A group on snowshoes making their way across a snow-covered landscape beneath a blue sky, with the majestic Écrins mountain range in the distance.
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A group on snowshoes climbing snow-capped peaks at sunset; the majestic Écrins.
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Tents lit up at dusk, against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks – an invitation to a winter camp.
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Snow tents at dusk, set against the backdrop of the Écrins, beckon you to a winter adventure.
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A group on snowshoes makes its way through a snow-covered landscape towards the mountains under a blue sky.
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A majestic alpine landscape, snow-capped peaks beneath a brilliant blue sky – an invitation to adventure.
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A starry sky and snow-capped peaks – an enchanting panorama for a winter expedition.
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A group of adventurers on snowshoes on a snow-covered plateau, with the majestic Écrins mountains in the background.
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An adventurer on snowshoes, facing the snow-capped peaks of the Écrins under a bright sky.
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An alpine winter bivouac with snowshoes, a tent and majestic views of the Écrins.
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A breathtaking winter landscape featuring a picturesque village in a snow-covered valley.
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A group of snowshoe explorers tackling a snow-covered peak under a bright sky.
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Snowshoe hikers on a snow-covered trail, with the majestic Écrins mountains in the background.
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A group on snowshoes making their way across a snow-covered landscape beneath a blue sky, with the majestic Écrins mountain range in the distance.
A group on snowshoes climbing snow-capped peaks at sunset; the majestic Écrins.
Tents lit up at dusk, against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks – an invitation to a winter camp.
Snow tents at dusk, set against the backdrop of the Écrins, beckon you to a winter adventure.
A group on snowshoes makes its way through a snow-covered landscape towards the mountains under a blue sky.
A majestic alpine landscape, snow-capped peaks beneath a brilliant blue sky – an invitation to adventure.
A starry sky and snow-capped peaks – an enchanting panorama for a winter expedition.
A group of adventurers on snowshoes on a snow-covered plateau, with the majestic Écrins mountains in the background.
An adventurer on snowshoes, facing the snow-capped peaks of the Écrins under a bright sky.
An alpine winter bivouac with snowshoes, a tent and majestic views of the Écrins.
A breathtaking winter landscape featuring a picturesque village in a snow-covered valley.
A group of snowshoe explorers tackling a snow-covered peak under a bright sky.
Snowshoe hikers on a snow-covered trail, with the majestic Écrins mountains in the background.
Snowshoeing

Your first winter bivouac beneath the Écrins glaciers

January to April
2 days| 1 night
Level 2
Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Spend your first winter bivouac night under canvas, facing the Écrins glaciers.
Learn to handle snowshoes, poles, avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel before heading out into the snow.
Sleep facing La Meije, an iconic Écrins peak, under a silent, starlit white world.
Enjoy full guiding: dinner and breakfast prepared together, safety and advice throughout the stay.

Itinerary

  1. DAY1/ 2
    • Accommodation - CampsiteAccommodation·Campsite
    • D+ - Between 250 and 400D+·Between 250 and 400m
    • Activity time - 4 to 5Activity time·4 to 5

    We meet at 10.30am at the Belvédère bar, taking the time to get to know each other over a welcome drink offered by your guide.


    After a briefing on the mini-break, we check the gear and hand out snowshoes, poles, avalanche transceivers, probes, shovels and sleeping equipment.


    We carpool to Le Chazelet (4 km), at the foot of the Écrins glaciers.


    This first day, playful and pressure-free, is the chance to get to grips with the snowshoes and poles, and to familiarise yourself with your personal safety kit before heading into the snow, on a gentle climb of 250 to 400m of ascent.


    We then set up camp for this first night in the bivouac, and enjoy a delicious meal together, prepared by your guide.

The rest is for members

Join the community to read the day-by-day detail, talk to the guides and hear about new dates first.

Join +19,800 adventurers already signed up.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Guide Patrick - Mountain leader (AMM)

Patrick

Mountain leader (AMM)
FrenchFrench
EnglishEnglish

Passionate about mountains and trail running, I’ve made the trails my playground. I’ll take you on a different kind of mountain adventure one that blends effort, enjoyment, and full immersion in nature. No race against time, just the right pace to progress with confidence.  


Trained as a Mountain guide and in alpine safety, I share my expertise to help you tackle climbs, descents, and endurance at altitude. Ready to hit the trails together?

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: throughout the trip, you'll be accompanied by an experienced guide, passionate about snowshoeing and winter bivouacking.
Accommodation: one night in a suitable tent (2 to 3 people), with a sleeping mat and tarpaulin, for your first winter bivouac.
Equipment hire: snowshoes, poles and a safety kit (avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel) provided by your guide.
Bivouac gear: tent, sleeping mat and group equipment are included. Only the sleeping bag isn't provided. It can still be lent on request if needed.
Meals: dinner on day 1 and breakfast on day 2.
A welcome drink during the briefing.

Not included

Transport to the meeting point and travel on site.
Your personal sleeping bag, it can be lent on request before departure.
Picnic on day 1.
Any personal expenses.

What level should you expect

Level 2
You should be at least 18 years old to participate

WHO IS IT FOR?

You want to try your first winter bivouac experience, gently and safely, facing the Écrins.


You're at the right level if:

  • You've already done a few mountain hikes (summer or winter); some prior snowshoeing experience is a plus.
  • You can manage 2 to 2h30 of actual walking, for a total of 3 to 3h30 for the approach to the bivouac site, with 250 to 400m of ascent depending on the site.
  • You're comfortable on slopes that sometimes traverse sideways.
  • You carry your pack in full self-sufficiency: gear for the mini expedition, your day 1 picnic, and sleeping equipment (sleeping bag, liner, mat).
  • You sleep in a tent (2 to 3 people); dinner and breakfast are prepared by your guide (help is welcome).

Getting there

Start · 10h30

Le Belvédère bar in Ventelon

End · 12h30

Le Belvédère bar in Ventelon

Transport

By train

By train

Want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? Trains and buses are your best options for getting to La Grave:

  • Departure station > Paris Gare de Lyon

  • Paris Gare de Lyon > Grenoble station (approx. 3 hours)

  • Grenoble > La Grave (around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by bus, route 55)

  • From the La Grave bus stop > the hamlet of Ventelon / Bar Le Belvédère

The meeting point for your trip is at Bar Le Belvédère, in the hamlet of Ventelon, 05320 La Grave.

By car

By car

Prefer the freedom of a road trip?

Free parking is available in the hamlet of Ventelon, in La Grave, for you to leave your vehicle for the whole duration of the expedition.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the other participants.

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
  • If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
  • If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.
Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.
3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

4.8/ 5 · based on 84 reviews in this category
Après une première expérience réussie j’ai remis ça avec Wildhartt pour un séjour raquette et Poulka dans le Vercors. Un séjour de dingue, super bien organisé, du matos de qualité et un guide 5 étoiles expérimenté !Une aventure humaine en pleine nature pour un dépaysement total 🥰Après ça je n’ai qu’une envie c’est de trouver ma prochaine expé avec Wildhartt 🙏
Très belle expérience,Des explications aux différentes questions que l'on peut se poser pour une première.Un guide super toujours àux petits soins pour nous afin de détailler les lieux, les traces des empreinte d'animaux, la faune et la flore.L'orientation extra.Des paysages magnifiquesA refaire.
Pure moment de déconnexion et de découverte que ce séjour dans les Vosges guidé par Joseph qui nous a appris beaucoup sur la nature et la faune environnante et en plus avec plein de touches d’humour et tous mes compagnons de rando étaient tous au top!!!! J ai adore
Très beau séjour de 3 jours en Raquettes à neige dans le Jura Suisse, avec un guide très intéressant et proche de la nature, le logement en gîte de montagne et ensuite en hôtel plus confortable nous a beaucoup plus, et la découverte d'un sport en immersion totale est extra. Organisation au top de plus la météo était au rendez-vous. Allez y les yeux fermés !
Event organised within a beautiful place with nice views, and the quality/price was good

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do we need to bring?

Once your registration is confirmed, we'll send you a personalised roadbook with all the practical information, including the full list of equipment to bring. Remember to pack several layers of warm clothing for the night under canvas.

Will I have to carry a rucksack during the hike?

Yes, you'll carry a rucksack with your personal gear and your day 1 picnic. The shared equipment (tent, sleeping mats, cooking kit) is split between participants and the guide, so the climb stays manageable.

How do we get around on site?

The guide has a vehicle on site for part of the group. Another vehicle may be needed if the group is large — do consider carpooling with other participants.

Is it really cold at night in the tent?

The tents used are designed for extreme cold and well insulated from the ground. With a suitable sleeping bag (lent if needed), several layers and a good liner, the night stays comfortable. It's more basic than a regular bed, but waking up facing the Écrins is well worth it.

What happens if there isn't enough snow?

We're hikers first and foremost, so even when snow is scarce, the trip still goes ahead. The guide simply adapts the route, and the winter atmosphere is still there. Bring good walking boots as a backup to your snowshoes.

I don't have a sleeping bag suited to extreme cold, what should I do?

No problem: a sleeping bag can be lent to you on request before departure. Just remember to bring a warm sleeping bag liner for hygiene and comfort.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.


Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful break — some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.


They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.


If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).


In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

  • 30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.
  • 35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.
  • 10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.
  • 24% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.
  • 1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

Selected from 9 departures

From
280 €
per person

Want to choose your own date with your own group?

Hassle-free from start to finish.

Full refund if departure is not confirmed
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
Instalment facility available