Snowshoeing & Comfort Holiday to Discover the Aravis Mountains - 7 days
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationLe Grand-Bornand / Aravis mountain range
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AgeFrom 18 - 70 years
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CO₂-Emissions67.22 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Discover an exceptional seven-day stay in the heart of the Aravis , nestled in a charming cottage located at an altitude of 1,300 meters in the Old Village of Chinaillon .
Under the expert guidance of your mountain guide Corentin, you will explore magnificent alpine landscapes during two full days of snowshoeing . The adventure is enriched by unique experiences: a memorable sunrise at altitude, a warming fondue hike.
For your complete comfort, enjoy an all-inclusive package that includes all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. All you have to do is sit down and enjoy delicious, homemade cuisine. An ideal setting to combine fresh air, conviviality , and gastronomic pleasure in complete serenity.
The highlights
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Accommodation in a fully renovated 1837 cottage with a large terrace and panoramic views
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Hiking in extremely wild places
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Varied local and homemade cuisine
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
This trip is designed for people with a regular level of physical activity. You should be able to climb 500 to 600 meters of elevation gain. Please note that we forget about timing during these outings; we take the time to truly enjoy the experience.
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average distance/day: 10 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 575 m
- Average daily descent: 575 m
Management
French
A trained special education teacher, I left my beautiful little Belgium to settle here and surround my life with these mountains. It's this passion for the peaks that led me to train as a mountain guide. Being able to share what I love, to take people on hidden trails, I've managed to turn my passion into my profession. Having lived in the Aravis mountains for three years, I'll be happy to show you some wonderful hidden gems.
Program
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Arrival at the gîte
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Take your time to settle in and explore the cottage.
Welcome and presentation of the stay.
Day 1 -
Day hike
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 8h per day
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Let's explore the wildlife and heritage of the Aravis mountain range! Accompanied by Corentin, a mountain guide, this trip invites you to take the time to admire exceptional panoramas on off-the-beaten-path routes.
Two full days in this format will be offered to you during your stay.
Days 2 to 3 -
Exit blended with return to the headlamp
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Set off in the mid- to late afternoon to admire the sunset from a mountaintop while enjoying a fondue cooked on site by Corentin. Once your stomach is full, return to the gîte by headlamp.
Day 4 -
half-day hike
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Depending on the weather and the group's fitness level, let's explore new snowshoe trails on a half-day excursion.
Day 5 -
Sunrise
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Set off at dawn to discover a beautiful sunrise from the heights while warming up with a good breakfast.
Day 6 -
Breakfast and end of stay
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Enjoy a final breakfast with a view of the Aravis mountains before your scheduled departure at 10am at the latest.
Day 7
Note
Distances and elevation gains are approximate. They may be adjusted depending on weather conditions, the group's skill level, or the state of the snowpack. In case of insufficient snow, snowshoeing outings may be adapted into hikes. The order of the stages may also be modified depending on the weather.
Accommodation
Welcome to the family chalet (a building listed by the architects of France)!
This one dates from 1837 and was completely renovated in 2024. Rated 3 stars (and we refused the 4th to stay within a reasonable price range), our cottage is renowned for its comfortable bedding, its view and its tranquility in front of the mountains.
Located at an altitude of 1300m in the historic center of the old village, its geographical location in the heart of the Aravis makes this place unique for all these starting points for walks.
Access
Check-in directly at the cottage. Please note that if there is snow, snow tires or chains may be necessary.
Go to the starting point
From the train station to the accommodation:
- By bus (Haute-Savoie Regional Bus Network - Line Y62 / Y63): A regular bus line connects Annecy bus station to Grand-Bornand bus station. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes (ticket costs around €6 one way).
- Local shuttle / On foot: From the Grand-Bornand bus station (in the village), 222 Route du Vieux Village is only 300 to 400 meters away (approximately a 5-minute walk). During the season, the toupibus (free shuttle buses) also run throughout the village.
- By taxi / private hire vehicle: The journey takes approximately 40 minutes from Annecy train station (estimated fare between €70 and €100 depending on the time slot).
A parking lot is reserved for you right next to the cottage.
Price details
The price includes
- The stay will be supervised by a mountain professional.
- Accommodation in a traditional 3-star chalet
- Full board from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7 (except for dinner on Day 6 at a restaurant or other establishment, which will be at your own expense for the last evening)
- The safety equipment needed for outings
- Sheets and towels
- Loan of snowshoes and poles
The price does not include
- Transportation to the place of stay
- Dinner on Day 6
- 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.
