In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationÉcrins Massif / Hautes-Alpes
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions63.85 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
In a few words
At the source of the Écrins National Park…
Nearly 80 years ago, it was in this magnificent setting that the idea for the first French National Park was born. This ambition gave rise in 1973 to the Écrins National Park, a true sanctuary for mountain flora and fauna.
It is in the heart of this preserved setting that we offer you a “Snowshoeing Discovery” stay, designed to make this activity accessible to all.
Accompanied by a passionate professional with extensive knowledge of the valley, your clients will enjoy easy, panoramic, and unforgettable hikes. Facing the Pelvoux, the Ailefroide, or the Barre des Écrins, a spectacular view is guaranteed!
To extend the pleasure, we have selected a warm accommodation with a wellness area including a sauna, hammam and jacuzzi – ideal for recovering after a day in the great outdoors (not included in the price of the stay).
The highlights
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A two-star Logis de France hotel with a wellness area
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Magnificent panoramas in the heart of the Ecrins National Park
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Guaranteed departure for groups of 4 or more
Photos
Marylin - verified review - february 2025
Marylin - verified review - february 2025
Marylin - verified review - february 2025
Marylin - verified review - february 2025
Marylin - verified review - february 2025
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 450 m
- Average daily descent: 450 m
Management
Our team is made up of mountain enthusiasts, happy to help you discover the Écrins in winter!
You will be accompanied by a qualified professional, an expert in snowy terrain. He will guide you safely and share his love of nature with you: reading animal tracks, observing winter landscapes, local stories and anecdotes…
Always attentive to your comfort and pace, he will advise you on your equipment, ensure your safety, and put you at ease. With him, every outing becomes an opportunity to fully enjoy the mountains, discover their hidden treasures, and experience a true moment of disconnection.
Program
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Welcome
- Transportation Minibus - 00h17 - 10km
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
See you on Sunday at 7:30 pm at the hotel
Option included in the price, upon reservation
Your guide will meet you at the station at 6:45 PM for the transfer to the meeting point. Please contact us if any trains arriving at 6:45 PM are full.
Please note that to organize this transport and ensure you have your place, you must book your transfer with us no later than one week before the date of your stay.
As places are limited, any changes must be reported no later than 72 hours before your arrival (i.e., Thursday evening at the latest).Here you are, you've arrived in the land of mountain guides! On a winding road, you gradually enter this legendary landscape… In the distance, you'll glimpse the famous Écrins mountain range and its impressive vertical walls. Feast your eyes on the breathtaking views; this is just the beginning of the journey! At the end of your trek, you'll arrive at the hotel where you'll receive a warm welcome. After a briefing about your stay and a delicious, hearty meal, retire to your room for a well-deserved rest before your first hike the next day.
Day 1 -
The Balcons des Clôts (1,750 m): Warm-up and introduction to avalanche transceiver training
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
On this first day, you'll get to know your group, your guide, and most importantly, your equipment! You'll learn how to use an avalanche transceiver (DVA), and also get acquainted with snowshoeing. Give yourself time to acclimatize to the altitude and the dry cold of the Écrins mountains. Don't forget to enjoy the sublime scenery that surrounds you, beneath the Tête de la Lauzière and the Tête des Raisins peaks, with the larches standing proudly all around you.
Before returning to the hotel, a short stop at the Ecrins National Park Visitor Centre in Vallouise is a must! You will be able to better understand this vast and fragile territory by wandering among the various activities and exhibitions (www.les-ecrins-parc-national.fr).
Day 2 -
The Narreyroux valley (1,820 m): Once upon a time…
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 420 m
- Negative elevation 420 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, you'll step into a setting worthy of the most beautiful fairy tales! Snowshoes on, we'll set off from the hotel and hike to the small Narreyroux valley. Along the stream, listen to the sounds around you: the crunch of snow under your feet, the murmur of animals hiding among the trees… As you emerge from the woods, you'll be delighted to discover the alpine chalets nestled in the valley. You won't be able to resist the urge to roll in the fresh snow!
Day 3 -
La Tête d'Oréac (2,088 m): You're making my head spin!
- Transportation Minibus - 00h08 - 4km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Positive elevation gain 530 m
- Negative elevation 530 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a short transfer to Prey d'Aval (1550 m), we'll embark on a hike that's well worth the effort! Perched atop the broad Tête d'Oréac, you'll be breathless at the exceptional 360° panorama. You won't know where to look first as the snow-capped mountains stretch as far as the eye can see: the 4000-meter peaks of the Écrins massif, the Vallouise and Fournel valleys, all the way to the foothills of the Queyras!
Day 4 -
Ailefroide (1,510 m): Encounter with the giants of the Ecrins
- Transportation Minibus - 00h13 - 8km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Snow conditions permitting, this morning we'll venture deeper into the Écrins mountains to reach our starting point at the hamlet of Les Claux (1,270 m). You can already feel the cold air from the glaciers tickling your nostrils… Step by step, we'll enter the heart of the park, a symbol and mecca of mountaineering! Arriving at the village of Ailefroide, you'll feel tiny in the face of these immense vertical walls. Let yourself be captivated by the mystical atmosphere and the famous names that resonate in your mind: Dôme de Pelvoux, Glacier Noir, Pré de Madame Carle, or Glacier Blanc…
Enveloped in its thick blanket of snow, the village seems frozen in time, deserted by the many climbers who flock there in summer. But you are not alone! Keep your eyes peeled, you might spot chamois on the slopes, napping in the sun…
On the way back, we'll visit the village of Vallouise to admire its sundials and mountain architecture. History and heritage enthusiasts, don't miss a single word of your guide's explanations.Day 5 -
The Belvedere of the Heads (2,045 m): A perfect ending
- Transportation Minibus - 00h08 - 4km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
For this final day departing from Prey d'Aval (1,550 m), we have a hike planned with a breathtaking panoramic view overlooking L'Argentière-La-Bessée. Perched atop the Têtes peaks, savor these last moments and etch these exceptional images into your memory. You'll be able to take in the Durance Valley, the Fournel Valley, and, weather permitting, the Pelvoux massif all the way to the Glacier Blanc! We promised you, you'll leave with stars in your eyes…
End of stay after the hike
This is where we part ways! But it's only goodbye for now; the Pays des Écrins awaits you for future explorations…
If you came by train: The guide will take you back down to the station by 5:30 pm.
Day 6
Note
Please consider this program a flexible itinerary! Due to variables such as weather, snow conditions, or other factors beyond our control, we may occasionally make adjustments. However, rest assured, our guide is an expert on the mountain range, knowing its every secret, and will strive to guarantee you an exceptional experience.
Please note that the trip from February 8th to 13th is for experienced hikers. It's designed for those who want to hike approximately 6 hours per day and/or climb 500 to 800 meters of elevation gain, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You should participate in a sporting activity 1 to 2 times per week, hike regularly, and be in very good physical condition. The program will be adapted accordingly, and the hikes will be longer.
Accommodation
You will be staying in Puy-Saint-Vincent, in a 2-star Logis de France hotel, located at the gateway to the Écrins National Park , offering exceptional views of the park's iconic peaks and cliffs. Sophie and Jean-François will welcome you in a friendly, family atmosphere and will be available to assist you throughout your stay. In the evenings, you can relax on a sofa by the fireplace, play billiards, table tennis, or table football, or enjoy the private spa (reservations required in the morning for the evening, not included in the room rate), which includes a sauna, a hammam, and a jacuzzi.
Access
Welcome :
See you on Sunday at 7:30 pm at the hotel
Arrival, presentation of the stay and shared meal.
The hotel is located in the place called "Clôt Saint-Romain", about 500 m before the village of Puy-Saint-Vincent (1,400 m).
You will receive a summons on Thursday or Friday before your departure specifying the details of the meeting and various telephone numbers (contact for the guide, the hotel and emergency contact).
Dispersion:
The stay ends on Friday evening after the hike.
For participants arriving by train, the return journey will be with your guide. Arrival at the station is expected around 5:30 pm.
Additional nights possible near the train station
Go to the starting point
Travel by train to L'Argentière Les Ecrins station
Arrive easily from Paris by day or night train. Check the timetables on SNCF Connect. For travelers coming from the south, take the Marseille-Briançon line. Enjoy the simplicity of rail travel to discover this superb destination.
From the train station to the meeting point
Your tour guide will meet you at the train station at 6:45 PM for the transfer to the meeting point. Please note that to organize this transport and guarantee your seat, you must book your transfer at least one week before your trip. As space is limited, any changes must be communicated no later than 48 hours before your departure (i.e., Monday evening at the latest).
Outside of scheduled hours:
Access from L'Argentière-la-Bessée train station to the hotel outside of scheduled hours.
Depending on the time of year, shuttle buses may be available from the train station to Puy St Vincent.
From the north, take the Lautaret Pass via Briançon (RN 94) or Grenoble (RN 94/D902). Alternatively, from Grenoble, take the A51 motorway towards Gap, then the RN94 towards Vallouise/Puy Saint Vincent.
From the south, go via Valence or Sisteron, continue towards Gap, then Embrun, L'Argentière-la-Bessée, Vallouise and finally Puy-Saint-Vincent
"Road conditions" for the Hautes-Alpes department
Regardless of the route you take to reach the Hautes-Alpes in winter, special equipment (snow tires, snow chains or snow socks…) is mandatory from November 1st to March 30th. Practice putting them on before you leave.
To access the Hautes-Alpes department, you can consult the website: https://inforoute.hautes-alpes.fr
Price details
The price includes
- Full board in a ** hotel in a room for 2 (double or twin)
- Supervision by a state-certified mountain guide
- The minibus transfers required for the hiking program
- The provision of snowshoes and poles
- Rental of winter safety equipment (avalanche transceiver + shovel + probe)
- The tourist tax
- Transfer between the train station and the hotel on day 1
The price does not include
- The transfer between the train station and the hotel on day 7
- Drinks and wine during meals
- Access to the sauna, hammam and jacuzzi must be booked upon registration and paid for on site (€13 per 1-hour session).
- Insurance
Options
- Additional night with half-board before the stay - Single room : CHF105.20 / unit
- Additional night with half-board before the stay - Double or twin room : CHF162.83 / unit
- Additional night with half-board after the stay - Single room : CHF105.20 / unit
- Additional night with half-board after your stay - Double or twin room : CHF162.83 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
During the hike, you must have the following documents in your possession:
• Valid identity card or passport.
• Health insurance card.
• Your travel insurance leaflet received upon registration (if you purchased this insurance through our offices) or your personal insurance (contract number + telephone number).
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- For effective winter hiking, we equip you with a pair of TSL snowshoes suited to your size and walking poles for added stability. The snowshoes, fitted with crampons, ensure good grip on hard-packed snow and optimal comfort regardless of snow conditions.
- Safety is our top priority. We provide you with an avalanche transceiver (DVA) to wear, as well as a collapsible shovel and a folding probe to pack in your bag. On the first day, your guide will train you on how to use them during a quick and simple practical exercise.
- With this complete equipment and the expertise of your guide, you can enjoy the winter mountains with complete peace of mind.
Equipment to bring
- Your bag's bottom
- 35/38 litre backpack with waist belt.
- Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support and a Vibram sole. (Absolutely avoid boots and après-ski boots, which are not suitable for snowshoes.)
- 1 pair of high gaiters that cover your shoes and lower legs well
- Thermos or water bottle
- Cup, knife and fork for picnics.
- Race supplies to replenish energy along the way.
- A small waterproof pouch for your valuables such as: cash, ID card, bank card, health insurance card, and assistance contract. You can leave the rest of your documents and car keys at the hotel during your stay.
- Emergency survival blanket.
- Toilet paper with a sealed bag to wrap it up and throw it in the first available bin.
Clothing to bring
Recommended clothing for hiking:
For the upper body, adhering to the three-layer principle is essential to guarantee your comfort and safety throughout your journey:
• Breathable short-sleeved T-shirt: Choose a breathable T-shirt made of hollow fiber to wick away sweat when you are active.
• Fleece jacket: This fleece jacket keeps you warm in cool weather by providing extra thermal insulation.
• Waterproof and breathable windproof jacket (such as Gore-Tex or equivalent): This outer layer effectively protects you against inclement weather such as rain, snow or wind, keeping your body dry and sheltered from the elements.
For your lower body, choose trousers designed for winter walking that are warm and incorporate a waterproof membrane such as Gore-Tex or equivalent. Many major retailers offer this type of product, which is perfectly suited to the conditions.
Adapt your clothing to the weather and activity level. Choose quick-drying garments, avoid cotton which retains moisture, and opt for materials like wool, silk, and synthetic fibers to stay dry and warm. Avoid anoraks and ski suits, which are too warm and bulky.
In addition to the 3 layers, your winter outfit for snowshoeing:
• 1 beanie.
• 1 pair of warm gloves (bring 1 spare pair)
• 1 protective cover for the backpack against bad weather (often integrated into the bags)
• 1 pair of trousers suitable for winter walking incorporating a waterproof membrane (jeans are not allowed as they freeze when wet!)
• 1 pair of warm underwear or leggings (these can also be used for the evening in the refuge)
• 2 pairs of high, warm hiking socks suitable for walking
• 1 pair of category 3 to 4 sunglasses
They traveled with us
