Enjoy the charm of a chalet in the mountains in winter during this snowshoe stay in the heart of the Ariège Pyrenees. Guided by a qualified mountain guide, you will live an unforgettable adventure in a magical and exotic atmosphere.

Your snowshoe stay in Ariège

Your adventure begins in the town of Vicdessos, now called Val-de-Sos, less than 15 km from the Spanish border. Depending on weather conditions, the meeting place is subject to change. In this case, the monitor tells you the new starting point in advance.

The meeting is fixed at 9:00 a.m. Your guide warmly welcomes you and provides you with snowshoes and poles.

Program of the stay

Day 1 — Balcony on the Pyrenees (6 km – 550 m D+)

During the first day, you follow your guide on the snowshoe trails to reach the mountain chalet. You have the choice between several destinations according to your level and your preferences.

The 2 most easily accessible chalets can be reached by snowshoes or by car and are respectively at 900 m and 1,300 m above sea level. The first is in a valley, while the second is on the edge of a pond.

At 1,400 m and 1,550 m, you can reach 2 other chalets that can only be reached on foot. The first requires a 5 km walk in a forest of fir trees. The second is accessible after a short snowshoe hike of 1 to 2 km on a high plateau.

You arrive at the chalet in the middle of the morning to drop off your belongings, then you reach the mountain pass at an altitude of 1,800 m. At the top, you discover an exceptional point of view on the Chain of the Pyrenees. The guide invites you to take your picnic from your backpack facing this grandiose panorama of snowy landscapes.

In the afternoon, you begin your descent to the chalet. A mountain meal awaits you there to celebrate the end of this first day full of emotions.

Day 2 — Frozen pond (9 km – 400 m D+)

After a comfortable night in the mountain lodge, you get up at dawn. During this new day, you take a snowshoe walk to reach an icy pond nestled in the mountains. Your guide takes advantage of this outing to teach you trapper techniques. These are very useful in the mountains during the winter period.

At noon, you enjoy a picnic made up of local products in the heart of nature. The stay ends at 4:00 p.m. for the 2-day formula.

Day 3 — Program of your choice

The program for the 3rd day varies according to the desires of your group. The supervisor suggests various snowshoe hikes around the Ariège mountains. For example, you can build igloos on a snow-covered plateau, visit frozen lakes or climb the surrounding Ariège mountains.

The 3-day stay ends at the end of the afternoon when you return to Val-de-Sos.

Level and prerequisites

Technical level 3/5: medium

This excursion in Ariège is for hikers capable of covering 500 m of elevation gain per day.

Vertigo apprehension 1/3: low

The routes taken may include some passages on the mountainside open to the valley with snow-covered slopes of less than 30°.

Group & EVJF/EVG

Packages with accommodation are available to groups of up to 12 people. This snowshoe outing is therefore ideal for large families or for groups of friends looking for thrills. Do you want to privatize your stay with your loved ones? Private hikes are guaranteed from 4 participants.

Gift box & pictures

During your stay, you will have the opportunity to photograph magnificent natural settings. Remember to bring your camera and an empty memory card.

Want to offer this stay to a loved one? Order your original gift box now.