Guided Snowshoeing Holiday In The Alps
Guided Snowshoeing Holiday In The Alps
Guided Snowshoeing Holiday In The Alps
8 Days Starting and ending in Gap
Visiting: La Grange Des Ecrins, La Coche, Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes, Le Palastre, Prapic, Le Piolit
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SNOWSHOE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 15
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
English , FrenchTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Activities:
Private Available:
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Tour Overview
Discover the Southern French Alps on a Memorable Snowshoeing Adventure Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Southern French Alps on a unique snowshoeing trip. Set in the heart of the Champsaur valley, this one-base adventure combines thrilling daytime snowshoe walks with evenings spent at a charming farmhouse, where gourmet cuisine awaits. Led by qualified UIAGM High Mountains Guides, you’ll explore off-the-beaten-path alpine trails, encountering diverse wildlife, including chamois, ibex, and golden eagles in Ecrins National Park. The trip features a variety of snowshoe routes, from serene forests to stunning summits, with 4 to 6 hours of walking each day. Your accommodation is an authentic luxury farmhouse, renowned for its delightful fusion of traditional Alpine recipes and Taiwanese flavors, crafted by local hosts Jean and Meg. After a day of snowshoeing, relax in the cozy lounge or bar area. Ideal for regular walkers, this trip requires no prior experience, just a moderate fitness level. Enjoy the serenity of winter in the Alps and indulge in unforgettable culinary experiences. For additional excitement, consider optional activities like ice climbing or husky dog sledding!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival
Location: La Grange Des Ecrins
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Luxury Farmhouse Guest House
Meals Included: Dinner
We will pick you up from Gap train station at 17H and take you to your luxury farmhouse accommodation, just in time for an aperitif and dinner!
Please ensure your travel plans align with this schedule. If you arrive earlier or the day before, Gap is a charming town, perfect for exploring and soaking in its beauty.
Day 2 : Plateau Of La Coche
Location: La Coche
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Luxury Farmhouse Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Embark on a full-day snowshoeing adventure up to the stunning plateau of La Coche, offering breathtaking views over two valleys.
The Champoleon valley is a serene winter wonderland, home to wildlife like chamois and ibex. Surrounded by towering 3,000-meter peaks, the valley features a meandering river, quaint alpine villages, and rugged cliffs. You'll begin your journey from here, making your way through the peaceful woods to reach the plateau.
Upon arrival, you'll be rewarded with panoramic vistas of both the Champoleon and Champsaur valleys. Take your time exploring the vast snow-covered meadows before heading back down. This gentle excursion is the perfect way to ease into your week, get comfortable with snowshoes, and warm up your legs. Along the way, your guide will also share essential winter mountain safety tips!
Day 3 : Through The Larches In St Leger Les Melezes
Location: Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Luxury Farmhouse Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a full-day snowshoe walk through a serene forest, offering stunning views over the valley.
Nestled halfway up the mountain, the charming ski village of St Leger Les Melezes sits within a picturesque larch forest (called "mélèzes" in French). A network of trails weaves across the mountainside, revealing breathtaking views of the Champsaur valley and the towering Vieux Chaillol, the highest peak in the area. As you ascend through the forest, you'll reach a spectacular ridge with the option to snowshoe all the way to the summit.
This walk can be as challenging or as leisurely as you prefer. You can choose to follow steep paths to the top of La Cuchon or opt for gentler routes through the forest—the choice is yours on the day!
Day 4 : Summit Of La Palastre
Location: Le Palastre
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Luxury Farmhouse Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full-Day Snowshoe Adventure with Picnic at the Col (6–7 hours)
This is a truly rewarding day out, taking you up to the summit of La Palastre at 2,278m. The ascent is gradual, passing through open snowfields and rocky outcrops, with breathtaking views over the Champsaur valley—climbing around 720m in total.
Along the way, you’ll encounter ice falls, tranquil woodlands, unique rock formations, and spectacular vistas. There will be plenty of chances to pause, admire the scenery, track wildlife, and take photos.
At the col, you’ll enjoy a well-earned picnic lunch in the sun before continuing up to the summit, where you'll get that true "top of the world" feeling. The descent is pure fun—slide, run, or jump your way down the mountain, with the soft snow making it a playful and forgiving adventure. A fantastic day in the mountains!
Day 5 : Rest / Choice Day
Location: La Grange Des Ecrins
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Luxury Farmhouse Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
There’s no shortage of things to do in the area, whether you spend the day ice climbing or unwinding at the pool and jacuzzi complex. You can choose to relax and let your legs recover, enjoying the stunning views from your accommodation, or try something entirely new like ice climbing, husky dog sledding, or cross-country skiing. If you prefer to keep snowshoeing, there are several self-guided snowshoe routes nearby to explore.
The choice is yours, and we can discuss the options available when you're here.
Please note that any activities or ski passes for this day are not included in the price and will be payable as an extra—either when booking in advance if you know what you’d like to do, or locally when you arrive.
Day 6 : Remote Alpine Village Of Prapic
Location: Prapic
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Luxury Farmhouse Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day snowshoe through a classic alpine village and in to the Ecrins National Park.
This snowshoe journey begins in Prapic, a charming and historic farming village, still home to about four families year-round. With its traditional alpine architecture and picturesque layout, it’s a beautiful spot to explore. From there, you'll venture into the Écrins National Park, walking through a stunning U-shaped valley.
You’ll have options on where to go—either up to a plateau or along the river—both offering breathtaking scenery. At the top of the valley lies the Saut du Laire waterfall, often frozen in winter, with a fascinating folk tale behind its name, meaning "jump of the thief," which your guide will be happy to share!
On the return, you'll pass by a quaint little chapel, a solitary reminder of the valley’s rich religious heritage, surrounded by the peaceful winter landscape.
There’s no better way to savor the tranquility of the high mountains than on snowshoes, where you can enjoy the stillness of the Alps at night, gaze at the stars, and even spot the man on the moon!
Day 7 : The Summit Of La Piolit
Location: Le Piolit
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Luxury Farmhouse Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day snowshoe with picnic on the summit (6 - 7 hrs)
This is a challenging but highly rewarding journey to the summit of La Piolit at 2,484m. The adventure begins in the scenic Rouanne valley near Ancelle, where you’ll follow a gentle path before starting a climb midway, zig-zagging through a beautiful mixed forest with views of the dramatic cliff face of Le Lauterat across the valley.
As the forest thins, you’ll step out onto expansive snowfields, surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views. There are several routes to the summit, with the most popular being the ascent to Col de la Pourachère at 2,173m. This is an ideal picnic spot and also a perfect resting point for those who prefer not to continue to the top.
From the col, you can relax in the sunshine, taking in the stunning views over the Gapencais and Champsaur valleys. For those who reach the summit, you’ll also be treated to a spectacular view of Lac du Serre-Ponçon, Europe’s largest dammed lake, in its winter glory!
The descent is pure fun—slide, run, jump, and enjoy the playful freedom of snowshoeing downhill, with the forgiving snow adding to the experience!
Day 8 : Return Home
Location: La Grange Des Ecrins
It's the day we have to say goodbye :( but hopefully it’s more of an à bientôt!
We’ll drop you off at Gap train station by 8:30 am. If you need a transfer at a different time, it will be at your own expense.
If you're a fan of markets and can catch a later bus or train, it's worth sticking around—Gap hosts a fantastic market on Saturday mornings!
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights at the luxury farmhouse accommodation
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Fully Guided
5 full days guided snowshoeing with qualified UIAGM high mountain guide
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Meals
7 evening meals 7 breakfasts 5 picnic lunches
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Transport
Transport to and from snowshoeing round-trip transfers to and from Gap train station.
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Sustainability
A tree planted on your behalf to help with your carbon offsetting
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Equipment
Snowshoes and poles
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A personalised App
A personalised App for your phone with all your trip details and practical information
What's Not Included
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Additional Services
Drinks / spending money Lunch on your free day
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Getting to Gap (we can help you organise your journey here)
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Insurance
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International Travel
Accommodation
You will be staying in the Luxury Farmhouse Guest House for this trip. It is a beautifully renovated traditional stone farmhouse with excellent food !
Mode of Transport
Your guide will pick you up every morning in a modern mini-bus and drive you to the different snowshoeing places before driving you back to the luxury farm house !
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes the guides are local French guides who speak English.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Yes the wifi is free in the accommodation!
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
If a group does not meet the minimum required number of passengers, they have several options: they can either pay a supplement to cover the costs to ensure the trip still takes place, opt for an alternative itinerary (ie with less guided days), reschedule their trip to a later date with another booking, or receive a full refund.
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What is the maximum group size?
It's for maximum 16 people but we would have two guides for larger group sizes of 8 or more people.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
We achieved Travelife certification in July 2023
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will give you a smartphone app with your itinerary, all your travel documents, weather and everything else you might need for your holiday.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Sally Guillaume has been operating Undiscovered Mountains, previously under the brand name Undiscovered Alps, since 2005.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes, we vet all our accommodation to make sure they meet local health and safety requirements and offer quality and value for money with friendly welcome.
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Jan 25, 2025 - Feb 01, 2025Saturday - Saturday
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Low Deposit
Undiscovered Mountains requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of undiscovered mountains charges.
Up to 43 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 16 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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