End-of-year festivities in the Écrins: enjoy the magic of winter
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationHautes-Alpes / Écrins Massif
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions35.55 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
What if this year you celebrated the end of the year in peace and quiet, in the heart of the mountains? From your accommodation in Champcella, with full board, set off for three days on snowshoes with Pierre, your guide, to discover the most beautiful snowy corners of the Écrins.
On the agenda: the Col des Lauzes and its magnificent viewpoint overlooking the Freissinières valley, a gentle stroll through the larch trees of the Vallon du Bouffard, then Dormillouse, a high-altitude village nestled above the icefalls. Each evening, return to the warmth of your accommodation for a delicious dinner.
Equipment, shuttles and supervision included: all you have to do is enjoy the magic of winter!
The highlights
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Discover Dormillouse, a perched and preserved village in the heart of the Écrins!
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Let us guide you: guide, equipment, shuttles and full board
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Share the end of the year as a group, in the heart of a calm and unspoiled mountain!
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
This trip is suitable for all levels, provided you are in good physical condition to fully enjoy the snowshoeing days. Your guide will adapt the pace to the group so that everyone progresses comfortably.
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average daily elevation gain: 559 m
- Average daily descent: 559 m
Management
French
A mountain leader for over twenty years and a passionate naturalist guide, Pierre knows the Écrins mountains like no other. Trained in forest management and wildlife, a specialist in mountain birds and a lifelong member of the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds), he helps you discover the mountains in a new way: reading a footprint in the snow, recognizing a tree by its silhouette, observing a bird on a branch… With him, every outing becomes a wonderful adventure, full of discoveries and wonder!
Never worn snowshoes before? This trip is for you! Your guide will adapt the pace, break times, and routes to the group's level, ensuring everyone progresses at their own pace and fully enjoys every moment. They'll teach you all the essential techniques from the very first steps, and you'll learn how to snowshoe in just a few minutes. Let yourself be guided with complete confidence: your only mission is to savor the scenery and the magic of winter!
Program
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Facility
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Your stay begins at 6:30 pm at your accommodation. Over a welcome drink, your guide will outline the program for the coming days and immerse you in the winter mountain atmosphere. Settle in, get to know your fellow travelers, and enjoy a convivial first dinner before taking your first steps on snowshoes.
Day 1 -
Col des Lauzes, a balcony overlooking the Écrins
- Activity Snowshoes
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, Pierre, your guide, will meet you at the foot of your accommodation to lead you to the starting point of your snowshoe hike. With your snowshoes on, set off on a truly panoramic outing: the gentle ascent winds its way through forests and snow-covered meadows, gaining approximately 500 meters in elevation. At the Col des Lauzes pass, the view opens up to the Freissinières valley and the majestic peaks of the Écrins and Pelvoux massifs. Enjoy your picnic lunch with this breathtaking scenery, then return to your accommodation for a cozy dinner.
Day 2 -
Bouffard Valley, the gentle embrace of the larches
- Activity Snowshoes
- Positive elevation gain 475 m
- Negative elevation 475 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, Pierre will meet you in front of the accommodation and take you by shuttle to the start of the hike. With snowshoes on, let yourself be guided through a peaceful larch forest perched on a plateau, with an elevation gain of approximately 475 meters. This gentle walk will lead you to a quiet hamlet nestled in the heart of the mountains.
The return journey follows a pleasant loop along the Durance riverbanks, from one side to the other. Enjoy your picnic in the heart of nature, then return to your accommodation for a cozy dinner.
Day 3 -
Dormillouse, a village above winter
- Activity Snowshoes
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
For this last day, Pierre will meet you at the accommodation and take you by shuttle to the starting point of the final hike. Head towards Dormillouse, at the end of a long, narrow valley where icefalls follow one after another, each more spectacular than the last.
Gradually, the landscape opens up to reveal a high-altitude village accessible only on foot, like an island suspended above the winter. Its restored houses and rich history, full of surprises, give it a unique charm. Depending on opening times, the refuge, housed in the former school, welcomes you for a well-deserved drink. The hike involves approximately 700 meters of elevation gain. The trip ends at 6:00 PM at the L'Argentière-les-Écrins train station.
Day 4
Note
During this trip, Pierre, your guide, will introduce you to winter in the Écrins mountains, snowshoeing your way through the region. Each day, a new hike awaits: the panoramic views from the Col des Lauzes, the larch forest of the Vallon du Bouffard, and the perched village of Dormillouse, nestled at the end of a valley bordered by frozen waterfalls. Picnics in the heart of nature, cozy dinners, and shared moments with the group will fill your days. An accessible, friendly, and scenic getaway, perfect for experiencing the mountains in winter.
Accommodation
Access
Your stay begins on day 1 at 6:30 pm , directly at your accommodation, with a welcome drink. Your guide will present the program for the coming days and introduce you to the atmosphere of the mountains in winter.
The stay ends on day 4 at 6pm , at the SNCF train station of L'Argentière-les-Écrins , ideal for taking the train back in complete serenity.
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- The stay will be supervised by a qualified guide.
- Full board accommodation throughout the stay
- Loan of snowshoes and poles
- Transportation between accommodation and the starting points of hikes
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Tourist taxes (to be paid on site)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
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.
