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