Mythical mountain passes and hospices of the Swiss Alps on snowshoes

Documents to bring with you during the hike:

1. Valid identity card or passport.
2. Travel insurance: bring the leaflet received when you registered if you purchased the offered insurance, or your personal insurance information (contract number and telephone number).

Warning: Unlike in France, rescue operations in Switzerland are very expensive. Check that your insurance policy includes search and rescue coverage with a sufficient limit. Bank card insurance often covers assistance and repatriation, but some basic cards, and even some premium cards, do not cover search and rescue costs.

1. French national health insurance card (Carte Vitale) and European Health Insurance Card.
2. Currency: Euros are generally accepted in Switzerland, but it is advisable to have Swiss francs for certain payments.

Driving on Swiss motorways:

It is mandatory to purchase the motorway vignette (40 CHF, valid all year round), available at border crossings.

We offer robust and lightweight snowshoes, equipped with plate bindings and anti-slip tips, adaptable to all mountain or trekking shoes, as well as poles and specific hiking safety equipment:

1. TSL Snowshoes
2. Rigid poles, stronger than telescopic poles
3. Safety equipment: avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe

This equipment is provided free of charge. If you already have your own equipment, you may use it provided it is in perfect working order. In this case, please let us know when you register, specifying what you will be bringing, so that we can better assess the equipment needs for the entire group.

Equipment :

1. 1 backpack of 35/40 litres with a flexible frame, equipped with a waist belt and allowing the snowshoes to be attached.
2. A large plastic bag to protect the inside of the backpack.
3. 1 pair of excellent quality sunglasses with side protection.
4. 1 thermos or a preferably insulated water bottle (1.5 liters minimum).
5. 1 Opinel-type pocket knife.
6. 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to put your money, identity card, health insurance card and assistance contract in.
7. Sunscreen + lip balm.
8. Airtight plastic container (minimum capacity 0.5 l) + cup + cutlery.
9. Camera, binoculars (optional).

For the evening at the accommodation:

1. A sleeping bag liner. Duvets are unnecessary.
2. 1 swimsuit (optional).
3. 1 pair of comfortable trousers.
4. 1 pair of lightweight casual shoes.
5. Toiletries.
6. 1 quick-drying bath towel.
7. Earplugs or ear pads (optional).
8. 1 headlamp or flashlight.

Personal pharmacy:

1. Your usual medications.
2. Elastic adhesive strip, Elastoplast type, 8 cm wide.
3. Sets of adhesive bandages + disinfectant compresses.
4. Double skin (like Compeed or SOS blisters).
5. Tweezers.

Clothes :

For the upper body, the 3-layer principle allows you to manage almost all situations:

1. A long-sleeved undershirt made of breathable material (hollow fiber).
2. A warm fleece fur jacket.
3. A windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket.

When hiking in calm, sunny weather, a base layer may be sufficient. In rain, snow, or wind, simply add a waterproof jacket. In very cold weather or during breaks, a fleece jacket is an essential addition.

Choose quick-drying clothes, so avoid cotton. Opt for wool (merino wool underwear is comfortable and doesn't develop unpleasant odors), silk, and synthetic fibers that will keep you dry and warm for as long as possible.

Remember to dress warmly before you get cold, but especially to remove layers before you get too hot. Sweat is a hiker's enemy, as it dampens clothing that quickly becomes icy during breaks. Therefore, it's very rare to undertake a climb wearing a fleece jacket.

Avoid anoraks and ski suits, which are too warm and bulky.

The ideal list: (to be adapted according to the hike and the season)

1. 1 sun hat or cap.
2. 1 scarf or neck warmer.
3. 1 beanie.
4. 1 pair of mittens with possibly silk gloves and an extra pair of gloves.
5. Short-sleeved T-shirts made of breathable material are preferred.
6. 1 long-sleeved undershirt in breathable material or a shirt.
7. 1 fleece fur jacket.
8. 1 windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket with hood.
9. 1 rain cape or a bivvy bag if you own the jacket above.
10. 1 pair of loose-fitting trekking trousers.
11. 1 pair of waterproof and breathable overtrousers, Gore-Tex type.
12. Hiking socks (1 pair for 2 to 3 days of hiking). Opt for wool or hiking-specific socks. Be careful with cotton as it can cause blisters.
13. One pair of high-top hiking boots with good ankle support and waterproof soles (like Vibram). Remember to test new shoes and those that haven't been worn for a long time beforehand. Boots and après-ski boots are absolutely forbidden.
14. 1 pair of gaiters.
15. 1 ski mask against fog