A superb two centre week over the festive season offering some of the best of the Mercantour.

Saint Dalmas le Selvage is in the Gialorgues valley and is truly a village at the end of the universe.

This area of the Mercantour has more than just a hint of the scenery of Montana and is an unspoilt and special place to spend a break.

Stay in the Maison de l’Etoile which is a cosy inn run by Alexandra and Patrice. The auberge sits in the heart of the Saint Dalmas’ cobbled streets.

After a fantastic day out on the hill, the couple regale you with a menu with more than just a hint of Patrice’s home country, Morocco. Vegetarians are happily catered for, and on New Year's Eve we can look forward to a superb traditional dinner.

Valdeblore, a glorious high alpine valley sits just below the col that separates the Tineé and the Vésubie valleys in the heart of the Mercantour National Park.

At Le Grand Chalet, you'll savour the best of Christine's home cooking, and it's ideally situated as a base for the rest of the week's walking and snowshoeing.

Testimonials

I would encourage people to just book regardless of their experience and fitness, as Mel and Liz were great at adapting it to our individual needs. Also, I would not hesitate going on your own - I did and felt so welcome and comfortable.
Alex Layard – Winter Activity Feb 2007

Season

New Year only

Departures to date

27th December to 3rd January 2009

Pricing

Hotel or Chambre d'Hote full board - £695

For non-standard periods and programmes, contact us to discuss the options. Read about our flexible way of working.

Walking Grades

grade

Your Accommodation

Gîte

What's included

Itinerary

• Day 1 Dec 27 Arrive in Nice (pick up time dependant on various guests’ arrival times).  Transfer to Saint Dalmas le Selvage (90 minutes) by 4 to 5 pm – settle in, welcome and dinner.
• Day 2 Dec 28 Snow shoe up through the Vallon Gialorgues and return via the Bois de Ville – a beautiful walk through pine forest, tranquil and lots of animal tracks to investigate.
• Day 3 Dec 29 Ski lift from Auron to the summit of Bas Donnas and snow shoe at high level the bowl of Auron.  The ski resort at Auron sits at 1700 metres, and the ski lift takes us up to 2,470 metres, and the snow shoe around the upper reaches of the resort offers fantastic views of the high Alpes-Maritimes all around.  Evening – New Years Eve dinner.
• Day 4 Dec 30 Snow shoe up to the summit of Tête de Vinaigre, a peak just north of St Dalmas le Selvage, we follow the GR5 to col de la Colombières, and then on to the summit from there with the beautiful and lonely Ubaye Valley just to the North.
• Day 5 Dec 31 Transfer to Valdeblore (50 minutes), and snowshoe up to the ridge above the Vésubie valley and the Baus de la Frema.  Evening – settle in at Le Grand Chalet, and evening meal with Luc and Christine.
• Day 6 Jan 1 Start at Le Boréon, and follow the Salèse valley and up to Les Adus.  A steady climb through larch forest, and then up and above the tree line to the charming small hanging valley of Les Adus.
• Day 7 Jan 2   La Madone de Fenestre and the Lac des Prals circuit.  Surrounded by the highest peaks and ridges in the Alpes Maritimes, if time allows us to gain the ridge above the Lac des Prals, we get stunning views down to the Mediterranean coast.
• Day 8 Jan 3   Transfer back to Nice.  Time depends on guests flight departure times.

Suitable for

Your welfare & protection