Pyrenees / Pyrénées-Orientales

Winter survival and safety course in the Pyrénées-Orientales

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Winter survival and safety course in the Pyrénées-Orientales

In summary

Sports

Bushcraft , Snowshoeing
Duration
2 days
Level
Intermediate

Levels

Bushcraft

Snowshoeing

Beginner

For those wishing to discover the activity. You are in good general health; there are no specific athletic prerequisites. You must be able to walk a few kilometers a day while carrying your pack and to bivouac in the wild without modern comforts.

Intermediate

For those well-versed in outdoor activities: you wish to learn basic survival skills such as fire-starting, building simple shelters, and foraging for food and water. You are capable of hiking for several hours at a stretch and possess the resilience and adaptability to bivouac in the wild without modern comforts.

Confirmed

For those with prior experience in trekking, hiking, or bushcraft/survival training. You wish to refine your skills in fire-making, shelter-building, and navigation, while exploring methods for mental and physical resilience. You adapt to diverse environments by bivouacking in the wild—both in France and abroad—facing conditions ranging from extreme cold to heat.

Advanced

For those with prior survival experience who are looking for a new challenge. You aim to develop advanced skills such as tool making, navigating difficult terrain, and pushing your limits over several days. Excellent physical fitness, a strong mindset, good social skills, and great endurance are recommended.

Expert

For survival enthusiasts. You have extensive outdoor experience and a passion for life in the wilderness. Excellent physical condition (a stress test is required) is essential to fully enjoy the activities offered at this level.

Beginner

For those wishing to walk for 3 to 4 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, or trails, or across rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.

Intermediate

For those who wish to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of approximately 300 to 500 meters on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.

Confirmed

For those wishing to hike for approximately 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 500 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in sports activities 1 to 2 times a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.

Advanced

For those wishing to undertake multi-day hikes involving over 6 hours of walking and 1,000 meters of elevation gain, off-trail or on rugged terrain. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in endurance sports 2 to 3 times a week, hike regularly, and are in excellent physical condition.

Expert

For those who want to hike intensely for 7 to 8 hours a day with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain off-trail or on rough terrain. High-altitude sections. You have been practicing high-intensity endurance sports several times a week for several years.
Destination
Pyrenees / Pyrénées-Orientales
Age
From 16 - 65 years
CO₂-Emissions
13.99 kg CO2
Type of stay

This group trip is perfect for travelers who want to experience a sporting adventure with other enthusiasts and be guided.

Type of stay
In a group
Languages

French

In a few words

Do you want to learn survival and progression techniques in snowy conditions ? Then this bushcraft/winter survival course, in extreme cold, is for you! We'll head to Pla Guillem, a vast, isolated high plateau located in the heart of the Canigou massif in the Pyrénées-Orientales. These seemingly endless ridges and valleys provide the ideal playground for snowshoeing and learning survival and progression techniques in winter conditions. You'll enjoy an unforgettable outdoor experience and moments of sharing, camaraderie, and learning within a small group.

The highlights

Training course focused on safety and the dangers of winter mountain activities
An isolated playing field, far from civilization, for a truly realistic simulation.
An atmosphere that is studious, relaxed, but also friendly.

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Sport

Level

Bushcraft

Intermediate

For those well-versed in outdoor activities: you wish to learn basic survival skills such as fire-starting, building simple shelters, and foraging for food and water. You are capable of hiking for several hours at a stretch and possess the resilience and adaptability to bivouac in the wild without modern comforts.

The expert's opinion

This course is adaptable to the skill level of the participants. The terrain is hilly with some short sections of steep slopes. The elevation gain is between 500 and 800 meters on day 2. Training modules are included between each day's progression. There are no technical, rocky, or exposed sections.

In figures

Snowshoes

Average duration/day: 7h
Average distance/day: 5 km
Average daily elevation gain: 300 m
Average daily descent: 275 m

Management

During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.

Band : 1 supervisor for 4 to 10 people

Languages spoken:

French

Philippe

As a mountain and canyoning guide, I have 43 years of experience leading groups in diverse environments, including rivers, mountains, and deserts. I am a certified Rescue 3 Whitewater Rescue Technician - Professional (WRT Pro). I also manage a professional training center for sports-related professions, where I also teach outdoor activities.

An experienced trainer/supervisor is present throughout the entire internship to pass on knowledge and teach techniques.

Learn more about supervision

Program

Day 1

Day 2

Welcome and start of the "survival in a snowy environment" training course
- Activity Bushcraft
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 450 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Participants are welcomed to Amélie les Bains at our partner's outdoor base. Equipment check-in and distribution will take place over a friendly coffee break.
Departure by 4x4 for the Canigou massif, located in the heights of the valley.
Departure for the snowshoe hike and start of the "snow and cold survival" training, as the journey progresses.
The training is quite substantial and covers 14 topics over the two days, such as:
Construction of snow shelters according to the terrain, the situation and the thickness of the snowpack.
Fundamentals of the snowpack and risks of avalanches or other winter hazards
Use of avalanche transceiver (DVA) device
Progression in snowy conditions
Progression and passage of steep slopes using rope techniques
Knowledge about cold and its consequences
Fire techniques
Concepts of first aid and self-rescue
Orientation, mapping
Planning and conducting a winter hike using a decision support tool (Météo Risk)
...
Day 1
Second day of training
- Transportation Car - 01h15 - 30km
- Activity Bushcraft
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 150 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Early wake-up and hot breakfast. Briefing and everyone's impressions of the night in the snow shelter/igloo.
Dismantling of the camp and restoration.
Today's program includes: an exercise in searching for victims buried under an avalanche using avalanche transceivers, extraction techniques, triggering the alert to the relevant rescue services, and procedures to follow while waiting for the arrival of rescuers.
Progression on snowshoes towards the starting point using map and compass orientation, and continuation of the training.
The training ended around 4pm, followed by a debriefing and feedback from participants. Return to the valley by 4x4 vehicle.
Day 2

Note

The program and initial itinerary will be subject to weather conditions. We will adapt the course accordingly, while maintaining the training content. Slightly adverse conditions may be used by your instructors to simulate real-world scenarios.

Accommodation

⛺️ Bivouac / Tent - Day 1

You build your own snow shelter as a team.

Access

Departure

Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda, France

Day 1 : 08h30

End of stay

Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda, France

Day 2 - 17h00

The A7 motorway exit at Le Boulou is located 15 km from the meeting point.

Go to the starting point

Access by train

Take the train toPerpignan

We can pick you up from Perpignan SNCF train station the day before your stay begins.

Access by plane

The nearest airport isPerpignan

Access by car

Travel to the place of stay with parking available

Private parking at our adventure base in Amélie-les-Bains

Would you like to travel on other dates?

Create an alert and we'll notify you by email if new departures are added.

Price details

The price includes

"Survival/snow/cold" training provided by one or two experienced instructors, depending on the group size.
All the technical and educational materials necessary for the smooth running of the internship
A hot dinner (soup, main course, dessert) prepared together. We are self-sufficient in terms of food, without restrictions.
A breakfast
The organization of the stay and the prior reconnaissance of the condition and state of the training sites
Return transport by 4x4, from the meeting point to the activity location

The price does not include

Transportation from your home to the meeting point
Personal expenses (very rare in the middle of the mountains)

Options

Flex fare and insurance

Practical information

Specific formalities

Specifics

Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).

In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.

ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.

Equipment

Equipment to bring

Backpack with a capacity of 50/60 L
1L thermos or insulated water bottle
Headlamp
1 folding pocket knife
Personal pharmacy

Clothing to bring

Winter hiking pants
Warm socks made of synthetic fibers
Cap
gloves
fleece jacket
Gore-Tex technical mountain jacket
long-sleeved underwear
Gore-Tex hiking shoes
Gaiters (optional)

Decathlon Travel Partner

Our partner team

• 4 stays

Established in the heart of the Pyrenees since 1983, our partner guide agency has maintained its intimate atmosphere while cultivating recognized expertise in the field. The agency distinguishes itself through a handcrafted approach to travel, where each itinerary is the result of decades of exploration. Drawing on their mountain roots, the tour guides have naturally extended their expertise to other distinctive regions, developing a specialized focus on mainland Spain, the Canary Islands, and Madeira.

Discover their team and their trips

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