sunny walls - and this was February. Braver souls arranged tandem para-gliding from the top, while others hired skis for the day. Definitely there's a lot to do.
Timothy Purkiss

PYRENEES WINTER WALK & SNOWSHOE

Written January 2012
This was an absolutly fantastic holiday. The food, scenery and company were all brilliant and it was of course in a magnificent area. It was a diverse group of people but everyone got on very well, had plenty of laughs, and will keep in touch I hope.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
On New Yeras day when we reached a peak on the border between France and Spain. It was a beautifull, sunny, still day and the views across to the Mediteranian on the Spanish side were something I will remember for a very long time. I can't think of a better place to seen in the New Year from!
What did you think of your group leader?
Very good. The leader made sure that all of the walks were fun, safe and yet challenging. It was good for people to feel like they had actually achieved something at the end of each day. He also contributed to the jokes and the fun atmosphere which helped to make sure people were almost never in a bad mood.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You will need to be reasonably fit to do this holiday. It is also very important that you bring all of the correct kit as specified in the trip notes. A good pair of sunglasses are particularly important, because on sunny days the glare of the sun on the snow is quite dazzling.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There is nothing bad I can think off to say about this holiday. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I did not really want to come home at the end of the week!
Joanne Stockton

PYRENEES WINTER WALK AND SNOWSHOE

Written March 2010
Amazing scenery, delicious food, almost-perfect weather, great company.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The ridge walk on the final day was spectacular. The conditions were ideal, with bright sunshine, blue skys and most importantly, lots of snow!
What did you think of your group leader?
Merv was a friendly and enthusiastic leader. He planned a varied programme of walks, ensuring every day was different. He had the difficulty of having to deal with a wide range of walking abilities. He coped reasonably well with this, but at times a second leader would have been useful, as this would have enabled the group to split. Merv was not always quick enough to provide reassurance when members of the group needed it.
I would also like to mention Simon, who cooked all of the meals at the chalet. His cooking was excellent and I was particularly impressed by the way he cooked separate meals for those with special requirements (I'm a vegetarian). Nothing was too much trouble for him. The packed lunches that he prepared for us were substantial and delicious; just what was needed when out in the mountains.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Read the trip notes carefully. The walks in this trip are fairly challenging and you need to be able to cope with some significant ascents. This is a mountainous area after all!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The accommodation, although very pleasantly situated, has some deficiencies. Most of these are mentioned in the trip notes, for example the shared facilities. There was also a problem with the heating when we were there. The rooms were warm, but the radiators didn't come on, making it very difficult to dry clothes. As already mentioned in another review, the porch area is inadequate. Walking boots left there overnight did not dry out properly and there wasn't sufficient space to hang outdoor gear. The bedrooms themselves varied, but mine was very small with insufficient storage space (just a small chest of drawers). This was particularly difficult given that there were two of us sharing.
Nicholas Sarkies

PYRENEES WINTER WALK AND SNOWSHOE

Written March 2010
Very well organised expeditions each day tailored to the group's abilities and the prevailing conditions: excellent, nourishing food suiting all tastes.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Glorious ridge walk in fresh snow, surrounded by jagged peaks in bright sunshine
What did you think of your group leader?
Merv is a very experienced, knowledgeable, kind and encouraging group leader.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you haven't done this before, go for it!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't expect 5 star luxury, but the food compensates and the views are magnificent.