Snowshoeing and Panoramic Views Abundance
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationThonon-les-Bains / Chablais Massif
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions82.65 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
In a few words
Discover the authentic charm of the Chablais massif , a preserved gem straddling France and Switzerland . Between the tranquil waters of Lake Geneva and the majestic Mont Blanc , this snowshoeing trip offers spectacular panoramas and wild trails, far from the crowds.
Each day is a new adventure, punctuated by the ascent of a panoramic mountain pass or an accessible summit . You will traverse forgotten valleys and snow-covered landscapes where nature reigns supreme, revealing breathtaking views at every turn.
After your hikes, you'll return to the warm comfort of a traditional family-run hotel nestled in the heart of the valley. This welcoming haven will be the ideal retreat to relax, savor generous local cuisine, and recharge your batteries.
Opt for an exceptional winter immersion , combining the spirit of the mountains, contrasting landscapes and a warm welcome for an unforgettable Nordic experience.
The highlights
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A wild area without ski lifts
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The Abondance Valley, renowned for its chalets and its cheese
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Long-distance hikes, with a summit or mountain pass as the objective each day!
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average distance/day: 8 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 637 m
- Average daily descent: 637 m
Management
Benoit, Jean Luc or François, Mountain Guides of the country, specialists in winter hiking.
Program
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Welcome and short hike
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Arrival at Thonon-les-Bains train station at 1:35 pm, transfer to the hotel to drop off luggage, then a first snowshoe hike to discover the Abondance valley: on the Boeufs.
Day 1 -
Crossing the Mémises ridges (1674 m).
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 650 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Starting from the Col de Creusaz, we skirt around Mont César on its south face and reach the Pas de l'Echelle, which provides access to the Mémises ridges. From this exceptional viewpoint, we can admire the Gavot plateau, 600 m below, Lake Geneva, and the Swiss mountains.
Day 2 -
Pointe d'Arden (1959 m).
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the heart of the Abondance valley , where a famous cheese is made, rise several peaks approaching 2000m in altitude. One of them is perfectly accessible on snowshoes.
High mountain atmosphere in a charming perched valley .
Then, turning around after putting the bag down at the summit, Mont Blanc appears in the Ardens Window.
Day 3 -
The Pas de la Bosse (1816 m).
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 720 m
- Negative elevation 720 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The chalets of Mens (1588 m) offer a beautiful view of the south face of the Cornettes de Bise (2432 m). We continue at a trot through the spectacular valley and cross to the Pas de la Bosse.
We are now in an area where ibex overwinter, we may have the chance to observe them in their natural habitat!
Day 4 -
The Planchamp d'Oche Pass (1996 m)
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 7 km
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Located between 2 prestigious peaks, the Dent d'Oche (2221 m) and the Roc du Château d'Oche (2197 m), this pass is an alpine objective in a particularly wild setting .
The cliffs overlooking it contribute to the atmosphere and it is not uncommon to see ibex there.
Day 5 -
The Mt de Grange reserve.
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 4 km
- Positive elevation gain 450 m
- Negative elevation 450 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
In the heart of this protected area, at the Jouly chalet, chamois reign supreme. This doesn't prevent us from observing the majestic flight of a golden eagle. Sometimes mouflon sheep make an appearance. All this wildlife within binocular range.
The stay ends after the hike.
Day 6
Note
SNOW COVER
We are primarily hikers, and even if there isn't enough snow, we will still run our trips. The winter atmosphere and light will be there, even if we can't use snowshoes.
The mountain is very different in winter, the colours are not the same as in summer, and the sun is lower on the horizon offering sunset lights throughout the day!
Accommodation
5 nights in a ** hotel, in double rooms with private bathroom and toilet, telephone, and TV. The hotel is located in the village of Vacheresse, facing the valley with a southwest exposure. The hotel has Wi-Fi.
Few single rooms available, individual registrations will be grouped into rooms of 2 or 3.
Access
Sunday at Thonon-les-Bains station (in front of the station) at 1:35 pm, or directly at the hotel at 2:00 pm. (the contact details will be given to you upon registration) in hiking gear.
Go to the starting point
Paris – Thonon-les-Bains: 09:11 – 13:31 (Via Bellegarde)
Lyon-Part-Dieu – Thonon-les-Bains: 10:38 am – 1:31 pm (via Bellegarde)
Marseille - Thonon les Bains: 08:38 - 13:31 (via Lyon and Bellegarde)
On certain dates, trains fill up quickly, so it's possible to reach Thonon by train and then boat – a unique experience with a stunning view of the mountains from the lake! A metro line connects the train station and the port of Ouchy.
(5 min journey, departures every 4 min). TGV Paris - Lausanne, then boat Lausanne Ouchy - Thonon.
Please let us know so that we can come and pick you up at the landing stage.
If you arrive at Thonon-les-Bains station at a later date, you can take a bus to Vacheresse (stop opposite the hotel - information from SAT: 04 50 71 00 88 or on http://www.sat-autocars.com).
Saturday: Thonon train station - Vacheresse town hall: 6:30 p.m. - 6:55 p.m.
Monday: Thonon train station - Vacheresse town hall: 8:40 am - 9:10 am
Price: €3.50/person + €2/luggage
Geneva Cointrin Airport + train Geneva-Lausanne then boat Lausanne-Thonon (let us know).
Arrived by car
The most practical and economical means of transport (for at least 2 people):
Take the A40 (or A41) motorway to Annemasse, then the N206 to Machilly, then join Thonon-les-Bains via Bons en Chablais (D903), continue towards Thonon-les-Bains via the N5.
Price details
The price includes
- Organization costs and supervision
- Food and accommodation (based on double occupancy) on a full board basis
- Loan of snowshoes and poles
- Shuttles between the train station and the hotel
The price does not include
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Personal equipment
- The means of transport to the meeting place
- The single room supplement
- Cancellation insurance - repatriation assistance - trip interruption
Options
- Extra night before stay - Single room : CHF109.78 / unit
- Extra night before stay - Double room : CHF82.33 / person
- Additional night after stay - Single room : CHF109.78 / unit
- Additional night after stay - Double room : CHF82.33 / person
- I'm coming by train : CHF0.00 / person
- Single room supplement : CHF137.22 / unit
- 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
For these hikes, the following will be provided free of charge, depending on snow conditions:
- A pair of "TSL" snowshoes. Their binding system adapts to all types of shoes (if you have any doubt, call us).
- Or a pair of hiking crampons.
To complete your equipment, we offer ski poles.
If you have your own equipment, feel free to bring it. You're used to it and will certainly be better!
Equipment to bring
- 1 backpack of 35/40 litres with a flexible frame, equipped with a waist belt and allowing the snowshoes to be attached.
- A large plastic bag to protect the inside of the backpack.
- 1 pair of excellent quality sunglasses with side protection.
- 1 thermos or a preferably insulated water bottle (1.5 liters minimum).
- 1 Opinel-type pocket knife.
- 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to put your money, identity card, health insurance card and assistance contract in.
- Toiletries (opt for the essentials, small sizes, samples and travel kits).
- Earplugs or ear pads (optional).
- Toilet paper.
- Sunscreen + lip balm.
- Airtight plastic container (minimum capacity 0.5 l) + cup + cutlery.
- 1 headlamp or flashlight.
- 1 survival blanket.
- Camera, binoculars (optional).
Personal pharmacy
- Your usual medications.
- Pain medication: paracetamol preferred.
- Lozenges for sore throats.
- Elastic adhesive strip, Elastoplast type, 8 cm wide.
- Sets of adhesive bandages + disinfectant compresses.
- Double skin (like Compeed or SOS blisters).
- 1 pair of tweezers.
Clothing to bring
The principles:
For the upper body, the 3-layer principle allows you to manage almost all situations:
- a long-sleeved undershirt made of breathable material (hollow fiber).
- a warm fleece fur jacket.
- a windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket of the gore-tex type.
When hiking in calm, sunny weather, a base layer may be sufficient. In rain, snow, or wind, simply add a waterproof jacket. In very cold weather or during breaks, a fleece jacket is an essential addition.
Choose clothes that dry quickly, so avoid cotton. Opt for wool, silk, and synthetic fibers that will keep you dry and warm for as long as possible.
Remember to dress warmly before you get cold, but especially to remove layers before you get too hot. Sweat is the enemy of snowshoe hikers, as it dampens clothing that quickly becomes icy during breaks. Therefore, it's very rare to undertake a climb wearing a fleece jacket.
Avoid anoraks and ski suits, which are too warm and bulky.
- 1 sun hat or cap.
- 1 scarf.
- 1 beanie.
- 1 pair of mittens with possibly silk gloves and an extra pair of gloves.
- Short-sleeved T-shirts in breathable material preferred (1 for 2 to 3 days of walking).
- 1 long-sleeved undershirt in breathable material or a shirt.
- 1 fleece fur jacket.
- 1 windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket with hood.
- 1 rain cape or a bivvy bag if you own the jacket above.
- 1 pair of loose-fitting trekking trousers.
- 1 pair of waterproof and breathable overtrousers such as Gore-Tex (if your budget allows)
- 1 pair of underwear (maybe be used in the evening at the stopover).
- Hiking socks (1 pair for 2 to 3 days of hiking). Opt for wool or hiking-specific socks. Be careful with cotton as it can cause blisters.
- One pair of hiking boots with good ankle support and waterproof soles (like Vibram). Remember to test new shoes and those that haven't been worn for a long time beforehand. Boots and après-ski boots are absolutely forbidden.
- 1 pair of gaiters.
- Underwear.
- 1 swimsuit (optional).
- 1 pair of comfortable trousers for the evening.
- 1 pair of lightweight casual shoes for the evening.
The Karine & Emma team
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