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