Val d'Aoste and Val de Cogne à Raquettes
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationAosta Valley / French Alps
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions61.25 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
The highlights
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A high mountain atmosphere on mid-mountain routes
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Quality accommodation and a warm welcome.
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Remarkable views every day
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
For athletic and trained walkers.
Hiker level 3 to 4 on a scale of 5.
A mountain route with elevation gains of 600 to 900 meters. Suitable for fit and motivated hikers who have never tried snowshoeing before. If you wish, it is always possible to take a rest day to recharge.
Average elevation gain: 800 m Maximum elevation gain: 900 m
Average time: 5 hours 30 minutes Maximum: 6 hours 00 minutes
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average daily elevation gain: 747 m
- Average daily descent: 747 m
Management
French
Program
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Veteran
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 3:00 PM in Vétan, dressed in hiking gear. We'll head straight out for a hike in the hills above Vétan, offering a beautiful panorama, particularly of the Gran Paradiso peaks where we'll hike in the second half of the week. We'll check into our hotel in Vétan, where we'll spend two nights at an altitude of 1800 meters.
Day 1 -
The Leysser peak (2771 m)
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The southern slopes of Mont Rouge are a magnificent playground for snowshoe hikers. We reach the Leysser alpine pastures, which offer a sweeping view of the Gran Paradiso massif. If conditions permit, we can climb to the Col de Palettaz (2707 m) and the Pointe de Leysser. A very fun descent follows, through the numerous small streams that form veritable natural halfpipes. Second night in Vétan.
Day 2 -
Alpine pasture of Pointe de la Pierre (2450 m)
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We leave Vétan. Transfer to Ozein (30 minutes). The beginning of the ascent crosses a series of clearings before opening onto an alpine pasture located in the heart of the Aosta Valley. Its unique geographical position offers a remarkable panorama from the valley floor and the city of Aosta to the highest peaks of the Alps. Transfer to the Val di Cogne (30 minutes), check-in at our hotel in Valnontey where we will stay for 3 nights.
Day 3 -
Tsaplana Peak (2681 m)
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A short transfer to the hamlet of Gimillan (3 km). A beautiful climb through a sunlit larch forest, then into alpine pastures. When we turn around at the first break, the view is breathtaking. A magnificent glacial cirque closes off the valley in front of us. The highest point of this cirque is Gran Paradiso (4061 m). Descent to Cogne and a visit to the village, the largest in the valley. Overnight in Valnontey.
Day 4 -
Le Grand Lauson (2506 m)
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We put on our snowshoes in front of our accommodation and climb the sunny side of the valley. The forest thins out, and the views of the glaciers become increasingly spectacular. We pass through alpine villages slumbering under the snow and continue towards the Lauson Glacier. Several peaks ranging from 3,500 to 4,000 meters surround us. The atmosphere is very alpine, but the terrain remains perfectly suited to snowshoeing. Overnight in Valnontey.
Day 5 -
Lake Loie (2346 m)
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 730 m
- Negative elevation 730 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
A short transfer to Lillaz (10 minutes), a little higher up in the Cogne valley. Hike to the Goilles plateau (2240 m). More terrain perfectly suited to snowshoeing, and still beautiful scenery! We're at the foot of the Bardoney summit and its micro-glacier! If we have time, we'll continue to Lake Loie. End of the trip around 3:30 pm in Cogne.
Day 6
Accommodation
2 nights in Vétan (1800 m) in comfortable guest rooms, in a room for 2 or 3 people, bathroom in the room (some rooms have bunk beds).
3 nights in Val de Cogne (1650 m)
3 nights in Val de Cogne (1650 m) in a ** hotel in a double room with TV and telephone, en-suite bathroom. Charming stone house in a village with narrow streets. Small wellness center with sauna and jacuzzi. Wi-Fi with internet access.
Individual registrations will be grouped into rooms of 2 or 3 beds.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- The trip is organized and supervised by a state-certified mountain guide with winter qualifications.
- Accommodation for 5 nights (based on double occupancy)
- Meals (from dinner on Day 1 to the picnic on Day 6)
- Snowshoe and pole rental.
The price does not include
- Individual equipment
- Transfers during the circuit
- Drinks and personal expenses.
- Cancellation, assistance, repatriation, and trip interruption insurance
- Generally speaking, anything not listed in the previous section.
Options
- Extra night before the stay - Single room in Vétan : CHF96.05 / unit
- Extra night before stay - Double room in Vétan : CHF164.66 / unit
- Additional night after your stay - Single room in Val de Cogne : CHF146.37 / unit
- Extra night after your stay - Double room in Val de Cogne : CHF219.55 / unit
- Additional night after stay - Single room in Vétan : CHF96.05 / unit
- Extra night after your stay - Double room in Vétan : CHF164.66 / 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.
FORMALITIES:
Repatriation assistance insurance is essential because rescue services are not free in Italy. Check that your repatriation assistance policy includes mountain rescue costs.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- A pair of snowshoes
- A pair of poles
- An avalanche transceiver (DVA) with shovel and probe
Important: if you are bringing your own technical equipment, please indicate this on your registration form.
Equipment to bring
During the day, you carry in a backpack equipped with wide shoulder straps, an adjustable anatomical frame, and straps to attach the snowshoes, with a capacity of 40 liters, for your belongings for the day.
- A warm fleece jacket (wear it depending on the conditions).
- A waterproof and breathable jacket, with a hood (wear it depending on the conditions).
- Thermal tights (worn under your mountain pants depending on the conditions).
- A tube of sunscreen and a high-protection lip balm stick.
- A ski mask.
- A pair of warm, waterproof gloves
- A water bottle or flask of solid water (minimum 1 litre), (water bladder/pipette not recommended, risk of freezing).
- A thermos of hot drink, if desired.
- The midday picnic and race supplies were handed out
- Toilet paper and a lighter to burn it.
- Your personal pharmacy reduced to a minimum.
- A pocket knife, a spoon and an airtight plastic container for lunch salads.
- A few plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A waterproof pouch with your identity papers, money, insurance certificates, assistance documents.
- Technical equipment (see below).
- A survival blanket.
- A toiletry bag.
- A bath towel.
- Spare socks.
- A change of clothes.
- A tracksuit or similar for the night.
- Sandals or slippers-type shoes.
- Spare shoes for walking outside (potentially in the snow).
- A sleeping bag liner for hostels and guesthouses (blankets are provided).
- A headlamp
- A complement to your personal medicine cabinet.
Technical equipment: a pair of warm, waterproof shoes suitable for snowshoeing
Note: Waterproof hiking boots and a pair of gaiters are sufficient for this trip.
Clothing to bring
- A thermal (quick-drying) long-sleeved undergarment.
- A microfleece.
- Windproof and waterproof mountain trousers or over-trousers.
- Socks with excellent thermal insulation.
- A pair of gaiters if your trousers haven't served the purpose.
- A hat or a balaclava
- A fleece neck warmer
- A hat, a scarf or a cap for the sun.
- Very good sunglasses with side protection or glacier glasses.
- A pair of lightweight fleece-type gloves
