Overview
For a five day, privately-guided snowshoe tour, Chamonix Valley is a perfect location, based in the traditional mountain spa town of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, or Les Contamines-Montjoie. With three full days of snowshoeing, some of the most terrific winter trails include Vallorcine Valley, a trail around Megève, and into the heart of Val Montjoie, following the Bon-Nant River. All with superb views across to the Aravis mountain range and towards Mont Blanc. This is a world away from downhill skiing and packed pistes, with an expert guide to lead the way throughout. As winter conditions vary from day to day, the itineraries may change accordingly.
- Chamonix
- Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
- Aiguille du Midi
- Mont Blanc
- Sunset snowshoeing
- Val Montjoie
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
Arrive in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, an Alpine town known for its Belle Époque architecture, thermal baths and mountain views. Spend some time exploring the town, visiting the baroque church of Église Saint-Nicolas de Véroce, or relaxing at Les Thermes de Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc. Alternatively, take the train to nearby Chamonix, the gateway to Mont Blanc. The evening includes a short meeting with your guide to discuss routes and itineraries.
- Accommodation: La Féline Blanche or similar in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains or Les Contamines-Montjoie
Day 2: Megève circular route | 14km
There is a short transfer to Megève to begin a circular route towards Petit Croisse Baulet, following a ridge between the Aravis Range and Mont Blanc. The trail heads through forest and meadows before arriving at more open ground with clear views in all directions. Continue towards Combloux, a village between Megève and Sallanches, where the route begins to gradually climb, offering views of Mont Blanc, the Fiz Massif, L’aiguille de Varan and Pointe Percée in the Aravis Range, before returning via the same route back to Megève.
- Walking for the day: 14km, ↓↑650m
Day 3: Chamonix circular route | 5km
A scenic train ride (payable locally) through the Chamonix valley brings you to Le Buet in Vallorcine, known as the Valley of the Bears. From here, the route heads through snowy larch meadows and passes through the hamlet of La Poya, then on to Cascade de Bérard waterfall. After returning via the same route, take the train (payable locally) to Chamonix, where, depending on weather conditions, you can either take the cable car to Aiguille du Midi (clear day plan) or the Montenvers cogwheel train (payable locally) to Mer de Glace (bad weather alternative). This evening, there’s a sunset snowshoeing hike to a yurt for a fondue dinner.
- Walking for the day: 5km, ↓↑250m, sunset route 3km, ↓↑100m
Day 4: Val Montjoie circular route | 12km
Today’s route heads through the heart of Val Montjoie, following the Bon-Nant River, which is fed by the Tré‑la‑Tête and Armancette glaciers. Beginning in Les Contamines-Montjoie, the route goes to Refuge des Prés, a mountain hut in the Réserve naturelle nationale des Contamines-Montjoie, a perfect lunch stop with great views. Retrace your steps back to Les Contamines before returning to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains for your final evening.
- Walking for the day: 12km, ↓↑750m
Day 5: Departure
Departure after breakfast. If you have time, we recommend a trip to Les Thermes de Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc to unwind, or spend some additional days in either Saint-Gervais or Chamonix.
What to expect
Accommodation
Standard accommodation for this trip is in a three-star hotel in Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains. The hotel has been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria, including location, warm hospitality, fine local food and commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms
Click to view sample hotel
- La Féline Blanche (Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide you with the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from some hotels the night before. Dinner is available from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This trip is rated moderate (read more about difficulty grades) and is suitable for people with a good level of fitness, with most days varying between 5-12km, made more challenging by the snowy terrain. The routes can be catered slightly to both the weather conditions and your ability.
We will provide detailed route notes and maps (in digital format) and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from December to April and you can start your trip on any date within the season. Please be aware that snow conditions in the region can vary, so the standard routes listed may need to be adjusted accordingly. In rare instances, it may be possible that the snow levels are too low to be able to offer snowshoeing; in these cases, the routes will be replaced with suitable winter hikes, which may require crampons or microspikes.
The climate in the Mont Blanc Massif in winter is alpine, characterised by cold, snowy conditions and occasional storms. The most preferable conditions for snowshoeing are typically found from January to March, when snow cover is usually reliable. During December and April, snow can be more variable, especially at lower elevations, so it’s advisable to check conditions each day before heading out.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Genève Aéroport (GVA).
By train or bus
- Train: if you are able to travel to France without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with a train station in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet. For more details, see the national rail operator SNCF Connect or use the Omio planner above. From Gare SNCF de Saint‑Gervais‑les‑Bains‑Le Fayet, take the Y84 bus to Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains.
- Shuttle bus: there are multiple shuttle services from Geneva Airport to Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains or Chamonix. We recommend Mountain Drop-offs
- Car: free but unguarded parking is available in Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains and Les Contamines-Montjoie.
- Taxi: from Geneva airport, a taxi for one to eight people is approximately €300. Private transfers can be booked through us upon request
Inclusions
Included
- 4 nights accommodation in a three-star hotel
- 4 breakfasts
- Sunset snowshoeing experience, including a fondue dinner in a yurt
- Aiguille du Midi cable car tickets (or Montenvers and Mer de Glace tickets in case of bad weather)
- Expert guidance from a local mountain guide throughout the tour
- Snowshoes and poles
- Digital Tour materials: detailed roadbook including maps (digital format), a navigation app for smartphones, GPS tracks. Please note that no printed documents will be provided on-site.
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- International flights and land transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Public transport fees and lift passes
- Tourist tax
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Additional travel-related changes in the programme due to bad weather
- Entrance fees for attractions not listed as included
- Personal expenses
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Sunset snowshoeing hike to an igloo instead of yurt
- Extra nights
