As part of Undiscovered Mountains sustainable tourism policy we have chosen to use local guides and instructors for all our activities so that the money generated by our tourism activity is ploughed back into the local economy.
Bernard is a UIAGM high mountain guide and ski instructor and is the head guide for Undiscovered Mountains in the Southern French Alps. He will take you canyoning, via ferrata, climbing, mountaineering and in the winter he is our wolf tracking expert, ski touring, ice climbing and snowshoeing guide, as well as a ski instructor.
When Bernard isn't available we use other fully qualified UIAGM high mountain guides who are local to the area, professional and experienced.
For other activities needing different qualifications, we have spent time choosing the best local guides and instructors in the area.
All our guides and instructors are fully qualified to French and European standards for the sport or activity they guide or instruct and have a wealth of local experience and knowledge. Here are some of them!
I am passionate about horses and it has been my life long dream to have my own riding school in the mountains. I finally took the plunge and set up my own school in 2010. I am a fully qualified horse riding instructor and my school is fully insured and licensed. It is a dream come true for me and I am loving every minute of it. I can arrange anything from a first ever ride on a pony to a full on 3 day hack. My specialism is families - there is nothing more magical than a ride out 'en famille' discovering the Alps on horseback together!
I love the Southern Alps, especially the rivers and have explored every river, torrent and stream there is to find here. The variety in the region is second to none and that's why I love it - the rivers are all so different and they change from year to year - which keeps you on your toes!! I have a 1st degree brevet d'etat d'educateur sportif for canoe and kayak, which means I can take you down all the rivers here in either a kayak, a raft, hydrospeed or hot dog so that you can have some white water fun! I also run the kayak courses.
I came to the Champsaur valley 15 years ago. I'd always wanted to live in the mountains and fell in love with here! I'm passionate about the environment and love trees. I am a fully qualified accomanagteur en montagne and have a diploma in accrobranche (tree climbing). I can show you all the different species of trees we have in Champsaur - some are easier to climb than others ! And if you are interested in plants and flowers you should come walking with me in the spring - there is loads to discover, plants to eat, plants for medicine....
I am a fully qualified kayaking and rafting guide and have been working and paddling on the rivers of the Alps for 30 years! I set up my own white water company 15 years ago and feel very lucky to be able to share my passion for white water training up younger staff and getting out on the water as often as possible with clients. I manage Undiscovered Alps kayaking courses and white water rafting, hydrospeed and inflatable canoe and kayak descents and I love it!
I'm a high mountain guide and live in Gap so the mountains of Champsaur, Devoluy and Valgaudemar are my home ground. I've travelled a fair bit around the world - mainly in the mountains and am still always drawn back to the charm and of course the sunshine of our Alps and the Ecrins National Park. I can take you canyoning, on a via ferrata or on an apline adventure in the Mountains... Les Rouies, La Meije, Barre des Ecrins, Les Bans, L'Olan.... the choice is yours - although I can definitely help you choose!!
I have been passionate about the mountains all my life and am a wildlife and nature enthusiast - I never go anywhere without my binoculars. I was made redundant 2 years ago and decided to follow my dream and re-train as an accompagnateur en montagne (mountain leader). I am now fully qualified and it is the best thing I ever did. I can take you walking or snowshoeing in the mountains.
I am a professional musher. I am passionate about huskies and have over 45 dogs. They are my life and I feel very privileged to be able to work with them doing what they love best. All my huskies are well trained and disciplined and like working with people. I am based up at 2300m in Orcieres all winter and will take you on a husky sledding expedition for an hour, half a day or just a 20 minute taster!
I was born here and discovered paragliding when I was 'younger'! It's quite an addictive sport - be warned - I've flown virtually every day for 'a few' years! I qualified 25 years ago and have the Brevet d'etat de parapente, qualifier biplace et vole. That means I can teach you to fly on your own or you can fly tandem with me. I absolutely love paragliding in the Alps and I also go all over the world to do it. Of course I think flying here is better than anywhere else!
I was brought up in these mountains and love them passionately. I've also travelled around the world but this is my favourite place and I've written up some of the best mountain biking, walking and snowshoeing routes for the local topo guide. I can take you walking, snowshoeing or mountain biking in the French Alps. I do all the different mountain biking disciplines - from downhill to cross country and have competed in downhill - I know a few good routes that aren't on the map!!
I live in Gap and am a passionate climber. I have got my dream job as a high mountain guide and will very happily take you climbing, mountaineering, canyoning or via ferratering in the summer. In the winter I can take you ski touring, ski mountaineering or ice climbing and I am not averse to a good day out snowshoeing either! It's a great job and makes the mountains all the more fun sharing them with clients!
