Snowshoeing - Discover Cervières, a wild valley in the French Alps

• Please wear your mountaineering clothes on day 1.

We always do our best, but we can't guarantee the exact time of arrival at the train station (due to traffic or weather conditions). Therefore we strongly recommend you to buy train tickets that can easily be modified. If you're travelling by car, we'll meet you at one of the indicated meeting points, or at one of the drop of points where you'll be able to leave your car during the entire trip.

• Access

Train & TGV access: www.voyages-sncf.com

Car access: www.mappy.fr 

Car sharing: www.blablacar.fr

• Parking

Public parking free of charge in front of the Lodge.

• Skill level **

No particular difficulties.

• Stamina level ***

A maximum of 3 to 4 hours walking a day at a moderate pace. You don't need to have a high level of physical fitness, but weekly practice of an endurance sport is recommended.

5 to 12 participants

Azimut selected mountain guide.

We have a great bunch of mountain guides, and select our guides mainly for their sympathy, their teaching and organisational skills. We stay tuned in, work hands in hands, and make sure their working conditions are the best.

Meet our guides and instructors just around the corner

You will have to carry your personal belongings, picnics and mountaineering gear. Your backpack will weigh approx 6 to 8 kilos (please leave behind any useless excess baggage). 

The price includes 

• The organisation
• All travel by minibus from one of the meeting points
• Half-board accommodation in a lodge for 4 nights
• Picnics for 5 days
• Supervision by a mountain leader for 5 days and all expenses (accommodation, meals, travel)
• Loan of snowshoes, poles and personal safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe)
• Welcome drink
• The AZIMUT welcome pack 

A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance due latest 30 days prior to departure. 

It is strongly recommended that you are properly insured in the event of cancellation. It is compulsory to be insured for search and repatriation costs. When you register with us, you can take out insurance through our partner insurer, with several options covering the activities on offer and the risks incurred (please note that this insurance is only valid for European nationals).

Tipping is no obligation. However participants usually hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.

Azimut's minibus is used throughout the whole trip. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and open: we can chat, sleep and listen to our own music !

During the trip

This trip takes place in our Lodge nestled in the village of Cervières at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. You will be looked after by Isabelle and her team, who will offer you an exceptional welcome and a living space where you can spend some quality time in peace and quiet. The food is simple, natural and of high quality, with a choice of good beers and wines. Rental equipment is located under the hotel, and our agency and team are just a stone's throw away. The lodge is made up of "lodge" rooms for a maximum of 3 people with shared WC and showers + hotel-style rooms with WC and shower (single or double room option on request).

Depending on the composition of the group, you may be with someone of the opposite sex.

- Single hotel with half board, in a double room to share, toilet and shower in the room, sheets provided, towels provided! Depending on the configuration of the group and availability, we may use a triple room.

- Single supplement: €155/person (to be chosen when registering; availability will be confirmed as soon as possible).

- Breakfast and dinner are taken in the hotel restaurant.

- Lunches are free, leaving the group free to choose between different formulas or locations. Food is one of the strong points of freeride ski trips, we know all the good addresses of trattorias, nice little restaurants etc... Trust us!

If the lodge is unavailable, the trip will take place in a comfortable gîte in the area.

Before and after ski touring trips

Once we've received your booking, we'll provide you with a list of accommodation in case you need to book a night before or after the trip. All accommodation listed is close to the meeting points. You may often benefit from preferential rates.

In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (a phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.

Please inform your friends and family with these details before departure.

Wifi and 4G at the Lodge.

Technical gear

• Snowshoes (supplied)
• Poles (provided)
• Warm mountain boots (can be hired on site)
• Safety pack (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe - we can lend you these if you don't have them)
• Fairly stiff, warm mountain boots
• Snowshoes with crampons
• Walking poles with a wide puck for snow

Clothing:

The following equipment list contains a series of equipment tips and is compulsory to bring with you, but does not oblige you to have the latest equipment. If you want to re-equip yourself or add to your equipment, take advantage of our advice to get the right gear that's light, warm and comfortable. Good equipment makes for a successful holiday!

Headwear:

• Hat
• Sunglasses, protection 3 or 4
• Mask (in case of wind)

Bodywear:

• Long-sleeved technical T-shirts (synthetic or merino wool, do not wear cotton in the mountains!) 
• Fleece jacket 
• Jacket with waterproof and breathable membrane such as Gore Tex or soft shell, 
• Long-sleeved down jacket
• Light gloves (fleece or soft shell) + mittens with membrane (Gore-Tex type)
• Synthetic or merino tights
• Unlined trousers with membrane
• Gaiters if your trousers do not have built-in gaiters
• Avoid downhill ski clothing: lined, it will keep you too warm on the way up. Make sure your equipment is as modular as possible, using the 4-layer system (t-shirt, fleece, down jacket, jacket).

Footwear:

• Ski socks
• Warm high-top hiking boots that are fairly stiff.

Luggage & others:

• Water bottle: to avoid the water freezing, use a thermos!  A total liquid volume of 1.5 to 2 litres is recommended.
• Sunscreen factor 50/lip protection/pocket knife/liquid (for days when we come across a refuge - no dispenser in Cervières).
• 30-litre rucksack  

Toiletry bag & first-aid kit

Toilet bag with personal kit. 
The guide is equipped with a first-aid kit, so bring your own Compeed bandages in case of a blister, Doliprane and any medication you may be taking.

Don't forget to

• Leave contact details with your friends and family
• Bring your papers and I.D. (passport and visa if necessary)
• Bring your contract number and documents related to your insurance (if you've chosen not to have insure coverage with us)
• Bring your “carte vitale” and your European health card (EU member states) - if you don't have one you can order one for free online  www.ameli.fr
• Check that you have the right equipment
• Take spare batteries and a charger for your electronic devices (camera, video recorder, tracking devices etc)
• Bring some cash and your credit card
• Bring a delicacy from your home country or area to share with the group
• Leave in a good frame of mind: we're going to have a great time even if we may not happen to not make it to the summit !
• Before leaving: water the plants, empty the rubbish bin, turn off water and gas, and tell your partner that you're going to have a good time (please not by text message), that you've well deserved... If you don't follow the latter recommendation, you'll most probably kick yourself when you get back!

Have a nice trip with AZIMUT!