New Year's Eve snowshoeing in the heart of the Meije region
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationÉcrins Massif / Hautes-Alpes
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions99.48 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Head to Écrins National Park and stay in a warm and welcoming 3-star hotel in the charming village resort of Villar-d'Arène ! David and Sabrina, your attentive hosts, have prepared a truly special stay for you! On the agenda: breathtaking snowshoe hikes with our guides, whose good humor is contagious, cozy accommodations, a team dedicated to your well-being , and gourmet cuisine to delight your taste buds! After your exertions on the trails, you'll enjoy a delicious picnic while admiring the breathtaking landscapes of the La Meije region. To end the year in style, a festive evening awaits: a friendly aperitif at the bar, a celebratory meal, and a concert by the band Symbioz to ring in the New Year !
The highlights
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Breathtaking landscapes in unspoiled nature
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A unique experience with dynamic guides
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A warm and comfortable establishment and a team that goes the extra mile.
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
This trip is level 2 (moderate) and is designed for those seeking an active and contemplative experience.
To fully enjoy this stay:
Being accustomed to mountain hiking, snowshoeing experience at this level is preferable.
Be able to walk for 3.5 to 4.5 hours per day on a positive elevation gain of 400 to 600m.
Technical aspects: Our valley is "alpine," meaning you must be able to navigate slopes that are sometimes steep.
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average distance/day: 10 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 524 m
- Average daily descent: 104 m
Management
Program
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Arrival in Villar d'Arène
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Upon arrival at the hotel , you will have time to settle in and get to know the team.
Afterwards, an aperitif is planned with your tour leader and Sabrina , your hostess. Advice and a friendly atmosphere will be provided during the presentation of your stay.
In the evening, you can relax and enjoy the meal served in our restaurant, from 7:30 pm .
Day 1 -
Col de la Pare 2155m - Balcon de la Meije
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Before setting off on your hike, your guide will provide you with the equipment: TSL type plate snowshoes, hiking poles as well as an avalanche transceiver , a probe and a shovel.
You will begin your stay with a warm-up day, in order to discover, at your own pace, an exceptional panorama of the Meije massif .
A steady climb from the hotel will take you to a small pass situated between two valleys. Along this route, we will have the opportunity to observe the local wildlife : deer, chamois, large birds of prey, and many others.
Day 2 -
Puy Chevalier 2050m or Montagne du Puy du Cros 2100m
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 17km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day of breathtaking scenery awaits you on a balcony overlooking the Écrins mountains . This hike, slightly off the beaten track in the Pays de la Meije region , will offer you a new and stunning viewpoint. From Les Conchiers (1,547 m), your ascent along the southern slope will likely allow you to observe the large ungulates that frequent this area. Ibex and mouflon are often present, making this experience even more rewarding.
Day 3 -
Bosse des Plagnes - Côte Rouge via the forest 2277m - Les Clots - Ventelon
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 8km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 470 m
- Negative elevation 520 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This day will take place on the sunny side of the mountain , facing the Meije and its glaciers, with the first part of the hike winding through the forest. This traverse will offer you an exceptional panorama, stretching from the northern part of the Écrins massif to the Grandes Rousses massif .
You will take advantage of your visit to the hamlet of Les Clots to explore a theme on traditional architecture in Haute Romanche .
Day 4 -
The Cow Enclosure 2278m - In the Kingdom of the Ibex
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 17km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 580 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day trip to the heart of the Cerces massif . This route will take you to the vicinity of the new Monêtier municipal refuge , offering a magnificent view of the Barre des Écrins . Along the way, you will have the opportunity to observe ibex and learn about some basic geology to enrich the experience.
Day 5 -
Vallon du Pic Blanc du Galibier 2470m
- Transportation Minibus - 00h15 - 9km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 520 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This last day is intended to be panoramic and at altitude . You will go up a small valley to reach a plateau offering an unobstructed view, from Monte Viso (3,841m) to La Meije (3,983m), passing by the highest point of the massif: La Barre des Écrins (4,103m).
Upon your return , it will be an opportunity to have a short debriefing over a friendly drink, to share your impressions and memories of the day.
Day 6 -
End of stay
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After a sporty and emotionally charged week, your stay will end after breakfast.
Day 7
Accommodation
David and Sabrina welcome you to the exceptional setting of the Meije region . The hotel offers a warm and friendly atmosphere, excellent cuisine , and ideal access to all your mountain activities . Located in the village closest to the Lautaret and Galibier passes , this location is perfect for ski touring enthusiasts, glacier hikers , cyclists, and hikers.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a 3-star hotel in a shared double or twin room
- Full board from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7
- Guided snowshoeing excursions
- Transfers to hiking locations
- New Year's Eve
The price does not include
- The tourist tax is €1.10 per person per day.
- Personal expenses and drinks
- Your extras
- Massages
Options
- Extra night BEFORE stay - Single room : CHF114.35 / unit
- Extra night BEFORE stay - Double room : CHF173.81 / unit
- Extra night AFTER your stay - Single room : CHF114.35 / unit
- Extra night AFTER your stay - Double room : CHF173.81 / 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
- Hiking equipment
- TSL technical snowshoes
- Sticks
- DVA: Avalanche victim detector, Tracker S BCA model
- Probe
- Snow shovel
Equipment to bring
- 30/40L Backpack
- Water bottle or thermos (the accompanying persons will have coffee for lunch, so bring a thermos if you want to have hot water for tea)
- Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen
- Picnic tableware
Clothing to bring
- Waterproof high-top hiking boots and appropriate socks
- Cold-weather clothing (fleece)
- Appropriate rain gear (gore-tex or similar)
- gaiters
- Hiking pants with waterproof overpants or ski pants
- Warm, waterproof gloves and a hat
- Swimsuit, if you wish to go to the Grands Bains de Monetier
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- The balance (the remaining 70%) must be paid no later than 30 days before departure.
- ✅ Of an amount greater than €300.
- ✅ Whose departure is in more than 30 days.