Easter weekend snowshoeing in the Izoard valley
In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationQueyras Massif / Cervières
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AgeFrom 14 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions33.64 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
English
French
In a few words
Celebrate Easter in the heart of a wild Briançonnais valley, blanketed in snow! Starting from a friendly, family-run inn nestled at the foot of the Izoard pass, discover the most beautiful winter landscapes of the Cervières valley on snowshoes. Explore the hamlet of Laus and its wooded valleys, the wide-open spaces of the Fonts valley, and the Nordic atmosphere of the Péméant forest. During your stay, our hosts will invite you to savor their specialty: meat cooked in the fireplace—a true delight for your taste buds!
The highlights
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Snowshoeing excursions in the heart of a wild and unspoiled valley
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A warm welcome in an inn in the heart of the snow-covered mountains
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An original and delicious Easter meal
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
Important : Please remember that you must be able to participate in this trip. You can contact us ( [email protected] ) with any questions you may have about the trip's schedule and the required skill level. Any information about you that could affect your participation in this trip must be communicated to us.
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 12 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 514 m
- Average daily descent: 514 m
Management
English
French
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 !
To live a passion through one's profession, to travel the world, to discover, to share.
With my energetic and cheerful personality, I'm eager to share with you everything that inspires me when I hike. Open to others, I'm enriched by each encounter with you. See you soon on the trails!
Stay supervised by Vincent or Alexandre, members of our partner agency, qualified and passionate Mountain Guides, with snowshoeing qualifications and 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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The Chalets of Izoard
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 12km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 440 m
- Negative elevation 440 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Meet at 8:45 am at the Auberge l'Arpelin in Cervières. Welcome, breakfast, presentation of the stay, distribution of equipment then departure for the first walk.
A hike that will take us, through woods, to the Chalets d'Izoard (2190m), an old Alpine hamlet located in a magnificent mineral cirque at the foot of the famous pass.
Day 1 -
The Valley of the Springs
- Transportation Minibus - 00h10 - 5km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This walk will take us through rolling terrain towards the Col de Bousson (2154m), on the border with the Italian Piedmont. This pass, due to its low altitude, was once one of the links between the Escarton d'Oulx and the Escarton de Briançon, and also a popular crossing point for smugglers. We will have a breathtaking view over the Vallée des Fonts with its many alpine hamlets.
Day 2 -
The hamlets of the Alp
- Transportation Minibus - 20h - 15km
- 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
We will set off to explore the hamlets of the Alp, small clusters of old mountain chalets that still powerfully bear witness to the harshness of agricultural life in bygone days. We will then find ourselves in the heart of the valley where the chamois winter, the ideal place to try and observe them.
The stay ends after the walk, around 3pm. We can enjoy the gîte one last time to have a drink and a shower before leaving.
Our free shuttle will drop you off at Briançon station no later than 4:45 pm.
Day 3
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
You will be accommodated at the Auberge l'Arpelin, an 18th-century building converted into a friendly and family-run guesthouse, located in the hamlet of Laus at an altitude of 1750 meters, in the heart of the mountains and at the foot of the famous Col d'Izoard.
The hostel'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 Saturday, March 27th at 8:45 am at the Auberge l'Arpelin in Lieu-dit le Laus, at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. Check-in to your rooms followed by breakfast and a presentation of the stay.
The stay ends on Monday, March 29th, after the last walk, around 2 pm. We will be able to enjoy the gîte one last time to have a drink and take a shower before leaving.
Our free shuttle will drop you off at Briançon station by 3pm at the latest.
Go to the starting point
The main source of fine particulate pollution in our mountains is the combustion of fossil fuels generated by cars, particularly during the holiday traffic.
That is why we are doing everything we can to welcome you at Briançon station.
🚂 Briançon 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)
🚂 Oulx SNCF station (Italy)
TGV Paris-Oulx on the Paris-Turin-Milan line then Oulx-Briançon shuttle.
For those arriving by train and wishing to use our free shuttle service, we will meet you on Saturday, March 27th at Briançon train station (time to be confirmed), in the parking lot to the right as you exit the station hall. Please let us know in advance by selecting the free option when making your reservation.
If your train arrival time doesn't coincide with the shuttle's arrival time, you'll need to take a taxi to get to the hostel. We recommend contacting Transalp Taxi at 06.81.69.88.39; the fare is approximately €45.
🚘 From the North: Grenoble - Col du Lautaret - Briançon - Cervières. If the Col du Lautaret is closed, you will have to go via the Col Bayard and Gap. You will then reach Briançon from the south.
🚘 Via the South : Valence or Sisteron - Gap - Embrun – Briançon - Cervières.
🚘 Via Italy : Chambéry - Fréjus Tunnel - Montgenèvre Pass - Briançon - Cervières.
You can park all week in the hostel's free parking lot.
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
- Full board with picnic lunch from breakfast on Saturday 27th until lunch on Monday 29th March
- the tourist tax
- 3 days of supervision
The price does not include
- drinks and personal expenses
Options
- Free shuttle between Briançon train station and the Arpelin hostel : CHF0.00 / unit
- Single room : CHF73.18 / unit
- Half-board extra before the stay (subject to availability) : CHF60.38 / unit
- Half-board extra after the stay (subject to availability) : CHF60.38 / 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:
- the snowshoes
- hiking poles
- Safety equipment: avalanche victim detectors, shovels and probes
For picnics:
- fabric bags
- containers for soups and salads
- spoons
- thermoses for hot drinks
- cups
- bath towels
Equipment to bring
- 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...
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 hiking:
- 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.
- 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
- indoor shoes or slippers
- 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.
- toiletries
