Vanoise Snowshoeing Weeks

Itinerary

Saturday

Arrival at Geneva airport where I will there be meet you.  Settle into the hotel and then we will meet for a short briefing.  Now it’s time to sample the fine cooking at the Hotel Grand Bec***.

Sunday

A very brief transfer to the start today’s snowshoe walk. We soon leave Pralognan behind us and wend our way through snow-draped pine trees to the chalets of Choliere.

Our onward route takes us past some cross-country ski trails below the towering mountains and the river Doron.  We continue up the valley, gaining height slowly, before arriving at the hamlet of Prioux.  Maybe a chance for a quick snack or warm drink from a thermos whilst drinking in the amazing views. We walk alongside the river banks covered in snow before crossing the river on a footbridge.  Depending on how time and inclination we may be able to reach the Refuge Roc de la Peche. After our picnic lunch we will retrace our steps with outstanding views towards the summits of the Grande Casse and the Grand Bec.

Monday

A short walk through the village of Pralognan brings us to the first of two chairlifts.  The first ski lift takes us up to Les Fontanettes.  Just next door is the start of the second chairlift that whisks us up to Les Barmettes.  Here we will put on our snowshoes for today’s adventure. We cross a snow-covered bridge before a gentle walk takes us past alpine chalets. We now enter the Vanoise National Park and follow the line of the “Route du Sel”, an ancient trading route through the mountains to Italy. The slope steepens and we will head for the Lac des Vaches under the imposing Aiguille de la Vanoise.  Approaching the Lac des Vaches the slopes become more gentle.  The Lac des Vaches is hidden under a thick blanket of snow with the Grande Casse dominating the view in front of us.

Should conditions allow we may carry on to reach a point overlooking Lac Long or even as far as the Col de la Vanoise and the refuge. Our descent follows the same route and hopefully we will have a chance to appreciate some powder snow on the way down.  We will take the two chairlifts to return to Pralognan.

Tuesday

Today we will explore another valley, the beautiful hanging valley of Champagny-le-Haut.  Our transfer takes us through the village of Champagny-en-Vanoise before a narrow road winds up to bring us to today’s venue. After parking the car we and putting on our snowshoes we can explore the snow-covered hamlet of Le Bois.  Crossing the cross-country ski tracks we make our way up the valley.  Eyes are peeled on the slopes above as we are almost certain to see ibex or even chamois.  Alongside the stream now we arrive at the tiny hamlet of Friburge nestled tightly under the cliffs.  We may visit the wood carver who is the only year round inhabitant. Leaving Friburge we weave our way along the river bank, on the far side steep open slopes lead up to high cliffs that dominate the valley.  More ibex may well be observed.  Soon we will arrive at the hamlet of Laisonnay where we will find a spot for our picnic. In the afternoon we will retrace our steps before following the left bank of the river back towards Le Bois. Leaving the hotel we pass the small village of Champagny and into the hanging valley of Champagny-le-Haut for a walk in a magnificent setting.

Wednesday

100 metres from the hotel we put on our snowshoes.  Gaining height gradually we reach the edge of the woods.  Here we follow the line of summer paths that zig-zag up through high pine woods.  Perhaps we will see the tracks of deer or perhaps a squirrel.  We continue climbing and the trees become smaller with amazing views out over the top of the village of Pralognan.  Across the valley the high summits of the Vanoise, the Grande Casse and the Grand Bec. Should conditions and inclination combine we may reach the chalet of La Montagne nestling beneath the ridge of the Dent du Villard.  We will find a nice picnic spot and draw sustenance from the incredible views.

Thursday

Above the village of Bozel is the little hamlet of Tincave.  We snowshoe up through open ground with the ski resort of Courchevel across the valley.  Continuing up we reach the hamlet of Le Pre before entering woods.  The path continues until we reach the Plan de l’Allee and a great spot for our picnic lunch.

Friday

A very short drive takes us below the hamlet of Chamberanger.  We can gain height through well-spaced sycamore trees and pass an “oratoire” before reaching the hamlet.  Continuing through the snow covered alpine pastures we occasionally pass through pine trees as we gain height. Another hamlet appears, that of Plan Fournier, deserted in the winter.  As we continue eventually we clear the trees and reach the chalets of Plan Fournier dessus and a wonderful spot to enjoy our picnic.

Saturday

Transfer to Geneva airport after breakfast.