Explore-Share logo and link to home

Snowshoeing to the Grand St. Bernard Monastery in the Swiss Alps

Snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps
Snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps
Snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps
Snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps
Snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps

Join a unique snowshoeing adventure in the Swiss Alps and discover the St. Bernard Monastery. You will also get to visit Barryland, home to the St. Bernard dog!

Group

Alps

4 Days

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec

Occasional

All Levels


Highlights

  • Enjoy a 4-day snowshoeing adventure in the Swiss Alps.
  • Visit the Grand St. Bernard Monastery.
  • Spend time in Barryland, home to the St. Bernard dog!
  • Enjoy some food and tea with the local monks.

Description

Would you like to enjoy an easygoing outdoor winter adventure? Then join us on this 4-day beginner snowshoeing program to the St. Bernard Monastery in the Swiss Alps. 

The St. Bernard Monastery is located in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of 2,469 m. It is a unique spot that we will reach on our second day on snowshoes. On the way, we will enjoy snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps with the gorgeous mountains as a backdrop. Once we reach the monastery, we will enjoy some tea and food with the monks before briefly crossing over to the Italian border. You can find a detailed itinerary below.

Keep in mind that this is a beginner program, so all you need is a good fitness level and a good disposition to join. We will meet you at the Martigny train station,  just a 1 1/2 hour ride from Geneva.

Ready for an exciting 4-day Snowshoeing adventure in the Swiss Alps? Then contact us now and we will be happy to guide you!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Breakfast

- Dinner

Price details

Snowshoeing equipment is included

Lunch, snacks and drinks are not included.


Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Introductions

You’ll be collected by your guide at the Martigny train station at 16:00. On the arrival at the accommodation, we’ll do group introductions with tea and cake, followed by some time getting to know the equipment. You’ll then have a chance to settle into the accommodation before dinner.  The dinner, bed and breakfast are included. The lunch, snacks and drinks are not included.

Day 2: Snowshoe Skills and Journey

On this day, we’ll head out from our base in the mountain valley, to a location that’s fantastic for gaining snowshoe skills, learning how to move over the snow with ease. We’ll also complete a small journey into the Swiss wilderness, with incredible mountain backdrops. Once back at the parking, you will be given the option to participate in some sledding, or to enjoy a warming hot drink at the cafe.

Day 3: St Bernard's Monastery

An early start will see us on the trail to ascend to the Grand Saint Bernard Monastery, where we will have a break for tea and lunch with the monks. Afterwards, we’ll make a journey across the Italian border, before returning to the Hospice for dinner and (optional) evensong. 

This part of the trip is subject to conditions. It is a high mountain trail and not suitable in poor weather conditions or when avalanche risks are high. In this situation, another route will be chosen.

Day 4: Descent, Cheese and Dogs

Following the breakfast with the monks, we will descend into Switzerland via the ascent route. If we have time, we can visit a laiterie  for some local cheese tasting, before visiting Barryland – home of the famous Saint Bernard dogs! 

You’ll be at Martigny train station by 15:30 for trains to the airport and other towns along Lake Geneva.

 

Details

Accommodation

Included.

Meeting point

Train station (direct train ride from Geneva Station).

Frequently Asked Questions

What if there is bad weather?

What is the minimum age?

Tell me about the sledging?

How fit do I need to be?

Can I leave my extra luggage somewhere?

How easy is the train transfer?

What altitude do we trek to?

Do I need travel insurance?

What should I bring?

Where does the trip start/end?

What is the group size?

Should I tip my guide?

What's included?

What is the food like? Can you cater for certain diets?

What is the weather like?

I want to stay a few extra days. What else is there to do?

What currency do I need?

Do I get to/have to cuddle the dogs?

What is the accommodation like?

About the guide

We are Tom (UIMLA Mountain Leader) and Paul (UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide), two friends who have worked in the outdoors for over 20 years each.

We have lived around the world and have an incredible wealth of outdoor experience and qualifications. We all love, work and play in the Swiss Alps.

We love sharing our local environment with guests and helping them to get the best out of their holidays. We have trips going out most weeks so come and join us or contact us if you would like something similar on a different date.

Languages

Norwegian | French | English

Certificates

UIMLA | UIAGM | IFMGA


What people are saying about Alps Adventures

Sarah Booth

5.00

September, 2023

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Cristina Modillas

5.00

September, 2023

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Malgorzata Skotnicka

5.00

August, 2023

Had fantastic time, all four days were fantastic! Could not have asked for better experience. Our guide Alana made things work perfect. Her approach to each person individually was great. Alana was very helpful at all stages of the trip.

Olga Khimich

5.00

August, 2023

Absolutely Amazing Guided Tour! I would trust Alena with my life. She is just what the ideal guide example- gives professional advises and looks for the safety of each member of the group, somehow gives an opportunity to explore you own limits on speed and abilities. Every single sleep over and meal well organized and advices. One day defer from another - makes it more interesting. Good geografic knowledge of the Alps, Wich have us visual understanding and possible to appreciate it. Thank you Alena 💖💖👍👍

Rachel Jane Lambert

4.00

July, 2023

Tour was great. Gide was brilliant at somethings, but no safety briefing, check or intro before we left. He knew the area well and places we stayed were great. I got confused who was leading the trek, were there 2 agents, then the guide?? It would have been good to have had contact with the guide beforehand and had a reminder of all info sent to us.

Elaine Aquilina

5.00

July, 2023

Great first time experience of hiking in the mountains. We were a group of 14 ladies with different abilities. Our guide was very knowledgeable and assisted us in all that we needed. Very easy to book. Highly recommended.

Lucy Elliott

5.00

July, 2023

This was my first solo trip away and it was amazing. The trek was organized perfectly - I received a message from Louise the day before checking everything was okay and organising the last few things. I also had a message from the guide Paddy the day before introducing himself to everyone which calmed the nerves of meeting lots of new people. Paddy was great - he was very informative about the surrounding area and taught me loads about hiking! I cannot recommend this trip enough - it was stress free and a little adventure away from the hecticness of life! As a top tip - do not forget your Crocs!

Fuad AlZayer

5.00

July, 2023

Amazing trip . Amazing route . Great accommodations. Amazing guided . Just perfect 👍

DONNA Burnett

4.00

July, 2023

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Adi Pinhasi

5.00

June, 2023

Tracy and Paul were fantastic. Also, in time of trouble, when one of the group broke his ankle, teams was there to help out.

Jessica Wilcox

5.00

September, 2022

Ben was a great guide. I appreciated how straight forward he was, no sugar coating things. We really had a great time. Discussion of how what the hike really is (Tour des Muveran) and the level of difficulty required should be explained in the tour synopsis. As it is, I don’t think most people on the tour were ready for that level.

Trudy L.

5.00

September, 2022

Had a great time with our guide Ben on highlights of Tour De Mont Blanc! Ben was super helpful and attentive to the group - it made the trip a very enjoyable and memorable experience!

Asmae Laaouini

5.00

September, 2022

We had thé best guide ever. I enjoyed the trip a lot

Kertu Loot

5.00

September, 2022

I had the best time ever! Paul was such a wonderful guide. I hope to join more adventures with him soon!

Christopher Mcadams

5.00

August, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.


 

You may also like

 

 

Join our newsletter!

Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.