About
Highlights
- Return Airport transfer from Turin to Briançon
- Trek led by experienced and qualified local guide
- Mini Hut Adventure: Spend a unique night deep in the mountains at a remote alpine refuge
- Journey into a beautifully silent, high-alpine environment around the Grand Lac
- Complete a 700m ascent to a panoramic pass (2,316m) with the option to push onto the spectacular La Croix d’Aquila
- Expert Avalanche Safety Training: Develop essential winter skills with hands-on, scenario-based practice using transceivers, shovels, and probes
Introduction
Using the mountain hub of Briançon as our base, this trek is designed for active walkers looking to experience some of the Alps’ finest crowd-free winter wilderness.
As the week progresses, we venture deep into the alpine environment. You will trace rugged routes up to panoramic mountain passes, snowshoe past silent summer hamlets tucked deep inside a spectacular national park and explore frozen high-mountain lakes.
The absolute highlight of the trip is a memorable, two-day mini hut adventure. Here, you will spend a night tucked away in a traditional mountain refuge, enjoying a warm alpine welcome and the peaceful silence of the mountains far above the valleys. If you are looking for wild, tranquil landscapes, superb winter snow, and a true alpine journey, this winter escape delivers that perfect mountain experience.
At a glance
- Group Size: 2 – 6 People
- Duration: 8 Days
- Difficulty Level: 2
- Maximum Altitude: 2,458m
Accommodation & Meals
- 7 breakfasts
- 7 dinners
- 6 nights hotel
- 1 night mountain refuge
Is this trip for you?
You do not need to have previous experience of alpine winter walking or using snowshoes.
Participants must be equipped with an avalanche safety kit (ARTVA transceiver, shovel, and probe) and should have basic familiarity with how to use them. We can provide an Avalanche Safety kit for you, upon request.
Participants should have a good level of hiking fitness, capable of handling 4 to 6 hours of walking per day with continuous elevation gains of up to 500–800 meters.
Leading up to this course, you should hill-walk regularly. You should aim to be able to ascend 600 to 800 metres and walk for 6 to 7 hours a day. Stringing together several hills and consecutive days as you gain fitness would be ideal.
Contact Us
Dates & Prices
Date
Price
Book
Available
Sat 6 Feb - Sat 13 Feb 2027
£1,595 PP
Without FlightsTrip Dates
Sat 6 Feb
United KingdomSat 13 Feb 2027
FrancePricing
Total: £1,595 PP
Deposit: £160 PP
Single Room Supplement: +£650 PP
* Final Payment due 60 days before departure.Know Before you Go
Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) “Know Before You Go” campaign. We recommend that you read the FDCO Travel Advice for France on the FCDO Website.
What is included in the Trip
- 6 nights hotel accommodation in Briançon on a twin-sharing, half-board basis
- 1 night of accommodation in a mountain refuge on a twin-sharing basis, half-board basis
- 6 days guiding (including all the guide’s fees and expenses). Ratio 1:6 maximum
- 1 return group transfer to the hotel in Briançon from Turin Airport
- Use of a vehicle to fulfil the course programme
- Loan of Avalanche Transceiver, Shovel and Probe
- Loan of Snowshoes and Poles
What is not included in the Trip
- Lunches and Picnics
- Travel Insurance
- Ski Lifts (if needed for any alternative itinerary).
- Tips (discretionary)
- Tourist Taxes collected locally by the hotel and other accommodation providers
- Hotel/Accommodation extras (bar/ laundry / room service etc)
Itinerary
Download the full Download Now as a PDF.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please note that the exact routes and objectives may be adjusted according to snow conditions, weather, avalanche risk and the ability of the group.
Day 1
Arrival & Welcome in Briançon
Arrive at Hotel Vauban in Briançon, meet your guide, and go over an overview of the week’s conditions. We’ll perform a quick equipment and safety check to ensure everyone is ready for the trail, followed by dinner.
Day 2
Snowshoe Training and Avalanche Skills
Today is a training and familiarisation day. For those new to snowshoeing, there will be an introduction to the equipment and an opportunity to practise using snowshoes for the first time. You will also cover the basics of avalanche awareness and rescue, including practical training in the use of avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes.
Throughout the day, your leader may introduce a number of realistic scenarios designed to test and develop teamwork, decision-making and your response in an avalanche situation.
Return to Briançon for the evening.
Please note: A lift pass may be required for part of the day’s programme and is not included in the cost of the trip.
Day 3
Col de la Trancoulette
Today marks your first full mountain adventure, with the objective of reaching the Col de la Trancoulette (2,316m), to the west of Briançon.
Your ascent begins in the hamlet of Le Puy. From here, you head north-west, initially following the eastern flank of the Combes des Sachas. At approximately 1,900m, you cross the Torrent des Sachas before turning west and beginning a steeper ascent. The route then arcs around the northern side of La Roche Jaune (2,421m) before reaching the Col de la Trancoulette.
For a strong group making good progress, there may be the opportunity to continue a further 1.25km to La Croix d’Aquila (2,466m).
You then descend by the same route to Le Puy before returning to Briançon. After a rewarding first day in the mountains, there may even be time to treat tired legs to a sports massage in preparation for the adventures ahead.
Elevation: +700m | Distance: 10km | Approx. 4.5 – 6 hrs
Day 4
Pelvoux and Pré de Madame Carle
Discover the magic of winter in the Écrins on a spectacular snowshoeing journey from Pelvoux to Pré de Madame Carle.
Starting from where the road closes near Pelvoux, you snowshoe into the heart of the Écrins National Park. The route takes you through the summer village of Ailefroide, beneath the impressive slopes of Mont Pelvoux, before continuing deeper into the high valley towards Pré de Madame Carle.
Surrounded by some of the most dramatic scenery in the Écrins, this promises to be a memorable day of winter exploration.
Elevation: +650m | Distance: 12km | Approx. 6 hrs
Day 5
Grande Lac and the Massif des Cerces
Today you head into the spectacular Massif des Cerces, beginning from the Pont de l’Alpe.
This route takes you towards the Refuge du Clot des Vaches, beneath the Arête de la Bruyère, before continuing into the high mountain landscape around the Grand Lac. Depending on conditions and the strength of the group, there may be the opportunity to extend the day towards the Col de la Ponsonnière.
A wonderful day of snowshoeing in one of the region’s most beautiful and remote mountain environments.
Elevation: +750m | Distance: 10km | Approx. 6 hrs
Day 6 - 7
Mini Hut Adventure
The next two days offer the highlight of the week: a mini hut-to-hut adventure in the beautiful Cerces and Haute Névache valleys.
On Thursday, set out on a full day of snowshoeing through spectacular mountain terrain before arriving at your mountain refuge for the night. Depending on conditions and the planned route, your overnight stay may be at the Refuge du Clot des Vaches, Refuge Buffère or Refuge du Chardonnet.
After a rewarding day on the snow, enjoy the unique experience of spending the night in the mountains. Relax in the warmth and atmosphere of the refuge, share stories of the day’s adventure and enjoy the peaceful surroundings far from the valley below.
On Friday, continue exploring the beautiful winter landscapes of the Haute Névache Valley before descending back to the valley and returning to Briançon.
Day 8
Departure
After breakfast, we depart Briançon and take our airport transfer back to Turin, in time for your morning flight home.
Essential Info
What is included in the Trip
- 6 nights hotel accommodation in Briançon on a twin-sharing, half-board basis
- 1 night of accommodation in a mountain refuge on a twin-sharing basis, half-board basis
- 6 days guiding (including all the guide’s fees and expenses). Ratio 1:6 maximum
- 1 return group transfer to the hotel in Briançon from Turin Airport
- Use of a vehicle to fulfil the course programme
- Loan of Avalanche Transceiver, Shovel and Probe.
- Loan of Snowshoes and Poles
What is not included in the Trip
- Lunches and Picnics
- Travel Insurance
- Ski Lifts (if needed for any alternative itinerary).
- Tips (discretionary)
- Tourist Taxes collected locally by the hotel and other accommodation providers
- Hotel/Accommodation extras (bar/ laundry / room service etc)
Avalanche Awareness and Risk
As soon as you head into the mountains, you need to be aware of avalanche risks. Your guide will be well versed in avalanche avoidance and will educate you in safety matters and rescue procedures. However, by its very nature, any off-piste activity is a risky business, not just because of avalanche danger, but also from the danger posed by hidden rocks, streams, small cliffs or tree branches.
Travel to Briancon
From the UK, we recommend that you fly to Turin Airport. A group airport transfer has been arranged to take you from the airport to your hotel in Briançon in time for your course briefing at 7:00 PM. Please arrive at Turin Airport by 3:30 PM at the latest.
Accommodation in Briancon
Accommodation in Briançon is at Hotel Vauban. The accommodation is provided on a twin-share, half-board basis with participants of the same sex sharing. Single rooms are available on request, subject to availability.
13 Avenue du Général de Gaulle
05100 Briançon
France
https://www.hotel-vauban-briancon.com/en
Tel: +33 4 92 21 12 11
Loan of Snowshoes, adjustable Ski Poles, Avalanche Transceiver, Shovel and Probe is included in the trip cost.
Please download the Equipment list for full details of what you’ll need for this Winter Trekking trip, as well as details of discounts available with specialist outdoor retailers and manufacturers.
Pre-trek weekend
We do not offer a specific pre-trek weekend for our European trips. However, you are welcome to contact us, if you would like to discuss your clothing, equipment and what to expect in more detail. We’ll happily set up a call on Zoom/Teams/WhatsApp.
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