Snowshoeing
3 days of snowshoeing in the heart of Beaufortain
Technical lev. : 3 / 5
Sports course
Effort corresponding to around 600 - 800 m of ascent by snowshoe per day.
Perfect if you like endurance sports and do them regularly, about once or twice a week!
Physical lev. : 2.5 / 5
Confirmed Mountain Hiking
Mountain trekking for experienced hikers with mountain skills.
You'll learn about the weather and have mapping experience, and the guide can help you pick up a map to learn how to manage an itinerary if you wish!
This trip will take us through the rolling terrain of the Beaufortain, ideal for winter hiking with snowshoes. “Country of a thousand chalets” or ‘Little Switzerland’ are just some of the many epithets that have been attributed to it, and once we've passed through its splendid landscapes we'll understand that the Beaufortain is aptly named.
. Discovering the Beaufortain massif
. Comfort in the Nant du Beurre mountain refuge
. Promoting the local economy and regional products
. Small groups of 10 people max.
. Training in the use of safety equipment: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
Dates & Prices
Arrival
End
Price *
Status
Du 27/12/2024 au 29/12/2024
au 29/12/2024
495 €
CLOSED
Du 21/01/2025 au 23/01/2025
au 23/01/2025
495 €
Bookings in progress
Du 10/02/2025 au 12/02/2025
au 12/02/2025
495 €
Bookings in progress
Du 03/03/2025 au 05/03/2025
au 05/03/2025
495 €
Bookings in progress
* Price per person (without insurance)
Trip
This 3-day trip to the south of the Beaufortain massif will allow us to explore the mellow relief of this part of the massif, which is ideally suited to winter hiking with snowshoes. “Country of a thousand chalets” or ‘Little Switzerland’ are just some of the many epithets that have been attributed to it, and once we've passed through its splendid landscapes we'll understand that the Beaufortain is aptly named.
Program
Important: The day-by-day itinerary may be modified by the guide according to the conditions encountered in the field. This program has been designed with maximum flexibility in mind, allowing the guide to choose itineraries according to weather and snow conditions. This approach guarantees optimum safety management throughout your mountain adventure.
Elevation gain : + 750 m
Duration : 4 to 6 hours
Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Grand Naves parking lot to meet your guide.
After a short briefing and equipment check, we'll head up to the refuge. We'll start in the forest to discover the open countryside around the refuge. The Quermoz summit and the Dzonfié peak will accompany us all day. We'll have a picnic along the way and arrive at the refuge in the afternoon.
Elevation gain: + 500 m / - 500 m
Duration : 4 to 6 hours
After a good breakfast, we'll set off to discover the magic of the Beaufortain and its landscapes, ideal for winter discoveries. We'll plan our itinerary as efficiently as possible and head for the Grand Crétet, where we'll enjoy an emblematic view of the region. We'll have a picnic lunch along the way, before slowly making our way back to the Nant du Beurre refuge, where we'll spend a second night.
Elevation gain : + 200 m / - 950 m
Duration : 4 hours
For our third day together, we'll be heading for Lac de la Thuile. Although we'll only be able to catch a glimpse of it under the snow, the scenery and the ridge that stretches up to Roc Marchand will allow us to make our way up to the summit.
Materiel
Training in the use of safety equipment will be provided by the mountain leader guide during the trip.
If possible, take a lightweight rucksack with good carrying capacity, not exceeding 1.5 kilos.
Your rucksack should have 5 to 10 liters of space for the food you'll be carrying for lunch and sometimes the next day, which the refuges will give you.
Your guide will have a more comprehensive first-aid kit in case of a major accident.
Weight is the hiker's enemy, but a frozen or soaked hiker is a hiker without pleasure!
So take the time to prepare your rucksack well and weigh it before setting off, to check that without water or food your bag is 6 to 7 KG, but no more!
IMPORTANT: if a person is not properly equipped and dressed, the mountain guide may decide not to allow them to take part in the climb. Please read the equipment list in the PDF program carefully, and call us if you have any doubts.
Level
Sporty course
Effort corresponding to around 600 - 800 m of ascent per day on snowshoes.
Perfect if you like endurance sports and do them regularly, about once or twice a week!
Confirmed Mountain Hiking
Mountain trekking for experienced hikers with mountain skills.
You'll learn about the weather and have mapping experience, and the guide can help you pick up a map to learn how to manage a route if you wish!
Useful infos
Our guide will give you the necessary equipment and brief you on the trip.
For those who need to arrive the night before or stay an extra night in Pralognan, here's some advice on where to stay:
Nights in mountain huts.
Don't forget to bring cash to pay for wood or other items at the refuge and a light meat bag for the night.
The group will be dispersed early Sunday afternoon. We'll share a hot drink and a pie before going our separate ways.
Cancellation and repatriation insurance is mandatory, as is mountain search and rescue insurance (minimum cover of 10,000 Euros).
Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https://www.assurance-multi-sports.com.
When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to take part in the car-sharing scheme to get to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your booking, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of the other participants who are interested in car-sharing, so that you can contact them directly.
. Supervision by a state-qualified mountain leader from our team for the trek.
. Nights in a Refuge on a 1/2-board basis, as described in the program.
. Picnics on DAY 2 and 3
. Snowshoes and walking sticks if you don't have them .
. Safety equipment: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
. Cancellation/interruption of stay/loss of luggage insurance and emergency assistance
. Picnic lunch on DAY 1
. Drinks and personal expenses
. Extra nights not included in program
. Gratuities
. Anything not mentioned in the “Price includes” section.
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Snowshoeing technique differs slightly from classic hiking. Spread your legs slightly to prevent the snowshoes from colliding. Raise your feet more, especially in deep snow.
When going uphill, use the wedges on your snowshoes for better grip. Plant your trekking poles firmly in front of you to propel yourself.
For descents, bend your knees and keep your weight on your heels. Take small, controlled steps to maintain your balance.
On traverses, dig the edge of the snowshoe into the slope to create a stable platform. Adapt your pace and take regular breaks to fully appreciate your winter surroundings.
Snowshoeing is an excellent way to discover the mountains in winter, enjoying snow-covered landscapes and peaceful surroundings. Here are some of the best places to enjoy this activity:
The Beaufortain region stands out for its unspoilt alpine landscapes, ideal for snowshoe trekking. Its vast expanses of immaculate snow invite you to explore, far off the beaten track. Hikers particularly appreciate the snowshoeing itineraries, the panoramic views towards the Vanoise National Park and the Mont Blanc massif, and the opportunity to discover wildlife.
Vercors : This massif in the northern Alps offers grandiose landscapes and a wilderness setting ideal for nature hikes. Many mountain guides visit this massif to observe the wildlife.
Parc national des Pyrénées: This park is packed with well-marked trails through snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and open plateaus.
The Jura offers soothing surroundings and accessible snowshoeing itineraries for beginners and experts alike. The Haut-Jura is particularly renowned for its wide-open spaces and fir forests. The Montagnes du Jura offer exceptional panoramic views of the Alps on fine winter days.
Snowshoeing is generally not difficult, but this depends on a number of factors, such as fitness, hiking experience and type of terrain.
Snowshoeing is accessible to almost everyone, even beginners. Unlike other winter sports such as skiing, snowshoeing requires no special technical skills. After a short adaptation period to learn how to walk with snowshoes, most people can enjoy it without much difficulty.
Snow conditions and weather can also influence difficulty. Walking in deep powder snow is more tiring than in hard or packed snow. What's more, very cold, windy or snowy conditions can make the experience more difficult and physically demanding.
It's often advisable to start on marked trails or to be accompanied by a guide. This allows you to concentrate on walking technique without having to worry about orientation or risks such as avalanches.
It's important to have the right hiking boots. For your comfort, choose a pair of warm shoes with good thermal insulation. A Gore-Tex membrane is essential if you want to prevent water from entering your boots and soaking your feet.
When you walk with snowshoes, it's the crampons on your snowshoes, not the crampons on your boots, that ensure grip on the snow. This criterion is therefore secondary, but it's important to bear in mind that, on a hike, you may have to walk without snowshoes if there's little snow. In this case, a good grip is crucial to avoid slipping and prevent injury.
Finally, don't forget that the use of trekking poles is practically mandatory to enjoy a safe, pleasant and serene snowshoe outing.
