In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration7 days
-
LevelBeginner
-
DestinationNévache / Écrins Massif
-
AgeFrom the age of 18
-
CO₂-Emissions84.15 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages
French
In a few words
As its name suggests, this trip is a true "cocktail" of winter activities! Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding —you'll discover activities in a snow-covered valley from December to April, bathed in the sunshine of the Hautes-Alpes : the Clarée Valley, in Névache. Far from the hustle and bustle of the larger resorts , you'll appreciate the silence that reigns in the valley, with the only sounds being the babbling of the Clarée River, the crunch of your cross-country skis gliding on the snow, the song of the tits, and the howls of the sled dogs.
You'll have plenty of time to master cross-country skiing with patient instructors who will share their tips and tricks to help you glide, turn, and brake quickly. Before long, you'll be enjoying the thrill of skiing ! On snowshoes, you'll venture out in search of the animals that inhabit the valley : the snowshoe hare, the wild boar, the roe deer, and perhaps even the wolf. You'll head up into the high pastures, towards the mountain huts, and catch glimpses of the Écrins and Vanoise mountain ranges in the distance. Children and adults alike will be delighted when it's time to pet the dogs! You 'll be in charge of your dog team, but beware, the dogs are clever! They'll quickly let you push the sled and enjoy themselves. Children aged 12 and up can drive the sled.
Children will also be able to participate in several activities during school holidays only
The highlights
-
Choice of activities for parents
-
ESF lessons for children up to 12 years old
-
Dog sledding activities
Photos
Sport
Level
Winter multi-activity
The expert's opinion
Our team of instructors offers several "snow" activities to freely compose your stay: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or dog sledding, tobogganing, snowman building.
Each evening the instructors will offer various activities for which you can sign up. You can all try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and a dog sledding introductory session.
If one of you only wants to do one activity during the whole week, you can do so, except for carriage driving (only one session).
In figures
Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Average duration/day: 4h30
Dog sledding ride
- Average duration/day: 1h
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 6h
Management
MANAGEMENT
By cross-country ski instructors or mountain guides, all state-certified.
Program
-
Hotel check-in and reception
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Arrival at L'Échaillon in the afternoon. Before dinner, we offer a welcome drink to introduce you to our house and its various services. Around 7:30 pm, there will be an information session with the instructors about the organization of your week's activities.
Day 1 -
Half-day activities with lunch at the hotel
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Activity Dog sledding ride
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Choose from two half-day activities in the Névache Nordic area. But if you are a beginner in cross-country skiing, the instructors advise you to start with this activity.
Day 2 -
Activity selection
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Activities of your choice over 2 half-days in the Nordic area of Névache.
Possibility of a day trip on snowshoes.
Day 3 -
Morning activity and afternoon rest
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Half-day activity: cross-country skiing: technical lesson (possibility of skating); snowshoeing: walk. Half-day of relaxation in the afternoon.
Children can attend ski school in the afternoon (at an additional cost).
Day 4 -
Day hikes
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 6h per day
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h per day
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Day hikes to discover the magnificent site of the Upper Clarée Valley and its summer chalets buried under the snow, the very beautiful cirque of the Col de l'Échelle, or to enjoy the area marked out down to Lower Clarée.
Days 5 to 6 -
End of stay
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
End of stay after breakfast.
Day 7
Note
The dog sledding activity will take place on one of the first 2 days, morning or afternoon depending on the availability of the musher and the dogs.
Accommodation
Located in the hamlet of Roubion, at the entrance to Névache, the hotel welcomes hikers, visitors, and vacationers alike, offering a refined mountain style with comfort and light . Close to the cross-country ski trails and just steps from the Clarée River, with its clear, pristine waters, the setting invites contemplative relaxation . In high season, the shuttle bus to the valley is only a 3-minute walk from the hotel. Guests can enjoy the hotel bar, its lounge area with a fireplace, and two outdoor terraces, one facing south and the other east. The hotel also offers a wellness area where you can unwind after a busy day! A drying room for wet or damp shoes and clothing is available on the garden level, with immediate access upon returning from activities. The meals, prepared by our chef using local produce, are carefully prepared and tailored to athletes… our fresh mountain air whets the appetite and encourages you to savor the food!
Access
WELCOME
Day 01 in Névache in the afternoon, at Échaillon, in the hamlet of Roubion .
You can arrive in the morning and leave your luggage at the hotel if you want to make the most of your first day.
If you have any problems, you can call 04 92 21 37 30
DISPERSION
On day 7 , at the same location in Névache, after breakfast, check-out is at 10:00 AM. Snowshoeing or skiing is possible but unsupervised. Picnic lunches are available (supplement of €14 per person), and you can stay until the shuttle departs for the night train.
However, we absolutely require you to vacate the rooms by 10am.
Go to the starting point
From Paris, you have several options:
- Either arriving on the Italian side via the TGV PARIS-OULX
- From this station you will need to take a direct bus to Briançon. Purchase of required tickets 48 hours in advance of your trip on the SNCF website.
Either Paris / Grenoble + bus Grenoble / Briançon line 55 ZOU, bookable on the website www.autocars-resalp.com
Either arriving directly from Paris/Briançon , by night train or daytime trains:
- From Marseille or Valence, there are direct TER trains to Briançon.
You can drive to the hotel, where there is a large parking lot. We'll keep this description brief, given that in this modern age, GPS is standard equipment in our cars and on our phones.
From the south, you go up the Durance valley to reach Briançon.
From the north and west, you can, like cyclists, take the Lautaret Pass and its spectacular views, or choose the comfort (and the price) of crossing into Italy via the Fréjus Tunnel, a road version of the ambitious railway project of the mid-18th century. Consider carpooling!
Price details
The price includes
- Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7
- The tourist tax
- 4.5 days of instruction including 1 introductory session to driving a horse-drawn carriage
- Loan of ski or snowshoe equipment
- Local transport for activities.
- 2 access points to the Wellness Area
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to Névache
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Massages or treatments
- Cross-country skiing pass (from age 5 and payable on site)
- Wednesday afternoon activity at the ESF for children (optional, payable on site)
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 provided on site
- Ski
- Sticks
- Cross-country ski boots
- Snowshoes
Equipment to bring
- Toiletries (2 towels are provided at the hotel)
- Personal pharmacy
- Insulated water bottle
- An airtight container (like Tupperware) for picnic salads
- Earplugs if you are in a shared room
Clothing to bring
- A medium-sized backpack for day hikes, 30/35L recommended
- A warm and waterproof Gore-Tex type jacket
- Warm, loose-fitting, waterproof trousers
- Warm tights, warm hat
- Gaiters or stoppers (optional)
- Indoor shoes
- Après-ski boots or hiking boots are preferable for snowshoeing.
- Swimsuit and bath towel for the wellness area
They traveled with us
They traveled with us
Maud
- 45 ans
100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.
february 2024
In family
Stéphanie
100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.
february 2024
In family
The L'Echaillon team
We are sorry to hear that.
Help us improve this page. Tell us what information you would have liked to see.
Have a question about this trip?
Select the type of request, and we will get back to you shortly.
- Valid for a first booking on our site, with no minimum purchase required.
- Can be combined with any other current promotion.
- Not valid on air transport, carbon offsetting and insurance.
- All you need to do is subscribe to our newsletter.
- You will receive your promo code by email immediately after registering.
- ✅ A 100% identical offer: Same dates, same services, same sales conditions.
- ✅ A public and accessible price: The offer must be proposed by a French professional website, in euros.
- ❌ Flights and transport in your name: Airline or train tickets already issued in your name are not refundable under this guarantee.
- ❌ Specific named services: Certain personalized services (such as a special permit or a named registration for a race or accommodation) may be excluded.
- You pay a 30% deposit today to reserve your stay.
- The balance (the remaining 70%) must be paid no later than 30 days before departure.
- ✅ Of an amount greater than €300.
- ✅ Whose departure is in more than 30 days.