Nordic Activities
Don your Lycra all-in-one and try out some Nordic skiing.
Or slip on your snowshoes and experience Chamonix from a different perspective.
Husky Sledding
A fabulous day for the kids - and just as much fun for the “big kids” too!
Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland as you head out with your own husky sleigh, journeying through breathtaking mountain scenery.
Wrapped head to toe in warm clothes, gloves, sunnies, and wearing a good pair of hiking/snowboarding shoes (we’re afraid the Uggs will have to stay at home), you’ll traverse the scenic routes of Le Tour.
There are two options - you can either drive your own sledge or travel as a passenger with a musher. The mushers can take one adult, or one adult and a child, or two children as long as the combined passenger weight is no more than 80kg. And don’t worry, if you’re driving your own sled, you’ll learn how to do it before you set off!
Available times
There are 4 sessions every Wednesday from mid December to the end of March, weather depending, plus extra days during New Year and School holidays. Sessions are at 09:45 / 10:45 / 13:45 / 14:45 and last approximately 45 mins.
Book now or contact us for more information.
Handy hints from Mountain Base
- You need to have a reasonable level of fitness, as you will be jogging alongside the huskies to help them get going!
- Children will be supplied a blanket, but please ensure they’re wrapped up warm.
- This is understandably popular, so please book well in advance.
book husky sledding
Prices:
DRIVER SLED
75€ per person
Minimum age of 8
MUSHER SLED
90€ per sled
An adult must accompany children under the age of 8, minimum age 3 years old.
Snowshoe
Winding your way slowly uphill to secluded forest spots, past frozen waterfalls and breathing the crisp winter’s air: Chamonix snowshoeing at its finest.
Snowshoeing really does let you see the magic of Chamonix from a completely different perspective. Even hardened off-piste snowboarders are suddenly waking up to its charms!
Private Snowshoe Hikes - hire a guide to show you the best of Chamonix's hidden charms and secret places.
These trips are tailor made to suit you; full day, half day, down in the valley or high up in the mountains. You may even find yourself crossing borders as we venture over into Switzerland or Italy! For a real adventure we recommend the Mer de Glace experience, a full day of traversing one of Europe's most legendary glaciers.
Weekly Snowshoe Trips - join one of our weekly snowshoe hikes and discover Chamonix from a different perspective every Monday and Tuesday.
These snowshoe hikes run every week throughout the winter whether we have just one client or a large group, so you're not dependent on numbers to book a place. Prices are charged per client, regardless of group size, and includes snowshoes, walking poles, avalanche transceivers, transport to/from your accommodation and the services of a fully qualified IML (International Mountain Guide).
Mondays are half-day hikes and not too strenuous; you could find yourself trekking through the Berard Valley, taking in the stunning views from the summit of Le Prarion or exploring the trails that wind through the pine forests all along the Chamonix valley.
Tuesdays are a full day and may involve a bit more effort - you should be fit enough to manage walking uphill at a gentle pace for a few hours. It'll be worth it though when you find yourself traversing the spectacular Aiguillette des Houches or enjoying your lunch break at a mountain hut.
Do you want to head off on a real adventure? We can organise a multi-day trip - either a short-break with 3-4 days in and around the Chamonix Valley, or if you like the idea of a complete journey, we can do a snowshoe traverse of the Chablais in 6 days, finishing at Lake Geneva.
Price on request, please contact us for more information
Moonlit Snowshoe Walk
Experience an exciting snowshoe walk under the stars. We pick you up from your accommodation, take you on a magical moonlight adventure and then we enjoy dinner at a traditional mountain restaurant.
Price on request, please contact us for more information
Snow Monkeys
Snowshoe adventures for children aged from 4 to 8 years old. Let them experience all the fun of the mountains with snowshoe hikes, animal spotting, orienteering, igloo building and more under the guidance of qualified mountain leaders. They can join in for full days (lunch included) or half days (with or without lunch).
Handy hints from Mountain Base
- Go with your friends - they’ll love it and there's no experience required, so everyone can join in!
- This is a great activity for non skiers, you'll get to see parts of the valley that you would never get to on skis or snowboard.
- Full day hikes do not include lunch, you will either need to bring a picnic or some money to buy food (maybe in a mountain refuge or high altitude restaurant) - your guide will advise you of the day's plans when you book.
- You may need to purchase a lift pass, your guide will advise you beforehand.
Book now or contact us to find out more
Biathlon Day
Combine a snowshoe race with rifle shooting – a fun and competitive activity that’s great for groups of friends. As well as rivals!
Biathlon sounds daunting but you don’t need to be super fit for this one, just in good health and game for a laugh.
Book now or contact us to find out more
Handy hints from Mountain Base
- This is a great activity for colleagues on a work trip, or a group of competitive friends - hold a prize giving afterwards to up the incentive!
Nordic Skiing
Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing or ski de fond. Whatever you want to call it, one thing’s for sure, it’s great fun and a brilliant winter workout.
There are numerous trails throughout the valley and are graded, like downhill skiing, into green, blue, red and black.
There are two styles of cross-country skiing, "classic" or "skating" - get to grips with the basics and find out which suits you best with a cross-country ski lesson. You can either join a group for a half-day session, or book a private class for anything from 2 hours to a full day.
Equipment hire and trail passes are much cheaper than for normal skiing, so investing in a lesson or two is a great way to get off to a flying start.
Handy hints from Mountain Base
- Hire your equipment from Hurycana - one of our rental partners
- Take a private guide along for those special tips and sourcing the best routes
- Don’t forget your all-in-one lycra – you’ve got to look the part
book a nordic ski lessoncross-country ski map
Prices
(per person in a group of 6-8 adults)
1 x 2 hour session : 32€
6 x 2 hour session : 130€
Private sessions and children's lessons also available, please enquire for prices and availability.
Mountain Courses
Why not include some education into your break away, and become more aware about the risks and warning signs of being in the beautiful snow covered playground that we escape into every day.
Avalanche Awareness - Half Day: Great for both skiers and snowboarders alike who venture into the off-piste without too much thought or knowledge of the safety implications, or how to spot what to avoid. In just 4 hours you can learn rescue techniques and study the snow mantle, on site and in the mountains where all the action happens.
Mountain Safety - Full Day: This fantastic 1 day course covers mountain safety, including glacial terrain and crevasse rescue, relevant for both skiers and snowboarders.
Book now or contact us to find out more
Handy hints from Mountain Base
- Don't forget to take your transceiver, shovel and probe if you have one. A great chance to brush up on and learn new skills. If you don't already have one, you'll definitely want to invest after these eye openers!
Photography & Discovery Walks
Experience the "real" Chamonix with a guided walk around the back streets and footpaths of the valley; meet local craftsmen, taste typical Alpine produce and see Chamonix from a whole other perspective.
Your guided tour will give you a "backstage pass" to the parts of Chamonix that most people never see - either in an open group or in a one-to-one private guided tour.
Budding and experienced photographers will benefit from the expert tuition of Teresa Kaufman, a professional human interest photographer who has featured in many international publications. She'll help you capture the most stunning images and different perspectives of the village and mountains.
You don't need to have a fancy camera to take part, even just a mobile phone will do; everyone is welcome and the walks are designed to give you a unique insight into the life and traditions of the Chamonix valley.
Click here to read more about Photography & Discovery Walks