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Chamonix
Snowshoeing Days
2012
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Course
overview
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Scheduled
days availability
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Icicle
is a real specialist in snowshoeing guiding in
Chamonix, as you will see from the number of scheduled
days we offer it. All you need to do, to join
a day is to book online via our secured system,
and you are sent immediate confirmation and details
of the clothing and equipment you should pack
for you day out.
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Meet
at 09:00 in the Icicle Chamonix office for a briefing,
equipment checks, snowshoe fitting, and a weather
and safety briefing. Set off by bus or train along
the valley to the start of the trek. You quickly
master the use of snowshoes and then off you go!
We aim to return to the Icicle office by 16:00,
just as it starts to get dark. |
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All
our scheduled dates are guaranteed to run, with
a maximum of eight people per guide in a group.
We have no minimum numbers, so this price promise
gives you security that as soon as you book, your
trip is guaranteed to run. If there is only one
person who books on a date, then please note we
provide a half day (up to 3 hours) of private guiding,
not a full day, but the activity is guaranteed to
operate. |
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The
price is for the cost of guiding, and the provision
of snowshoes, and poles. Boots can be provided on
demand too, subject to their availability. You will
be equipped with safety kit such as avalanche tranceivers,
shovel and probe, and the leader will carry a full
first aid kit, emergency radio / phone, and a group
shelter. |
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The
use of a cable car is not required, as we always
head to less frequented areas where the terrain
is rolling nordic style ground, either on a non-glaciated
part of a mountain, or in the forests. If you or
the leader opts for a cable car, you need to buy
your own ticket. |
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Dates:
these
are listed in the column on the right, and they
show the live availability from our secure online
booking system. When you book online, you receive
immediate confirmation, your Alpine Information
Booklet, course specific kit list and invoice. |
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We
are very kindly sponsored by GV of Canada, and our
guides are using Polar Trail snowshoes this season.
Click on the images on the left to visit GV Snowshoes
website. They are the leading snowshoe manufacturer
in Canada, and now they export to Europe too. |
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Course Dates
Cham Snowshoe Day
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So
why choose Icicle? |
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We
are true specialists in snowshoeing. See our blog,
by clicking on the RSS logo (on the right). |
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Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather and conditions each day, so that
you maximise the amount of time spent skiiing each
day. |
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Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to
protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so
that you can budget accurately. |
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We
have a team of over 30 IFMGA guides, and a resort
support team, who all want you to have the best
snowshoe day possible! For more details on the guiding
team and qualifications, please click
here. |
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| Prefer
a private guide just for your group? No problem... |
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the scheduled trips are not ideal, as you would prefer a private
guide just for your group, this is available on any day of the
winter season that you would like, and we can cater for any
group size in multiples of 8 per guide. |
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prices are for the hire of a leader, and all their cable
cars as required. We also include the loan of snowshoes,
avalanche transceiver, snow shovel and probe for FREE.
Please note that some other snowshoeing operators do not
include this kit, and it
could cost a lot extra. |
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Number
of clients
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1
to 4 people
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Extra
pers (to 8 max)
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1/2
day (up to 3 hrs)
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£120
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+
£5pp
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Full
day (up to 7 hrs)
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£180
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+
£10pp
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Day
+ night in hut
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£200
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+
£15pp
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Evening
(up to 3 hrs)
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£120
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+
£5pp
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The avalanche safety kit usually costs about £10 per day,
and the snowshoes about £8 per day. Our prices are saving
you £18 per person per day! Not a bad saving on an already
very competitive price. Also if you want to keep the costs down,
we can select itineraries that avoid the use of cable cars.
In fact this is usually the case, as the most tranquil regions
for snowshoeing, are to be found far away from the cable cars. |
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Snowshoeing
with a local Bernese mountain dog... |
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really is snowshoeing with a difference! You are accompanied
by a beautiful local Bernese mountain dog (is there any
other kind?) and their handler. They show you some of
the best snowshoeing around the Chamonix region, and some
of the hidden gems. We use fully trained snowshoe dogs
that are very well looked after and cared for. In the
photo to the left is our top snowshoe team of Bernese
dog with his handler (a UIMLA guide). They lead many of
our snowshoe days with dogs. Prices for this are the same
as for the private groups (see paragraph above). These
days are very popular with families who are missing their
four pawed friends at home, and with those who want to
enjoy a really nice relaxed day out in the mountains.
Don't worry, these dogs can outwalk anyone, and were originally
bred to live outside in the snows, so are very capable
in the winter. The breed originates from the Bernese Oberland
region of Switzerland, which is best known for the Eiger
mountain. |
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| Moonlight
snowshoeing and fondue evening... |
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are few things more magical than an evening snowshoeing
through the silent snowy forests by moonlight, with the
stars twinkling in the night sky. You finish your trek
at a mountain gits and try local Savoyarde dishes such
as fondue. You meet your guide either in our Icicle Chamonix
office at 18:00, or direct at the location, and return
around 21:00. Dress
up warm (temperatures will drop to about -10°C), and
enjoy this really different night out. Using
the natural moon light and the beam of your head torch,
you are guided to
explore the snowy forests and alpages. It is a really
magical experience, and one of the best opportunities
to see wildlife such as Chamois and Ibex. Best of all,
you are unlikely to see anyone else all evening, so have
the mountain to yourselves.
If you are on a chalet holiday and have a chalet night
off, or are self catering and want a night off cooking,
these evenings will really appeal to you! Price £50
each (based on 4 min, 8 max). |
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