Snowshoe Walking Weekend Holidays

snowshoe walking Walking in the Aravis Mountains is not just a summer activity. During the winter the mountains are an ideal place for a snowshoe walking holiday, both for keen walkers and non-skiers looking for something to occupy them whilst their partner or friend skis. Snow shoes, or 'raquettes' as they call them in France, give you an increased surface area as you walk, allowing you the freedom to walk 'off-piste' across wild mountain terrain otherwise unobtainable to winter walkers due to the depth of snow. During winter we are able to offer midweek snowshoe packages as well as weekends, to fit with our standard skiing breaks also running through winter.

When you first start snow-shoe walking it takes a while to get used to the technique needed and learn when best to use the snow shoe features such as the built in crampons and heel lift mechanism. The best place to start snowshoeing is on the Beauregard Plateau which offers many gentle walks with rolling undulations rather than the steep ascents and descents often found elsewhere. The views up there are fantastic, looking over to Mont Blanc one way and the Jura mountains the other. There are also several lovely cafes and restaurants on the Plateau ideal for lunch or a coffee break from your snowshoeing.

As you get better at snow shoe walking you may like to take on more advanced snowshoeing routes, such as Danay, the peak behind the Aravis Lodge which has fantastic 360 degree views of the whole area from the summit - great for orientation! This walk takes you down into Lac de Confins at the far end of La Clusaz, a pretty hamlet well known for it's cross country skiing, ideal to watch from one of the café bars there.

snowshoeing weekends For guests who have had a lot of experience in snow shoeing, the Mont La Chat peak is a challenging winter walk taking you to a height of 2000 metres. The walk is difficult but worth it, as the 1000metre climb takes you through the trees and out on to the snow covered rocky scree slopes associated with high mountain walking. The views from the top are fabulous, looking out over Annecy and Geneva.

Regardless of your experience of snow-shoe walking you'll enjoy exploring the Aravis on foot. We can rent you a pair of snowshoes as well lend you maps, and advise you of the best walks for your level of ability. If you would like to hire a guide to show you the area we can organise this for you if you let us know in advance. There are also regular snowshoe walks organized by the St Jean tourist office which you could join.

Snow-shoe walks are ideal for walking clubs and groups who are generally delighted to have discovered this new sport allowing them such large potential for exploration in the mountains in winter. If you do come with a group it could be that you may be split between walkers and skiers. For groups such as this you can join our standard Ski Weekender winter holidays which are available for both midweek and weekends throughout the winter season. Visit our Ski Weekender website to see how we can help your mixed group of skiers and walkers.

See here for prices and availability or email us for more information