AlpsAdventures

Absolutely fantastic weekend on the St Bernard snowshoe pilgrimage. Tom was professional, friendly, and immensely patient, especially with complete beginners like us. I would 100% reccomend, definitely the trip of a lifetime with experiences we'd never of had otherwise. Thanks for an absolutely phenomenominal weekend, hopefully our tingly thigs will recover! (and you get to cuddle lots of dogs, what's not to love) 🐶

Had the most fantastic weekend on the beginners snow shoeing experience.  Tom and Cece looked after us exceptionally well and ensures we enjoyed every step. I would highly recommend this weekend with Tom and the team at Alpsadventures 

Absolutely idyllic pre Christmas treat. Tom and ChiChi looked after us all so well and we shall have memories forever!  It's not too exhausting either but you do need basic fitness and the sledging is probably the most scary bit! Day one we were in the tree line and day two we went to monastery and saws the dogs at Barryland. If you are skier, off piste in deep powder can be daunting but in snow shoes it's great fun! I saw a different side to the mountains in snow shoes. 

Beginners snowshoe experience, completing the famous pilgrimage to St Bernard's Monastery. Along the way, you'll also visit Barryland - home of the Grand St Bernard dog and have an opportunity for a Swiss sledge descent! 

St Bernard's Beginner Snowshoe

Normal Group size for this trip is 7-12 people. You'll make lots of friends of like-minded people. 

Yes. We would always recommend getting travel insurance well before your trip departure date.

If you even sprain an ankle you will need a helicopter pick up and without insurance this will be pricey.

Travel insurance including, search and rescue, with hiking up to 3000m. Popular providers include the British Mountaineering Council (Trek policy, if a BMC Member), Snowcard (UK residents) and the Austrian Alpine Club (All nationalities, an annual policy comes with other benefits).

These do require organising before you leave so that you get all the details. 

We are sorry that we can't recommend Insurance providers from every country. The Austrian Alpine Club seems to cover most countries and its annual fee is 62Euro making it a great option if you plan multiple trips. 

Check the normal price comparison websites but be sure to select winter sports cover. 

British Mountaineering Council

Snowcard

&nbsp;the Austrian Alpine Club

The Grand Saint Bernard is a very special place. There may be an opportunity to attend a Latin Mass or space for reflection. Effort and the location certainly give you something to reflect on. 

Specialist equipment. (Snow Shoes, Poles, Safety Equipment)

When you book the trip your dorm room is guranteed and if there is availability we can upgrade you to single/ double / twin room. 

Let us know what you need after you have booked. Availability is seldom a problem. 

You will get to meet the dogs at Barryland. 

It is up to you how close you get to them and what is allowed depends on the current health recomendations. 

They are gentle giants though. Soft as teddybears. 

You'll be in the swiss mountains, so there are endless opportunities! You can visit Geneva, Montreux or Lausanne. If you want to ski or do more snowshoeing then this would be a perfect opportunity. There are also some of the worlds best train trips starting near here. Your host can advise. 

Your host will also happily extend your trip with ski instruction or further snow-shoeing trips if you would like a longer trip, ask them for details and prices. 

Start: You'll meet your guide at Martigny Train station, at around 4 pm on day 1 of your itinerary. It's easily accessible from Zurich Airport (3 hours)/ Geneva airport with regular direct trains (1h 30mins).  

End: Your guide will drop you back off at the train station,  on the final day of your itinerary, leave plenty of time to return to Geneva for your flight home or to continue your experience in the Alps. We would recommend getting a flight after 7:30 pm.

Sledging is an optional extra, it also depends on the conditions of the slope. It costs 10chf but is a real thrill. We get the chairlift up and then head down at speed. If that's not your thing there is a bar/cafe to wait in whilst others take the plunge. It takes about 30 minutes up and down. 

If you choose to sledge you are responsible for your own safety. 

Very easy with trains 2 or 3 times an hour. Swiss trains are known for being efficient and this train ride offers some beautiful views along the way. 
We will pick you up at the train station and this helps us keep our carbon footprint low. 

Swiss Francs, CHF is available at cashpoints. 

We stay in a large shared room in a mountain hut. There are showers, it is heated and comfortable with a restaurant and bar on site. Wifi and 4G are available at the accommodation. 

It is traditional in mountain regions to tip the gudie. It is appreciated and reflects how hard they work to make your trip a success. A uitable ammount is 20-50chf. You can also review and name check those guides who have given you a particularly good experience. 

Absolutely, please let us know your requirements. 

Not at all. You can get to us by train from Europe and Britain. Search for trains to Geneva. Here is a nice explanation. The train to Milan actually stops at Martigny too. There is also the Swiss Snow train from London.  Just be careful if you have to connect in Paris, its two different stations, leave an hour +. 

Alternatively, you can drive if you are in a  group, or are local. There is plenty of parking. 

Sleeping bag liner (you can buy these from your host for 25chfs) they are required in all Swiss budget accommodation. 

Trekking boots: 4 season waterproof, warm, lightweight

Lightweight shoe's for the evening (or you can borrow hut slippers)

Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking.  

pair of synthetic under-top and bottom (long johns or similar)

day bag: 35 - 45 litres - all your kit should fit into this bag.

sun protection: Sunglasses, suncream and sun hat

electronics - headtorch, travel adapter, phone and charger

Specialist equipment is included in the price of the trip.  (Snow-shoes, poles etc.) 

Due to the distances and ascents covered on this trip, it is geared towards adults. Therefore the minimum age for this trek is 18 years. However, those aged 16-18 years are welcome to attend in the company of a responsible adult. If you wish for someone younger to join the trip then please get in touch. We will deal with these requests on a case-by-case basis.   

You can leave what you do not want during the days in the accommodation. 

It varies. On ideal days it is cold and sunny but this is a mountain pass and we can have any of the 4 seasons. So do come prepared. If there are snow storms we will need to adapt the itinary. 

We live and work in the environment and care deeply about it. This provider is in the process of joining the 1% for the planet scheme and volunteers regularly in mountain clean up operations. You are likely to hear about this during your trip. If you travel your entire journey by train, or offset your carbon your host will reward you with merchandise. Be sure to mention it to them. 

This trip is very much aimed at beginner snowshoers for their first experience of walking in the snow. You'll need to be fit enough to walk in the mountains for up to  5 hours per day. If you have always wanted to visit the mountains in winter but don't want to ski this is an ideal trip for you. 

Watch this video of ski Sunday visiting the GSB.   Although hopefully, we will have better weather for our ascent. 

Whilst we do everything we can to match this advertised itinerary your safety is our number one concern. We can always get out and about and go snowshoeing but we may not be able to go to the Monastery as it can be a potentially dangerous route in poor weather or avalanche conditions.  In such a situation your guides will choose another suitable and safe route. 

You'll hike from 1800m to 2500m.  Altitude sickness is not normally an issue at this height. 

You'll be collected by your guide at Martigny train station at 16:00 - a direct train ride from Geneva airport. From here we'll do group introductions and you'll have a chance to settle into the accommodation before dinner. All food, accommodation and specialist equipment is included on this trip.


Arrival & Introductions

On this day we'll head out from our base in the mountain valley, to a location that's fantastic for gaining snowshoe skills - learning how to move over the snow with ease. We'll also complete a small journey into the Swiss wilderness, with incredible mountain backdrops. 
At the end of the day there is then an optional sledge run for the more adventurous. The less adventurous can warm up with a Hot Chocolate or Hot Wine. 

Snowshoe Journey & Optional Sledge Descent

An early start will see us on the trail to ascend the 5km, 500m up, the trail to the Grand Saint Bernard Monastery. Once there we will break for tea and food with the monks. Afterwards, we'll make a short journey across the Italian border, before returning back to Switzerland and descending back to the valley. Our final visit is Barryland, to see, and hopefully, pet the dogs. You are then dropped back at Martigny train station. Most people then return to Geneva by train (1h 30m hour) for an evening flight home.
Please note, this is a high mountain trail and in poor weather or avalanche conditions, another route may be chosen. 