walking & adventure holidays

Come and enjoy the most fun you can have in the white stuff.

For lovers of the great outdoors in winter this break offers the chance to take part in a variety of fun activities in the snow and ice.
Rather than just racing down hill on two planks, we’ve responded to demand by offering a week of activities which offers, for sure some down hill skiing, but also a chance to try your hand at snowshoeing, ice climbing, and a winter summit ascent.
For the first snowshoe day we ascend Baus de la Frema, just above Valdeblore, which offers great views of the Vésubie valley to the south, and the Tinée to the north. For skiing we will go either to Isola 2000 or Auron - both venues offer great facilities and miles of piste.
The ice climbing venue depends very much on prevailing conditions, but rest assured that you will have a fantastic day out with guides of the highest calibre. As novices you won't be put at risk, and you will always be anchored safely.
The same applies to the winter summit day - experience an alpine refuge in winter, and then the clear views from the summit on the following day, and the satisfaction on return to your accommodation!!
The ice climbing and summit ascent are led by local and qualified Guides des Haute Montagnes, and the client/guide ratio is kept at 3:1, and the first day's snowshoeing is guided by a qualified International Mountain Leader.
Your accommodation can be either gîte based (self catering), or hotel/chambre d'hôte based, both, either just bed and breakfast or half board and packed lunch included. We tend to favour Le Grand Chalet, but this does depend on numbers and time of booking.

Testimonials

A great week - thank you.
Paul Egan - 2007

Season

Winter only - contact us for family specials.

Departures to date

Dates 2012 : Feb 25

Pricing

Standard weekly package :

Hotel or Chambre d'Hôte full board - £895

Gîte based full board- £715

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

How to book...

Walking Grades

grade

Your Accommodation - On all our Mercantour based trips you will either stay in our gîte at La Zourcière, or if you choose our hotel or chambre d'hôte options we are very pleased to work with local establishments in the area.

Gîte

Hotel or Chambre d'Hôte

What's included

8 day trip, 7 nights accommodation.  Transfer to and from venues, and for those opting for B&B or half board, transfer from and to Nice airport. Please note - Gîte based will normally mean that clients hire a vehicle, and supply their own food.

Gîte Based : Self catering with a twist, with two evening meals cooked for you. We provide you with all your food and wine for the week, all inclusive, you just have to assemble it!

Hotel/Chambre d'Hôte full board : All meals, inclusive of packed lunches.

Transport : To and from Nice airport , and to and from all venues.
Activities : Five days guided activities by a qualified International Mountain Leader/High Mountain Guide.  Hire of all kit except walking poles. Ski passes and ski hire for 2 days.

Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Berthemont les Bains for gite accommodation or pick up in Nice – hotel accommodation.
• Day 2 Snowshoeing day.
• Day 3 Ice Climbing day.
• Day 4 Downhill skiing day.
• Day 5 Morning free, afternoon trek up to refuge at Madone de Fenestre.
• Day 6 Winter ascent of St Robert, return to accommodation late afternoon.
• Day 7 Downhill skiing day.
• Day 8 Depart from Berthemont les Bains gite.  Hotel guests transfer back to Nice.

Suitable for

Adults - contact us for family specials.

Your welfare & protection