Savour a short winter escape in the unspoilt Champsaur Valley, where guided snowshoeing adventures meet cosy, gourmet evenings in the heart of the Alps.
Location: Champsaur, southern French Alps
Nestled on the edge of the Écrins National Park, the Champsaur Valley is a hidden gem of the Southern French Alps — ideal for snowshoeing thanks to its diverse landscapes and tranquil, uncrowded setting. This short break invites you to explore peaceful alpine valleys, forested trails, riverside paths, and panoramic ridgelines on snowshoes.
Each day, your qualified mountain guide will adapt the route to suit the weather and terrain, ensuring a safe and rewarding experience in nature. After your day outdoors, return to the comfort of a welcoming mountain farmhouse, where you’ll enjoy delicious, home-cooked evening meals featuring the rich flavours of the region.
With snowshoes on your feet, you’ll access areas the ski lifts can’t reach and few travellers ever see. Each day offers a new perspective on the valley, whether you're winding through a larch forest dusted in snow, crossing a frozen stream, or pausing on a sunny ridge with uninterrupted views of the surrounding peaks.
Your guide will share their knowledge of the landscape as you go, pointing out wildlife tracks and telling the stories of the valley — from its rich farming traditions to its natural wonders. Walks are generally 3–5 hours, with plenty of time to stop, look around, and truly absorb the calm beauty of the winter mountains.
It’s an experience that connects you to the rhythm of the season — quiet, unhurried, and deeply refreshing.
Your base for this snowshoeing escape is a beautifully renovated traditional farmhouse in the Champsaur Valley, offering both comfort and culinary delight. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming — and the food is a real highlight of the experience. In the kitchen is Meg, a passionate and inventive chef from Taiwan who brings her own creative flair to traditional Alpine dishes. Her cooking is a delightful fusion of local ingredients and Asian-inspired touches, resulting in meals that are as memorable as the mountain views.
Your snowshoeing routes follow a carefully planned itinerary, but your fully qualified Mountain Leader will adapt the programme as needed to suit the conditions each day. Factors such as avalanche risk, snow cover, and local weather will be taken into account to ensure each outing is led safely and thoughtfully, allowing you to enjoy the mountains with confidence.
This trip is perfect for those who enjoy walking in nature, great food, and meaningful travel. Whether you're new to snowshoeing or simply looking for a winter adventure beyond the ski slopes, this short break is ideal for:
Active foodies who love combining adventure with indulgence
Solo travellers, couples, or small groups seeking connection, calm, and winter charm
Regular walkers with a good level fitness and a taste for authentic mountain life
No snowshoeing experience is needed — just a good pair of boots, an open mind, and a love of the outdoors.
This trip supports the local economy by using independent, locally owned accommodation who source meals from regional, seasonal produce. By exploring quiet trails away from busy resorts and focusing on low-impact activities like snowshoeing, you'll experience the Alps in a way that’s both enriching and respectful to the environment.
We have arranged a pick up and drop off transfer from the town of Gap which is well served by a variety of train and bus links from the major airports and TGV fast train services.
BY TRAIN / BUS:
Gap has a local SNCF train station. There are direct train links to Gap from Grenoble TGV station there is also an overnight sleeper train from Paris to Gap.
There is also a regular coach service which operates from Aix-en-Provence TGV directly to Gap.
You can plan your train journey using the Oui SNCF website. This works from all major European cities.
BY PLANE:
The nearest airports are Marseilles (MRS) and Grenoble (GNB). From Marseille airport there is a regular coach service directly to Gap every two and a half hours. From Grenoble you would need to get the airport shuttle to the train station and then a train from Grenoble to Gap.
Please ask us about transport options when you enquire as we have become pros on getting people to this beautiful region!
