St Bernard's Beginner Snowshoe

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.

Please see inclusions and exclusions section above.

Documents: - Passport - Boarding pass for flights - Money (CHF) - Credit/Debit Card Sleeping: - Sleeping bag liner (you can buy these from your host for 25 CHF). They are required in all Swiss budget accommodations. - Ear plugs Footwear: - Trekking boots: 4-season waterproof, warm, lightweight - Lightweight shoe's for the evening (or you can borrow hut slippers) Clothing: Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking. - Pair of synthetic under-top and bottom (long johns or similar) - Comfortable shirt for the evening - Hiking socks - Spare underwear - Fleece - Light down or Primaloft jacket - Waterproof jacket and trousers - Hiking trousers - Comfortable trousers for the evening - Sun hat, warm hat and waterproof gloves - Buff or scarf Other: - Day bag: 35 - 45 litres - all your kit should fit into this bag - Travel towel - Dry bag or liner - Water bottle: At least 2L - Sun protection: Sunglasses, sun cream and sun hat - Personal medication - Toiletries - Electronics - headtorch, travel adapter, phone and charger Specialist equipment is included in the price of the trip (snowshoes, poles etc.)

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, it's two different stations, leave an hour +. Alternatively, you can drive if you are in a group or are local. There is plenty of parking.

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

Yes. We always recommend getting travel insurance well before your trip departure date. Given the location, even if you sprain an ankle, you will need a helicopter pick-up. Without insurance, this will be pricey. Also, if you need to cancel last minute, you may be able to claim on insurance for the cost of the trip. Your travel insurance needs to include search and rescue, with hiking up to 3000m. We are sorry that we are unable to recommend insurance providers. Check the normal price comparison websites but be sure to select winter sports cover.

Swiss Francs, CHF, available at cash points. You certainly need cash at the Hospice, but other places generally take bank cards.

We stay in a large shared room. There are showers. It is heated and comfortable with a restaurant and bar on site. Wifi and 4G are available.

Yes there is, depending on availability. - Double Room Suplement 50chf per trip. - Single Room Supplement 100chf per trip. When you book the trip your dorm room is guaranteed. If there is availability we can upgrade you to a single/ double / twin room. Let us know what you need after you have booked. Availability is seldom a problem. You will pay locally for any upgrade.

You will get to meet the dogs at Barryland. It is up to you how close you get to them. What is allowed depends on the current health recommendations. All in all, they are gentle giants and as soft as teddy bears.

Sledging is an optional extra, although it also depends on the conditions of the slope. It costs 20 CHF and 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 while others take the plunge. It takes about an hour up and down. If you choose to sledge, you are responsible for your own safety.

Our normal group size for this trip is 7-12 people. You'll make friends with like-minded people.

Start: You'll meet your guide at Martigny Train station, at around 4:00 PM on day 1 of your itinerary. It's easily accessible from Zurich Airport (3 hours)/ Geneva airport with regular direct trains (1h 40 direct, 2h 10mins with a change). End: Your guide will drop you back off at the train station on the final day of your itinerary. We aim for 4.30 PM at the latest. Leave plenty of time to return for your flight or continue your experience with a day in Montreux or Geneva. If you choose to fly home that evening, we recommend a flight after 8:30 PM.

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

The food is wholesome and of good quality. You will be served three-course dinners and buffet breakfasts. You will not go hungry. Vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free diets can be catered for with sufficient notice. For other diet requests or allergies, please be sure to let us know.

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

You can leave anything you don't want during the days in the accommodation. Some of the accommodations we need to hike to are 2 km away. On those occasions, you can leave what you don't need in the bus.

Very easy, with trains two or three times an hour. Swiss trains are known for being efficient, and this train ride offers some beautiful views along the way. We pick you up at the train station. The train journey that most of our guests take, Geneva - Martigny, is part of the magic of this trip. You can use the website sbb.ch to plan your trip.

While we do everything we can to match this advertised itinerary, but 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 Hospice as it can be a potentially dangerous route in poor weather or avalanche conditions. In such a situation, your guide will choose another suitable and safe route.

Because the routes are chosen to make the most of the conditions it is impossible to give exact mileages. A typical trip though would be: Day 1: 0kms - this is a meet, greet and learn about equipment evening. Day 2: 8km 421m up and down. Then optional sledging. Day 3: 7 kms 600m up and 100m down. Day 4: 5kms 500m down.

The Grand Saint Bernard is a very special place. There may be an opportunity to attend a Latin Mass, Evensong or space for reflection. Effort and the location certainly give you something to reflect on. However, this is totally optional. You can just relax and drink tea, wine or read a book if you prefer!

Due to the distances and ascents covered on this trip, it is geared towards adults. Therefore the minimum age for this trip is 18 years. However, teens between 16-18 years are welcome to attend in the company of a responsible adult. Please also be aware that accommodation is in mixed dormitories. Should you wish for someone younger to join the trip, please get in touch. We deal with these requests on a case-by-case basis.

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, this would be a perfect opportunity. There are also some of the world's best train trips starting near here. Your host can advise. Your host will also happily extend your trip with ski instruction or further snowshoeing trips if you would like a longer trip. Ask them for details and prices. If you are on a pre-Christmas trip, we highly recommend the Montreux Christmas Market. The market is for young and old alike, full of Christmas buzz. Another option is to take a train to the summit of the Roche de Naye. Or, for the more adventurous, take a train, bus and cable car to walk between two summits on the Glacier 3000 Peak Walk. If you want to stay to go skiing or snowboarding, we can put you in touch with our friends at various ski schools.

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

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.