×
Winter in the Alps: Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
Chamonix, France
9 Days
From $7495
Winter Sports: Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Winter in the Alps: Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
Chamonix, France
9 Days
From $7495
Winter Sports: Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Trip Overview
Winter in the Alps: Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing—A Multi-Country Alpine Adventure
Discover the beauty of winter in the Alps as we journey through three iconic countries—France, Switzerland, and Italy—on this unforgettable snow-filled adventure.
We begin in the legendary Chamonix Valley, nestled beneath the towering Mont Blanc massif. Here we ease into our alpine experience with guided snowshoe hikes through quiet forests, past traditional wooden chalets, and up to sweeping viewpoints overlooking glaciers and jagged peaks. A day trip into Switzerland brings even more dramatic scenery, with panoramic views stretching across the Rhône Valley and surrounding summits.
From Chamonix, we travel through the Mont Blanc Tunnel into Italy's Aosta Valley, stopping to explore the historic town of Aosta, often called "Little Rome of the Alps." Our home for the second half of the trip is the charming village of Cogne, set in the heart of Gran Paradiso National Park—Italy's oldest national park and a paradise for cross-country skiing.
With expert instruction, we'll learn and refine our skills on beautifully groomed trails that wind through forests, open valleys, and alongside frozen waterfalls. Each day offers a new perspective of this pristine winter landscape, with opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the serene beauty of the mountains.
Evenings are just as memorable, with time to relax in welcoming alpine accommodations, enjoy spa facilities, and indulge in regional cuisine that highlights the best of French and Italian flavors.
Perfect for adventurous travelers seeking an active winter escape, this trip combines breathtaking scenery, cultural highlights, and supportive instruction in two classic winter sports—no prior experience required.
Maximum group size: 14
Highlights
- Snowshoeing in the famous Chamonix Valley, France and in Switzerland
- Cross-country skiing in Aosta Valley and Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy
- Enjoying views of Mont Blanc and stunning neighboring peaks throughout the week
- Visiting the beautiful town of Aosta, the 'Little Rome of the Alps'
- Unwinding with afternoon visits to the relaxing spas at our accommodations
- Exploring destinations that attract the most skilled outdoorspeople in the world
- Savoring delicious meals that highlight the local cuisines
Inclusions
- 1-2 local English-speaking guides plus an AGC guide depending on group size
- 1-2 additional snowshoeing or cross-country skiing guides depending on group size
- Eights nights double occupancy lodging with private toilet and shower
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 9, except for 1 lunch
- Access to the spa at our accommodations
- All snowshoeing and skiing gear, as well as ski passes
- All transport during the trip, including airport transfers upon arrival and departure
Trip Info
On this trip, we'll explore the area on snowshoes and cross-country skis. Most activities range from 2 to 5 hours, with daily elevation gains and losses of 500-2,000 feet. A moderate level of fitness and a love for active adventures are essential. This trip is rated Level 2, with the snowshoeing days falling on the higher end of that scale. To prepare, participants should maintain a regular exercise routine, such as walking, biking, swimming, or other aerobic activities for 20-40 minutes, 3 to 4 times per week. No previous snowshoeing or cross-country skiing experience is required.
Rating: 1 [2] 3 4 5
Curious about how we rate our trips and how to prepare for yours? Explore our AGC Fitness Guide for more details.
This trip is designed for women who want to experience the joy of winter activities while staying in comfortable accommodations in some of the most well-known winter destinations in the world. Expert snowshoeing and cross-country skiing guides will provide lessons and support regarding technique to ensure you feel comfortable with your equipment.
Wondering what kind of gear works well for our trips? Our AGC Gear Guide highlights some of our go-to favorites.
All participants are guaranteed their own bed. We will be staying in double-occupancy rooms (two beds) with ensuite bathrooms at well-appointed 3- and 4-star hotels throughout the trip. We will pair you with another traveler unless you specify a roommate. A limited number of private, single-occupancy rooms are available upon request for an additional cost; availability of each room type is noted on your registration form. Each lodging has been carefully selected for its comfort, amenities, convenience, and welcoming staff.
Ready to picture yourself on this adventure?
Download the detailed trip summary for a closer look — daily highlights, travel notes, and everything you need to know before you go. It’s the perfect way to dream, plan, and share with a friend!
Itinerary
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
DAY 1
After landing at Geneva Airport (GVA) by 2:00 PM, we'll make our way to Chamonix, France on a private transfer at 3:00 PM. The world-famous Chamonix Valley—nestled beneath the towering peaks of the Mont Blanc massif, the highest peak in Western Europe—is a magnificent base for winter adventures. Known as one of Europe's premier alpine destinations, Chamonix offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to discover the beauty of the mountains in winter. We'll settle into our charming hotel in the heart of town and meet for a group orientation at 5:30 PM before enjoying our first of many delicious meals together.
Included Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: Heliopic Hotel & Spa, Chamonix (or similar)
Travel Time: Driving (90 minutes)
Included Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: Heliopic Hotel & Spa, Chamonix (or similar)
Travel Time: Driving (90 minutes)
DAY 2
Snowshoeing in Chamonix is a magical experience—a chance to wander through quiet forests, across sparkling valleys, and beneath dramatic snow-clad peaks. The beauty of a snowshoeing holiday is its simplicity: if you can walk, you can snowshoe! The magic begins after breakfast this morning, with our first snowshoe adventure taking us from the quaint hamlet of Le Bettey up to a stunning vantage point offering jaw-dropping views of the Chamonix Valley and nearby glaciers. We'll pass ancient wooden chalets and snow-covered larch trees as we climb, with the lingering scent of woodsmoke in the air, and our descent through the woodland will be just as enchanting. Upon returning to town, we'll refuel with a hearty lunch before having the afternoon free to explore. With so many options to choose from—the Aiguille du Midi cable car, the Mer de Glace glacier, the Alpine Museum, or simply relaxing at the spa—it's sure to be a delightful afternoon! This evening, we'll reunite for dinner at a local restaurant, and rest up for another exciting day.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Heliopic Hotel & Spa, Chamonix (or similar)
Travel Time: Driving (45 minutes)
Daily Activities: Snowshoeing (2.5-4 hours, 2.5 miles, 650 feet of elevation gain/loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Heliopic Hotel & Spa, Chamonix (or similar)
Travel Time: Driving (45 minutes)
Daily Activities: Snowshoeing (2.5-4 hours, 2.5 miles, 650 feet of elevation gain/loss)
DAY 3
One of the joys of being based in Chamonix Valley is the ability to visit another country for the day; the valley sits right on the frontiers with Switzerland and Italy, making it ideally positioned for our day trip to Switzerland today. After breakfast, we'll venture over the border and begin our snowshoe through pine woods, with Mont de l'Arpille in our sights and watching out for squirrels and roe deer along the way. Our route will eventually open up to the alpage—summertime grazing grounds in the mountains—and we'll continue to the summit to take in the stunning, panoramic views of Mont Blanc, the Dents du Midi, and neighboring mountains on either side of the Rhône Valley. After our full day of winter adventure in the mountains, we'll make our way back to Chamonix for some more après-snowshoe rest and relaxation before dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Heliopic Hotel & Spa, Chamonix (or similar)
Travel Time: Driving (1 hour)
Daily Activities: Snowshoeing (4.5-5.5 hours, 4.2 miles, 2,000 feet of elevation gain/2,400 feet of elevation loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Heliopic Hotel & Spa, Chamonix (or similar)
Travel Time: Driving (1 hour)
Daily Activities: Snowshoeing (4.5-5.5 hours, 4.2 miles, 2,000 feet of elevation gain/2,400 feet of elevation loss)
DAY 4
After a hearty breakfast, we'll head back in the same direction this morning toward Vallorcine—the last village before the Swiss border—on the Mont Blanc Express. Taking in the mountain views from the train will never get old, and this historic train has carried climbers and mountaineers to their adventures for more than a century. Known as the "Valley of the Bears" due to a very healthy bear population in the Middle Ages, you'll notice bear motifs carved into the wood on some of the ancient chalets in Vallorcine. We'll pass these chalets as we make our way into the forest, snowshoeing alongside a gorge and beautiful, frozen waterfall. Our path opens up into a high pasture with views galore, before returning to the village of Le Buet for a hard-earned coffee and crêpe. We'll make sure to enjoy our final evening in Chamonix this evening—tomorrow, we're off to Italy!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Heliopic Hotel & Spa, Chamonix (or similar)
Travel Time: Train (1 hour)
Daily Activities: Snowshoeing (3-4.5 hours, 3 miles, 1,300 feet of elevation gain/1,000 feet of elevation loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Heliopic Hotel & Spa, Chamonix (or similar)
Travel Time: Train (1 hour)
Daily Activities: Snowshoeing (3-4.5 hours, 3 miles, 1,300 feet of elevation gain/1,000 feet of elevation loss)
DAY 5
After one more breakfast at our Chamonix hotel, we'll begin the drive to Cogne, Italy. We'll pass through the famous Mont Blanc Tunnel—a symbol of peace and unity for over 60 years—and make a stop in the town of Aosta, nicknamed "Little Rome of the Alps" thanks to the ample and extraordinary Roman archaeological sites that can be visited as if the town were an open-air museum. Whether it's the triumphal arch at the entrance to the town, or the Roman walls, gates, amphitheater, necropolis (the list goes on), Aosta's beauty is sure to take your breath away. We are free to explore the town and eat lunch at our leisure before continuing our journey to Cogne and Gran Paradiso National Park, where we'll settle into our next accommodations and savor our first dinner in Italy.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel du Grand Paradis, Cogne (or similar)
Travel Time: Driving (1.5 hours)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel du Grand Paradis, Cogne (or similar)
Travel Time: Driving (1.5 hours)
DAY 6
On our first morning in Italy, we'll take some time to get fitted for skis and boots—and find our ski-legs, of course! Set in the heart of Gran Paradiso National Park, Cogne is known as the "Queen" of Italian cross-country ski venues, and for good reason: with 35 miles of world-class groomed trails, expert teachers and guides, and delicious Italian cuisine, it has everything you need for a winter getaway. We'll spend the morning reviewing best techniques, practicing our strides, and testing our skills on the beautifully groomed tracks at Cogne's ski stadium, with a warm-up break for coffee mid-morning. Following lunch, we'll take advantage of the large network of trails through nearby valleys and forests. After our first day on skis, we'll have time to visit the shops in town or relax at the spa, and share another delightful dinner together.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel du Grand Paradis, Cogne (or similar)
Daily Activities: Cross-Country Skiing (2-4 hours, 2-4 miles, minimal elevation gain/loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel du Grand Paradis, Cogne (or similar)
Daily Activities: Cross-Country Skiing (2-4 hours, 2-4 miles, minimal elevation gain/loss)
DAY 7
This morning, we'll return to the ski stadium to warm up our ski muscles and make sure we haven't forgotten what we learned yesterday. We can choose from the gently undulating trails in Cogne, or perhaps we'll hop on the free bus to explore the skiing in nearby Epinel or Lillaz. Whatever we decide, we'll marvel at the alpine views within Gran Paradiso National Park—established more than a century ago as Italy's first national park. We'll be ready for more R&R upon our return to the accommodations today, and we’ll have earned it!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel du Grand Paradis, Cogne (or similar)
Daily Activities: Cross-Country Skiing (2-5 hours, 3-7 miles, minimal elevation gain/loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel du Grand Paradis, Cogne (or similar)
Daily Activities: Cross-Country Skiing (2-5 hours, 3-7 miles, minimal elevation gain/loss)
DAY 8
Our third and final day on skis will bring us to the stunning upper valley of Valnontey, an area well-known for ice climbing thanks to the frozen waterfalls lining both sides of the valley. If we're lucky, we might even spot some climbers in action while we ski! We'll stop for a hearty, traditional lunch at a family-run albergo, complete with a stone-tile roof and ancient woodwork, situated in a small hamlet of old wooden houses. The afternoon's trails will follow a winding river to the head of the valley, and we'll keep an eye out for ibex and chamois along the way—they may make an appearance on the valley slopes or in the woods near the trails. We'll thoroughly enjoy the downhill sections that bring us back to our accommodations, where we'll gather for a celebratory dinner and toast to a fantastic week of winter adventures.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel du Grand Paradis, Cogne (or similar)
Travel Time: Driving (20 minutes)
Daily Activities: Cross-Country Skiing (3.5-5 hours, 3-9 miles, up to 330 feet of elevation gain/loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel du Grand Paradis, Cogne (or similar)
Travel Time: Driving (20 minutes)
Daily Activities: Cross-Country Skiing (3.5-5 hours, 3-9 miles, up to 330 feet of elevation gain/loss)
DAY 9
This morning, we'll have an early departure back to Geneva for our flights home. You are welcome to book flights from Geneva Airport after 1:00 PM.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Travel Time: Driving (2.5 hours)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Travel Time: Driving (2.5 hours)
Reviews
This trip is brand new — be among the very first to experience it with AGC!
Dates & Prices
| Year | Departure Date | Availability | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2027 |
January 30 to February 07 |
Available |
$7495.00 |
Year
2027
Departure Date
January 30 to February 07, 2027
Availability
Available
Price
$7495.00
Make It Your Adventure
Turn any trip into a private experience for your group, or let us design a custom itinerary just for you! Whether it’s friends, family, or colleagues, we’ll make your journey unforgettable.
Common Questions
All participants are guaranteed their own bed on our trips.
A Single Supplement (SS) means you will have your own room with your own bed, and no other participants will share that room with you. Single supplements are limited, offered at an additional cost, and will appear as a booking option at the time of registration if still available.
A Double Accommodation means you will share a room with another participant. You will still have your own bed. Shared beds can be requested but cannot always be accommodated depending upon the property.
Bathrooms: Bathroom arrangements vary depending on the trip and lodging. A single supplement guarantees your own sleeping space but may still include a shared bathroom. Double accommodations typically share a bathroom with a roommate and sometimes additional participants, depending on the property. Private or ensuite bathrooms will be noted in the trip details when available.
Breakfasts and some dinners will be taken at the hotel, and you'll also dine at local restaurants. Lunches will be picnic-style or at local cafés and restaurants.
If we know well in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free diet and we cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you are vegan, we ask that you bring some additional protein bars; and if you are gluten-sensitive, please bring some gluten-free snacks. If you have severe allergies, Celiac disease and/or other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register.
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates when we switch lodging.
Replied!
