How much snow for snowshoeing?

After the terrible snow barron season last year it is hard to believe that between Friday night & Saturday morning nearly a meter of snow fell in the Chamonix valley, the largest dump in one go since 1999.

Check out the amount of snow on this chalet roof as we Snowshoed past on Tuesday on our return to the valley after a tough day breaking trail above Megeve to the summit of Petit Croisse Baulet.

Snowshoeing in the French Alps

Good news for the snowshoeing, an amazing amount of snow has fallen in and around the Chamonix Valley this season. In one evening alone 100cm fell overnight this has made it hard work breaking trail with this weeks snowshoers but it gas been worth it.

Take advantage of the excellent conditions for more information visit www.montblanctreks.com/winter

Snowshoeing and snowshoe European hotspots in

This weeks hotspots for snowshoeing day treks in and around Mont Blanc were:

1. Chalets d'Ayeres from Plaine Joux
2. Petit Croisse Baulet from Megeve
3. Tour du Mont- Refuge de Balme from Contamines

Stunning weather provided views to die for, routes well tracked out but snow still soft in places despite no new snow for 2 weeks.

See photos @: 'montblanctreks' Flickr

Snowshoeing in the Berard Valley

Skies clear above Les Granges

Another snowy day in the Chamonix Valley and with poor visibility on the mountain it's time to find an alternative to skiing. Snowshoeing is an all mountain weather activity, regardless of the conditions you can always find somewhere to go, a sheltered spot away from it all. Its also a great activity to do with kids after the initial moan they usually have great fun.





Sunday was just that kind of day so we headed towards the French Swiss boarder and the little village of Buet for a half days snowshoeing. Leaving the warmth & comfort of the minibus there was a biting wind as we 'kitted up'. We moved quickly past the little ski runs of La Poya and headed on up into the shelter of the Berard valley. This beautiful secluded valley leads you to the nature reserve of the Aiguille Rouges. We follow the frozen river up through the narrow gorge and leave the valley at the bridge Freda, from here we head up above the Rochers des xx through snow layden alpine woodland to find a little opening perfect for our hot chocolate stop.

Continuing onwards we arrive the alpage of Les Granges overlooking the valley of Valorcine. Time for some 'extreme snowshoeing' (throwing themselves of boulders into the deep snow) before making our descent back to Buet via Couteray.

Its hard to believe getting of on a day like it was could prove to be so much !

More on snowshoeing & snowshoeing holidays at: www.montblancteks.com

Berard Valley

Winter 2011/12

Winter 2011/12, a set on Flickr.

After the late arrival of the snow winter snowshoeing in the alps has never had it so good!

Snowshoe at Les Houches

After the massive amount of snow over the past two weeks we headed out again on a local snowshoe at Les Houches. We took the Prarion lift up to 1853 mtrs put on our snowshoes and disappeared away from the pistes into the trees and beyond.

The snow was deep and powdery and for those at the front (me) it was hard going breaking trail with snowshoes through the untracked snow. We headed down through the trees and onto to a track leading to the Ferme de Charme which sells fantastic cheeses during the summer months.

Following the snow laden tree line we descended a further 300 mts towards the picturesque remote alpine hamlet of Bionnassay. Bionnassay is accessed by road from the Contamines valley and although could be easily linked into the Les Houches ski area chooses not to thus remaining unspoiled and a hidden gem.

Picking up the summer Tour du Mont Blanc path we headed back towards the Col de Vozacrossing the 'Tramway du Mont Blanc' rail track en route. The rack & pinion tramway brings tourists, skiiers & climbers up the mountain from St Gervais, in summer reaching 2372 mts at the Nid d'Aigle & in winter to the Col du Voza 1653 mts giving access to the Les Houches ski pistes. The train also provides access to the main route up Mont Blanc in summer taking climbers up high before they start their ascent.

No trains running from St Gervais to Col de Voza at the moment although we did manage to come across what looked to be an abandoned carriage and cab with a snow plough on the front.

From the col we followed the snow covered track past the newly restored Hotel Bellevue featured in our 2011 May blog, now complete but still not open due to planning issues.

The buvette (snack bar) and hot chocolate made for a welcome end to our Les Houches snowshoe with an easy descent via the Bellevue telepherique.

A great half day out! for more snowshoe information see www.montblanctreks.com/snowshoeing and visit our winer page for Mont Blanc Treks snowshoe holidays

Snowshoeing Servoz to Plaine Joux

After a great visibility snowshoe day at Les Houches the day before we were faced with a bit of a dilemma of where to go for the second day of snowshoeing as the weather was very different indeed.

Ewen was on a New Year chalet ski holiday with family staying at Chalet Prarion & Chamonix Exclusive. He had had an Judo accident in October which had left his knee badly damaged and in need of an operation which was planned for the New Year. He was unable to ski but wanted to get out and do something to maintain his fitness and strengthen his knee.

Snowshoeing is the perfect exercise for this kind of scenario giving you cardiovascular training whilst building muscle strength, ascending and descending and by the resistance caused by walking through snow.

We headed to Servoz & parked up at Les Barbolets @ 990 mts. Climbing up through alpine woodland we were well protected from the falling snow we arrived at Lac Vert for a welcome hot chocolate. Continuing up we left the tree line at Chatelet and found ourselves in white out conditions as we approached the pretty alpage of Les Mollays 1600 mts. From here on better days you can enjoy fabulous views of the Mont Blanc Range but not today!

Given the conditions, poor visibility and high avalanche risk we avoided traversing under the Rochers des Fiz and instead headed for the little ski area of Plaine Joux. A quick stop for a pic-nic lunch at Barmus & finished the last of the hot chocolate before continuing on our way heading off into the mist. Keeping away from the piste as much as possible we completed a little circuit before arriving back at Lac Vert.

By this time the cloud had begin to lift and for our last descent back to Serviz Ewen was treated to views stretching back towards the Chamonix Valley to the right and the Valley d'Arve to the left.

Despite the weather I think & hope a good day was had by all with a well deserved glass of wine and a soak in the hot tub at Chalet Prarion for.

For more information on winter trekking & snowshoeing visit Mont Blanc Treks website.

For more information on Chalet Prarion & Chamonix Exclusive chalet holidays visit www.chamonixexclusive.com

Snowshoe review

Snowshoes have been designed to distribute the weight of the person over a larger area so your feet do not sink to deeply into the snow and float higher in the snowpack (flotation) when snowshoeing.

Snowshoes today have come a long way from the traditional hardwood frame with leather laces.These days modern snowshoes are manufactured using lightweight and strong materials and are designed to fit and adjust easily to any shoe size with an articulated binding allowing more maneuverability over undulating terrain when out snowshoeing. You will find each of the major manufacturers MSR, Tubbs, TSL & Redfeather offer a vast range of snowshoes on offer for all sorts of applications and snow conditions.

Snowshoes on test:

MSR EVO

MSR provide really good quality snowshoes at a comparable price we tried the Evo, which is an all terrain snowshoe that has a compact design with great traction on all slopes tested. Binding: The design of the binding is now much better than previous models, which used to be time consuming to put on or off. They have simplified the design and replaced the fiddly buckles with a clip system that it easy to adjust in snowy cold conditions. Base: The base is simplistic and durable that has good flotation. No problem with build up of snow. Heal raiser: Basic yet totally functional metal arm that locks into position to make it easier when on steeper terrain. Traction: Excellent traction on all gradients with front toe points and side rail grips.

Rating: 8/10

TSL Snowshoes

Being based in the Haute Savoie we have tested 3 TSL models as they are manufactured locally. TSL manufacture a vast range of snowshoes from childrens and beginners to expert all mountain.

TSL Tech 25

The TSL Tech 25 is a more advanced snowshoe for all mountain use. When tested we thought it was a little cumbersome and weighty because of the metal frame. The Tech 25 has a metal frame, plastic mounted binding and vinyl fabric base. Binding: Good sturdy durable binging that is easily adjustable. The buckles fasten up and tighten easily even with gloves on. Base: Vinyl fabric base stretched and attached to the metal base, this gives good flotation in deep powder although I found it got clogged up easily with snow this meant keep stopping to clear the base. Heal raiser: Easy to operate metal bar. Traction: Excellent traction on all gradients with front toe points and side rail grips.

Rating: 6/10

TSL 305 Escape

A basic snowshoe, which is easy to use and inexpensive to buy. Base: Plastic molded base, which is durable and lightweight, which gives reasonable flotation. No problem with snow build up. Heal raiser: Metal bar that swings over to raise the heal, easy to operate even in snow. Traction: The 305 uses spiked toe points for grip when ascending with additional metal points on the base, which doesn’t give quite as much grip as the Tech 25 but is still adequate.A basic snowshoe, which is easy to use and inexpensive to buy. Binding: The 305 uses a binding that appears on many of the TSL snowshoes, it is a really good design that adjusts easily for different shoe sizes and the straps and buckles fasten easily even with gloves.

Rating: 9/10

TSL 325 Escape Easy

This is a very similar snowshoe as the 305 with subtly differences with the binding & heal raiser. Binding: The 325 Easy uses a binding that appears on many of the TSL snowshoes, it is a really good design that adjusts easily for different shoe sizes the straps are fabric webbing with buckles similar to those used on rucksacks, there are a little more difficult to initially set up and tighten on the move. Base: Plastic molded base, which is durable and lightweight, which gives reasonable flotation. No problem with snow build up. Heal raiser: This is one aspect that in my view is poor, the heal raiser is molded plastic anddoesn’t feel as robust andthe metal bar versions it is also more fiddly to operate when out in the snow. Traction: As the 305 the 325 uses spiked toe points for grip when ascending with additional metal points on the base, which doesn’t give quite as much grip as the Tech 25 but is still adequate.

Rating: 7/10

Tubbs Flex

A simplistic design that is good value for money. Binding: Very simple to use idea but a bit tricky to get a good tight fit on the boot especially on the heal. The front of the binding adjusts so you can slide your foot in and then there is a ratchet clip that allows you to tighten. The heal strap seems a little insecure in comparison to the front. Base: The base is simplistic and durable that has good flotation. No problem with build up of snow. Heal raiser: Metal bar which is easy to use even in deep snow. Traction: The Tubbs Flex uses spiked toe points for grip when ascending with additional metal points on the base, which works reasonably well.

Rating: 7/10

Redfeather Hike 22

A nice looking snowshoe that looks similar to the TSL Tech 25. As with the Tech 25 it’s a little bit weighty. Binding: Similar system of that of the Tubbs Flex but not as good. Tricky to set up with the use of webbing and the heal strap doesn’t feel secure. Base: Vinyl fabric base stretched and attached to the metal base, this gives good flotation in deep powder although as with the Tech 25 there was a problem with snow clogging which became a pain after a while. Heal raiser: No heal raiser, which was a disadvantage on the ups. Traction: As with most of the other snowshoes tested the Hike 22 uses spiked toe points for grip when ascending with additional metal points on the base which works reasonably well.

Rating: 6/10

If you have any information on any different makes & models of snowshoes that you have tried & tested please let us know we would be glad to publish further reviews. Email any information to sara@montblanctreks.com or post a comment below.

Need to now more about snowshoeing? Check out our 'Snowshoe Information' page.