Snowshoeing & winter bivouac near Annecy
In summary
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Sports
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Duration2 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationHaute-Savoie / French Alps
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AgeFrom 16 - 70 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
Immerse yourself in the heart of the snow-covered mountains for a timeless , wild experience . This two-day trip invites you to push your limits and experience the authentic thrill of a winter bivouac . Accompanied by a local expert, you'll explore pristine landscapes on snowshoes before learning essential techniques for setting up a safe camp in the wilderness.
Beneath the starry sky, the silence of winter gives way to conviviality: savor a delicious meal shared by the light of the stars, a uniquely warm moment before settling into your sleeping bag . Your mountain guide will share their knowledge of the mountain ecosystem, guaranteeing an adventure that is both enriching and safe. Between pushing your limits and contemplation, this two-half-day getaway offers a complete escape and unforgettable memories close to the mountain peaks. A truly frosty interlude for lovers of unspoiled nature .
The highlights
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A unique snowshoeing experience in wild landscapes
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A night camping in the heart of nature
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An evening under the stars
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
Intermediate level :
Physical condition: I am in decent physical condition. I do sports regularly (2 to 3 times a month). I like to push myself with efforts that aren't too long and I need rest between activities.
Elevation gain: 300m to 600m maximum / day.
Maximum duration of effort: 5 hours / day.
Experience required: None.
Carrying: Backpack for several days in case of travel.
Technical difficulties: Varied and hilly routes.
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 3h
- Average distance/day: 6 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 415 m
- Average daily descent: 50 m
Management
French
English
A professional snowshoeing instructor, he will share his passion for the mountains with you through numerous anecdotes.
During this stay, you will be accompanied by a mountain guide.
He will be there to guide you, share his knowledge, and ensure your safety.
Program
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Ascent to the bivouac site
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 420 m
- Negative elevation 60 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After the pre-departure briefing, we begin our ascent towards our bivouac site. We'll hike through forests and alpine meadows off-trail, in a pristine and unspoiled environment. Then, the view opens up to the surrounding mountains. It's time to find the perfect spot to set up camp. The afternoon's agenda includes pitching our tent in the snow, building a table in the snow for our meal, enjoying the evening colors while having an aperitif, sharing a delicious meal, and taking in the spectacle that nature offers us.
Day 1 -
Descent from the bivouac
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 410 m
- Negative elevation 40 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After a good night's sleep in your cold-weather sleeping bags, you'll be the first to watch the sun rise over Mont Blanc! What a privilege! After breakfast, you'll then have to break camp to return to yesterday's starting point, your head full of wonderful memories.
Day 2
Note
The program is provided for informational purposes only.
The mountain guide can modify or adapt the itinerary daily depending on:
- weather conditions;
- snow conditions;
- the actual technical and physical level of the participants;
- security requirements.
Accommodation
4-season "tunnel" style bivouac tent
Access
Appointment
Meet on day 1 at 1:30 pm in front of the Glières Plateau house ( access via Thorens-Glières ) for the briefing and check of each participant's personal equipment.
Please note, access to the plateau is via Thorens-Glières (the plateau cannot be crossed by car in winter).
End of stay
Return to the starting point the following day in the late morning around 11am.
Plan to have a personal vehicle with winter equipment to reach the start of the stay (approximately 45 minutes from the centre of Annecy).
Go to the starting point
Plan to have a personal vehicle with winter equipment to reach the start of the stay (approximately 45 minutes from the centre of Annecy).
It is also possible to use Sibra buses as part of the Mobil'Hiver seasonal mobility offer.
Price details
The price includes
- Supervision by a state-certified mountain guide.
- Loan of snowshoes and poles.
- Rental of bivouac equipment (tent, cold-weather sleeping bag, insulating ground mat, stove,
- shovel, cooking pot).
- Meals (dinner and breakfast).
The price does not include
- Assistance and repatriation insurance.
- Mountain rescue insurance.
- Cancellation insurance.
- Transportation to the starting point of the stay.
- Drinks and your race snacks (dried fruit, cereal bars).
- Your hiking equipment adapted to winter conditions.
- Any service not mentioned in the "Price includes" section.
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
- Loan of snowshoes and poles.
- Loan of bivouac equipment (tent, cold weather sleeping bag, insulating ground mat, stove, shovel, cooking pot).
Equipment to bring
Spending the night in the mountains in winter requires being properly equipped to ensure that the experience remains as pleasant as possible.
Below is a list of minimum equipment you should bring on your adventure. You can add to this list, but be mindful of the final weight .
- High-top hiking boots suitable for snowshoeing (warm and waterproof are essential) .
- Backpack with a volume of 70L.
- 1L thermos (No camelback).
- A cup.
- A fork.
- A knife.
- Headlamp.
- Sunglasses (masks are preferable in snow and wind), sunscreen, lipstick.
- Snacks for hunger pangs (cereal bars, dried fruit, etc.).
- Meat bag.
- Ultralight toiletry kit.
- Personal pharmacy.
Take your time packing your bag, choosing each item with the idea that you'll be carrying it for the duration of your trip. Organize it cleverly; don't pack your picnic or raincoat at the bottom. The goal is to balance it as much as possible to make carrying it as comfortable as possible.
Clothing to bring
- Goretex type trousers + tights + gaiters or ski trousers (must be warm and waterproof) .
- Waterproof hiking jacket, Gore-Tex type.
- Warm and "breathable" underwear.
- Polar or equivalent.
- Warm down jacket for the evening (Comfort rating -15°C minimum).
- "Buff" style beanie and neck warmer to protect the face.
- Warm gloves (waterproof overgloves in addition, mittens are preferable in very cold weather).
- Spare underwear to keep you dry in the evening.
When it comes to underwear (T-shirts, boxer shorts, socks), avoid cotton, which dries very slowly. Opt instead for synthetic technical fabrics or merino wool. They are warmer and dry very quickly.
