New Year's Eve: Snowshoeing and an overnight stay in an igloo in the Ecrins mountains
In summary
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Sports
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Duration2 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationThe Grave / Écrins Massif
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions4.78 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Celebrate the arrival of the new year with an exceptional winter micro-adventure in the heart of the Écrins massif .
Starting from Le Chazelet , put on your snowshoes and head to a high-altitude, snow-covered bivouac, set up facing the imposing Meije mountain . Accessible to all, the ascent includes an essential introduction to mountain safety . Once there, participate in building your own igloo , a true haven of peace for the night.
As evening falls, the festivities begin with a convivial New Year's Eve dinner under the starry sky. Local and festive cuisine takes center stage: wild salmon , foie gras , scallops , flambéed prawns , regional cheeses , and champagne .
In the early morning, witness the very first sunrise of the new year illuminating the majestic peaks. After a hearty breakfast and packing up camp, you'll begin a gentle descent to conclude this unique mountain immersion.
Between accessible challenges , conviviality and magnificent panoramas , this stay offers an unforgettable experience to start the year differently.
The highlights
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Spend New Year's Eve in an igloo facing the Meije
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Celebrate the New Year with a dinner in the snow
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Admire the first sunrise of the year over the Écrins
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
This trip is for you if:
- Level & Effort: Prior snowshoeing experience is a plus, but the trip remains accessible to beginners . You can expect 1 to 2 hours of actual walking (for a total outing of 3 hours including breaks), with a maximum elevation gain of 200m to 300m .
- Environment: You are ready to operate in a mid-mountain winter environment, facing cold, wind and temperature variations.
- Carrying & Overnight: you can carry your bag in semi-autonomy (daytime belongings and equipment for the night) and you accept the very rudimentary comfort of a night in an igloo or in a Samaya 4-season tent if the snow is insufficient (limited space, coolness).
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average distance/day: 7 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 500 m
- Average daily descent: 300 m
Management
French
English
You will be supervised by a qualified and experienced mid-mountain guide.
Program
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Day 1
- Activity Snowshoes
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 1:30 pm at the Bar Le Belvédère in Ventelon, La Grave, before traveling to Le Chazelet by vehicle. After a briefing with the guide, you'll collect your snowshoes, poles, and avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, and probe). The necessary equipment for the night will also be distributed, while the team will carry the group equipment to lighten your packs. After your personal picnic lunch, you'll set off on snowshoes through the forests and snow-covered areas to the bivouac site, with a view of La Meije. There, you'll participate in setting up your igloo and learn about winter bivouac organization. At the end of the day, enjoy a New Year's Eve dinner prepared together in the snow, before toasting the New Year under the stars and then retiring to your igloo for the night!
Day 1 -
Day 2
- Activity Snowshoes
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
To start the year in the mountains, early risers can witness the sunrise over the icy peaks of La Meije. For others, the wake-up call will be leisurely around 8:00 a.m. After breakfast, served between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., everyone helps pack up the bivouac and prepares their packs with the guides' assistance. The descent to the valley is made on snowshoes, along an easy route that alternates between wooded sections and open spaces. The trip ends in the village or at the meeting point in the late morning or early afternoon.
Day 2
Accommodation
You will sleep in an igloo or winter tent (if there is a lack of snow) provided by us.
Access
We'll meet at 1:30 pm in La Grave, in front of the "Le Belvédère" bar.
Go to the starting point
- By bus (LER/ZOU! network - lines 55/35/LER 35): Regional buses run directly from Grenoble or Briançon train stations to the village of La Grave (stop: La Grave - Tourist Office or Cable Car ). The journey takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Grenoble or 45 minutes from Briançon (tickets cost approximately €10 to €15 ).
- By taxi / private hire vehicle: The taxi journey takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Grenoble train station (estimated fare between €150 and €200 ) or 40 minutes from Briançon train station (estimated fare between €80 and €110 ).
If you do not have a car, please note that we encourage carpooling between participants by creating a whatsapp group 15 days before departure: An opportunity to get to know each other before even starting your expedition.
Price details
The price includes
- The stay will be supervised by a qualified guide.
- Accommodation for one night in an igloo or winter tent
- Equipment rental: snowshoes, poles and pulka
- The safety kit: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
- Sleeping bag, mattress, tarp: everything you need for a good night's sleep
- The New Year's Eve festive meal with salmon, scallops, prawns, wine and champagne
- Breakfast on Day 2
- A welcome drink during the briefing
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to the meeting point
- A sleeping bag liner to put inside your sleeping bag
- Day 1 picnic
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
