Chamonix Valley Snowshoe Week Excursion
7-night snowshoe trek exploring the famous Chamonix valley
Cloud 9 Adventure is a small independent adventure travel company run by Emma Jack. They offer expert guiding services in and around Chamonix Valley.
The Chamonix Valley is a beautiful place to snowshoe, and on the Chamonix Snowshoe Week you'll be able to fully explore this stunning area. No previous snowshoeing experience is needed, but participants should have a reasonable level of fitness and have experience of day hikes.
On this trip you will be based at the fantastic Yeti Lodge in Argentière, at the higher end of the Chamonix Valley. The Lodge has a sauna, hot tub and beautiful views of the Mont Blanc Massif, where you will enjoy traditional chalet hospitality. The chalet is full board and they will send you off with a lovely breakfast and packed lunches each day. On one evening you will eat out in Argentiere. On one night you will stay in a mountain refuge, usually the Grand St Bernard Monastery. Find the full itinerary below.
These trips run from the end of December through to March and last one week.
What's included
This package includes:
- Transport in the Chamonix valley
- Snowshoes, poles and avalanche safety equipment
Worth knowing
Itinerary as follows:
- Day 1 - Arrive in Argentière and team briefing
- Day 2 - Around Chamonix, learn how to use your avalanche equipment and walk to the Chalets de Chailloux
- Day 3 - Ascent of Mont de l'Arpille, Switzerland with transfer to Ravoire and hike via the Mont de l'Arpille
- Day 4 - Vallorcine and the Alpage de Loriaz
- Day 5 - The Tête Noire with transfer to Sallanches
- Day 6 - The Grand St Bernard Monastery and night in the refuge
- Day 7 - Return to Argentière via the Col Ouest de Barasson
- Day 8 - Departure Day
Instructors & teachers
Emma Jack
Emma is a qualified IML (International Mountain Leader) and has been leading treks and expeditions for the last 17 years. The Tour du Mont Blanc trek is one of her specialities and this year she is set to complete her 50th TMB circuit. Emma has led trips all over the world, and cites Nepal as her overall favourite. A passionate skier, in 2009 she made the first ski descent of Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world (8156m). Fluent in French, Russian and Spanish, she also works as an interpreter and loves to chat.
Emily Andrew
Also a qualified IML, Emily has many years' leading experience. Based in Chamonix, she's no stranger to the Tour du Mont Blanc; but also enjoys travelling further afield and has recently led trips to Alaska, Norway, Kilimanjaro and Nepal. Emily is a full-time English and Geography teacher, and we just don't understand how she finds the time to stay so fit! When she's not working, she can be found trail running, road biking and ski touring, and this year she competed in the CCC and the Etape du Tour. Despite claiming to do no training, she notches up some pretty fast times and is certainly one of their fittest leaders.
Gary Daines
A qualified International Mountain Leader, Gary is based in Sallanches and guides many of their snowshoeing and trekking trips both in the Chamonix area and further afield. He is also an accredited Duke of Edinburgh Award assessor, and this winter he has been training and assessing their Jura snowshoe groups. In addition to having a brilliant laugh most of the time, Gary is also capable of being serious and we love his philosophical approach. It makes him a both a wonderful leader for Cloud 9's adult groups and an inspirational teacher for their youth groups.
Lindsay Cannon
A qualified International Mountain Leader, Cross-Country Ski Instructor, Yoga Teacher & Trail Cycle Leader, Lindsay puts the rest of us to shame: and she's also pretty handy on a mountain bike! Linsday is bubbly, brimming with enthusiasm and energy, and you may recognise her from the many BBC wildlife and environmental progammes she presents in her spare time. Lindsay has been exploring the Alps for the last 20 years - she not only knows every nook and cranny of the Tour du Mont Blanc and Chamonix area, but is an expert on some of their lesser-known trails such as their Snowshoe Traverse of the Chablais and their Wild Tuscany hikes.
Pablo Herráez
A qualified International Mountain Leader and Aspirant Mountain Guide, Pablo is an excellent guide and leader and has quite a following! Pablo is originally from Spain, but came to the Alps to pursue his passion for the mountains. He's not bad at Spanish, and his English and French are pretty good too!
