UKC

I'm trying to organise a snowshoeing holiday in late Janauary for my wife and I, neither of us experienced snowshoers (but experienced hill walkers and I'm a climber), somewhere in the Alps, preferably reasonably easily accessible from Geneva (although would consider anywhere that has snow and pointy mountains through and maybe up which one might trek if it came to it!).
Any suggestions for trekking companies or individual guides?

In reply to MadProfessor:

https://www.facebook.com/trekkinginthealps/?ref=page_internal

In reply to MadProfessor:
If you want to buy the now out of print 'Snowshoeing in Mont Blanc and Western Alps Guide' I have one as new for £15 posted

A bit cheaper than Amazons £ 395
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snowshoeing-Western-Techniques-Cicerone-Mountainee...

In reply to MadProfessor:

If you are thinking of going up something snowy and pointy, then I would think that a mountain guide is the way to go as snowshoe guides are limited to "rolling Nordic terrain" which normally excludes those big pointy things.

In reply to MadProfessor:

Depending on what you want to do, you might not need a guide. Snowshoeing itself is pretty obvious and they can be found for hire in most places in the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura etc or can be bought fairly cheaply. Many ski resorts & mountain villages have waymarked trails with trail maps available from the local tourist office. From Geneva, the Jura is close by and well suited to snowshoeing, just pick a village (although it'll be cheaper in France) and a hire car to get there. If you want somewhere with more pointy hills, the Alps isn't far away

In reply to MadProfessor:

Hi there

This link is for the business that Ian Spare runs from Leysin. Ian is the Director of Communication for BAIML, the organisation that delivers the training and assessment for snowshoe guides, so his courses are top notch and very informative for people interested in getting out on snowshoes. He takes care of all the logistics and is a great all round guy. Leysin is 2 hours from Geneva by car/train:

https://www.swissmountainleader.com/

Hope this helps.

In reply to MadProfessor:

Hi Mad Professor - the area around us in the central Dolomites has some excellent snowshoeing. We are also partnered with an excellent guide, Manfred Stuffer who is one of the leading guides in the area. We don't offer a snowshoeing package as such as we have not had anybody ask, but we are able to organise any trip you like. I would have to confirm his day rates, but as an example, I would have thought you would be looking at a similar rate to our ice climbing packages which is £995 for 5 days guiding, 7 nights accommodation, a meal on the first night at the local pizzeria on a ratio of 1:2. The house is only 2 hours from Venice by car and as it's off season for Venice, flights can be cheap as chips. Let me know if this might be of interest to you.

Mike

In reply to MadProfessor:

Bit of info for you here:

http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=7140

In reply to MadProfessor:

Like others have said, on most rolling terrain just get shoes and go.

To get you in the mood, this (in French) is a snowshoe hike up a mountain I'm lucky enough to see from my living room window and run to the top of frequently out of winter conditions.

youtube.com/watch?v=Tb5pLynyYSQ&

it's a bit steeper and more dangerous (which is why he heads back down rather than trying to traverse the ridge at the top and come down the other side) than something in the valley.

In reply to MadProfessor:

I am retired from snowshoe work, but would encourage you towards BAIML. There isn't much to worry about technically moving in snowshoes, apart from perhaps being particularly aware of how much more difficult some terrain can be in descent. However, snow conditions in the Alps should be well understood and respected. You can be exposed for far longer than a skier. Try to enjoy journeys and the winter wildlife and solitude rather than setting your sights on summits. It can be a wonderful experience. I would recommend a couple of days with a professional who can help you towards becoming safely independent.

In reply to Casa Alfredino:

Another Dolomites vote, superb snowshoeing to be had. There's a very nice book coming out (if I do say so myself) in January which should suit your needs perfectly.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ski-Touring-Snowshoeing-Dolomites-Winter/dp/185284...

In reply to MadProfessor:

Mark Tennent - Simply Savoie. Very knowledgeable and experienced.

http://www.simplysavoie.com

In reply to MadProfessor:

For snowshoeing, without the need for a guide, I would recommend the Jura, with Les Rousses as a base. I know it is not the Alps but there are well marked snowshoeing trails, hire of gear is very easy and you are only 45 minutes from Geneva airport. If you don't hire a car you can get the train from the airport along Lake Geneva, to Nyon, then the mountain railway to Cure, on the French/Swiss border, then a short taxi ride to Les Rousses.

In reply to MadProfessor:

Gary Daines, based in Sallanches (below Chamonix) is a IML guide with great knowledge of surrounding hills. On top of that he is a terrific guy. His website is;
https://bigsmileadventures.com/

In reply to Andy Lagan:
+1 gary dines
Haven't been snowshoeing with him but have met him elsewhere, as you say great guy

In reply to MadProfessor:

I'm told there are some very nice snowshoe trails around Cogne - just above the Aosta valley

In reply to MadProfessor:

Shout out to Nick Draper of Eyebright Adventures

https://www.facebook.com/Eyebright-Adventures-432143240307919/

Chamonix based, lovely chap.