Snowshoeing & New Year's Eve in Haute-Provence
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationFrench Alps / Queyras Massif
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions85.09 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 unforgettable snowshoeing trip in the heart of the Haute-Provence mountains . Under a bright blue sky, discover pristine peaks and exceptional wild panoramas.
Your base camp is located in Jausiers , at the L'Ardoisière gîte. This charmingly renovated former farmhouse offers a warm and welcoming setting, ideal for exploring the region. Each day brings its own share of wonder: explore the hanging Ubayette valley , traverse the pristine landscapes of the Col de Larche , and admire the alpine peaks of the Chambeyron massif .
On New Year's Eve, gather under the historic vaulted ceilings of the accommodation to share a gourmet dinner . This festive meal showcases local specialties in an authentic and celebratory atmosphere. A perfect winter getaway to combine nature hikes , comfort, and culinary traditions.
The highlights
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A high mountain range, often covered in snow.
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Breathtaking landscapes under the Provençal sun
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A convivial New Year's Eve in a welcoming and warm gîte
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
Please remember that you must be able to participate in this program. You can contact us with any questions you may have about the program and the required skill level. Any information about you that could affect your participation in this program must be communicated to us.
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average distance/day: 12 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 566 m
- Average daily descent: 566 m
Management
French
English
Whether still wearing my mountain hat as a passionate hiker or my chef's toque as a lover of gastronomy, I invite you, in Cervières, Burgundy, Iceland or elsewhere, to explore unspoiled nature and enjoy healthy and delicious cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere !
The stay is supervised by a member of our partner agency, a qualified and passionate Mountain Guide, with snowshoeing qualifications and extensive knowledge of the valley.
Our partner is based in Cervières, at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. In every season, they invite you to discover extraordinary and unspoiled natural spaces, combining adventure, comfort, and enjoyment, all while respecting your fitness level and desires. Join them for a hike and immerse yourself in breathtaking nature, letting yourself be captivated by its beauty!
At the heart of its approach: exchange, sharing and conviviality, with the desire to combine tourism and respect for the environment.
Program
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Welcome and presentation of the stay
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 45km
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Check-in from 6pm at the L'Ardoisière gîte in Jausiers. Village located at the foot of the Col de la Bonette, in the Ubaye Valley.
At 7:30 p.m., a welcome drink will be offered, giving your guide the opportunity to talk to you in more detail about the course of the stay and also to share a convivial moment.
Day 1 -
Mirandol Pass
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 45km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After passing the deserted houses of the hamlet of Fouillouse, we'll climb through the few fields still untouched by agricultural abandonment to reach a larch forest dotted with Swiss pines. We'll continue our gentle ascent to a viewpoint. From there, the landscape is wide open and rolling, and the rest of the route will take us to the Col de Mirandol at 2,433 meters. Here, mountains stretch as far as the eye can see, in this landscape sculpted by giants. The return journey will follow beautiful north-facing slopes before joining a path that will lead us back along the mountainside to Fouillouse.
Day 2 -
Mary and Marinet Valleys
- Transportation Minibus - 01h15 - 55km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 680 m
- Negative elevation 680 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After taking the time to admire the hamlet of Maljasset (1910m) with its slate roofs and superb Romanesque church, we will begin a climb under the larches and then through the alpine pasture to the sheepfold of Mary (2293m).
Next, after following the shores of Lake Marinet, we will arrive at the small bivouac of the same name (2560m). We will then find ourselves at the foot of the Aiguilles de Chambeyron. The high-mountain scenery will be breathtaking!
Day 3 -
Mallemort Pass
- Transportation Minibus - 00h45 - 35km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this hike, we take an old military track that will lead us to the Mallemort pass—quite an undertaking! Yet, life is abundant; it's not uncommon to encounter mouflon, chamois, and perhaps even the bearded vulture, its golden plumage illuminating the sky. Further on, we reach the Viraysse barracks, which, under their blanket of snow, seem to slumber forever. From there, we have two options: either we cross the pass to enjoy a magnificent panorama towards the Mercantour National Park, or we turn back and wisely retrace our steps.
Day 4 -
Larche Pass
- Transportation Minibus - 00h35 - 35km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We'll get back on the road for a quick transfer below the Larche pass. This time we'll head towards the northern part of the valley. There's no forest cover, the climb is quite steep, but the scenery is magnificent; if it weren't for the color, you could easily mistake it for the Hoggar desert, with its dunes and rocky spurs, silence and immensity.
If the sun is out...a headscarf will be very welcome! We will descend to Larche, a small village destroyed by fierce fighting in the spring of 1945.
Day 5 -
Crachet Pass
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 45km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
From the Vars pass road, we will go up a very beautiful valley to the Crachet pass (2631m) from where we will have a superb view of the Crévoux valley and the Pic de Chabrières (2746m).
The trip ends after this last walk, around 2 pm. We can enjoy the hostel one last time for a drink and a shower before leaving.
For those arriving by train, our free shuttle will drop you off at Mont-Dauphin station at 3:30 pm at the latest.
Day 6
Note
We reserve the right to modify the program for any reason (weather conditions, snowpack conditions, participants' physical condition and technical level, the guide's preferences, etc.). These modifications are always made in your best interest: for your safety and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Accommodation
In a renovated old farmhouse, the Ardoisière gîte and inn offers you an ideal location in the heart of the Ubaye valley in the commune of Jausiers at the foot of the Restefond - La Bonette pass and at the gates of the Mercantour National Park.
If you love peace and quiet, old stone buildings, and traditional homemade cuisine featuring local produce, you've come to the right place!
The gîte's free parking is easily accessible even in winter.
Regardless of your mobile network operator, your mobile connection should be good. Wi-Fi access is free and available.
Subject to availability, it is possible to arrive before the start date of your stay and depart after the end date. You can select these options when you register for your stay.
No registration or special request from you will be processed directly by the accommodation provider, who is not responsible for the scheduling or organization of this stay. Room allocation and other accommodation details are handled exclusively between the hotel and us. Thank you for your understanding.
Access
The stay begins on Sunday, December 27th from 6pm at the L'Ardoisière gîte in Jausiers. Village located at the foot of the Col de la Bonette, in the Ubaye Valley.
The trip ends on Friday, January 1st, after the last walk, around 2 pm. We can enjoy the hostel one last time for a drink and a shower before leaving.
Our free shuttle will drop you off at Mont-Dauphin station by 3:30 pm at the latest.
Go to the starting point
The main source of fine particulate pollution in our mountains is the combustion of fossil fuels, particularly by cars during peak holiday travel periods. That's why we're doing everything we can to welcome you to Mont-Dauphin - Guillestre station.
🚂 Mont-Dauphin - Guillestre SNCF train station
From the north, on the Paris-Lyon-Valence-Briançon or Grenoble-Gap-Briançon line
- Daytime trains: TGV then TER
- The direct night train from Paris-Austerlitz is the most convenient for people coming from northern France.
From the south, on the Marseille-Briançon line (TER)
For those arriving by train and wishing to take advantage of our free shuttle service, we will meet you on Sunday, December 27th at 6:20 PM at Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre train station, in the parking lot in front of the station. Please let us know in advance by selecting the free option when making your reservation.
🚘 Via the North: Grenoble - Col Bayard - Gap - Barcelonnette - Jausiers
🚘 Via the South : Valence or Sisteron - Gap - Barcelonnette - Jausiers
🚘 Via Italy : Chambéry - Fréjus Tunnel - Montgenèvre Pass - Briançon - Guillestre - Vars Pass - Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye - Jausiers
You can park all week in the free parking lot of the cottage.
Important :
- Regardless of the route you take, it is mandatory to be equipped with snow tires or chains (practice putting them on before you leave).
- The Fréjus tunnel is a toll tunnel. If you plan to return via the same route, purchase a 7-day return ticket (information and prices at www.sftrf.fr).
- At the exit of the tunnel, beware of the GPS which wants to take you towards Bardonecchia and the Col de l'Échelle which is closed in winter because of the snow!
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be led by a qualified and passionate Mountain Guide.
- Accommodation in a cozy cottage
- Full board from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6
- Christmas Eve dinner
- Rental of snowshoes & poles as well as safety equipment
- The tourist tax
The price does not include
- Transportation to the accommodation or to Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre train station
- drinks and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Free shuttle between Mont-Dauphin - Guillestre train station and the L'Ardoisière gîte : CHF0.00 / person
- Single room (subject to availability) : CHF137.22 / unit
- Additional night with half-board before the stay (subject to availability) : CHF63.12 / unit
- Additional night with half-board after the stay (subject to availability) : CHF63.12 / 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 hiking
- snowshoes
- sticks
- DVA
- shovel
- probe
For picnics
- fabric bags and towels
- Thermoses, bowls, cups and spoons for salads and hot drinks
Equipment to bring
For the day
- A medium-sized backpack (30 to 40 liters) for the day's essentials (water bottle, warm clothes, binoculars, camera, etc.) and a picnic lunch. Straps for attaching snowshoes are often a welcome addition.
- a rain cover to protect belongings in case of snowfall
- an insulated water bottle preferably (1.5 liters minimum)
- a pocket knife
- a pair of highly protective sunglasses
- a tube of sunscreen and a lip balm, both very protective
- a waterproof pouch for carrying your important documents
- Optional: a camera, a pair of binoculars...
- a pharmacy, with the necessary supplies to treat everyday minor ailments, think about possible foot care (Compeed, strapping and other dressings), and of course your personal treatments.
Clothing to bring
To protect yourself from the winter chill, the best method is the "layering" approach: adjust your temperature by wearing layers of clothing that aren't too warm , so you don't sweat too much. We recommend choosing garments made from natural merino fibers, which are warm, breathable, and odor-resistant should you perspire.
For the day
- warm, waterproof trousers or lighter trousers and tights
- a Gore-Tex type windbreaker
- A down jacket to protect against the most biting cold.
- a not-too-thick sweater, possibly fleece or merino wool.
- Warm and quick-drying underwear (tights, long-sleeved t-shirts, etc.), perhaps made of merino wool.
- High-top, waterproof hiking boots
- a warm hat that protects the ears well
- a cap or other hat to protect you from the sun
- two pairs of gloves, thin ones and warm, waterproof "snow" gloves (or mittens)
- Gaiters are recommended if the snow pants don't have good elastic and/or hooks to stay on the boot.
For the evening
- 2 to 3 pairs of warm socks
- spare clothes
