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A snow covered magic mountain is not only for athletic skiers,
but also for leisure walkers !
Everybody can snow-shoe trek ! If you are a walker, you can also become a snow walker.
It's easy ! There is no particular technique to master and, no tremendous fitness level required ; snow walking is no more strenuous than a normal summer walk.
There is no need to worry about the equipment, we supply it all : snowshoes, poles and gaiters. All you need are your usual walking boots which attach to the snowshoes.
The first walk will be flat to practice the walking with the new equipment. The progression is slow and smooth ; no faster than a normal summer walk. We shall then progress in single file which is the best method for walking in the snow.
You will be captured by the silence. The contrast between immaculate white surfaces, the deep green of the pine forests, the soft underfoot, the sparkling of the sun on the snow crystals, all set under the deep blue of the sky is unique and offers a myriad of different impressions for all your senses.
Walking through a sleepy, absolutely silent valley, we shall suddenly come across a fresh mountain river jumping, dancing and singing through the stillness of the soft surroundings. The river bed cuts through the snowy landscape, big rocks, covered with pristine snow look like white islands in the middle of the crystal clear water.
The exploration of the mountains is endless: snowshoe trekking does not restrict us to stick to the path; we can go wherever we want - respecting security, of course.
We shall discover footprints of various fauna, all which will be explained to us by our guide, and sight some mouflons, ibex or chamois on the sunny side of the mountain.
Located in the Alps, in the region of Haute Savoie, Samoëns offers an exceptional mountain environment boasting much diversity including a flat glacier valley, typical forests of mid-altitude mountains, high mountain pastures, alpine summits and more.
Samoëns is one of the oldest authentic mountain villages. Lying at 720 m altitude it offers not only fantastic walks but also exudes in culture with quaint architecture, botanic gardens and the stonecutters at work
Accommodation : village de vacances Les Becchi
Located 400 m from the village, at the edge of a wood and alongside a mountain river, Les Becchi offers a friendly mountain and family atmosphere. Rooms are twin, on suite.
The chefs will serve you the local gastronomy, such as fondue savoyarde (cheese fondue), crozets (a type of pasta from the Savoie mountains) diots au vin blanc (local sausage cooked in white vine), tartiflette (potatoes baked in the oven, with onions, bacon and cheese), and raclette just to give you a small sampling. Wine is included and served "à discretion" (as much as you wish).
You will find a full variety of leisure facilities:
- Spa centre with sauna, Turkish bath, indoor heated swimming pool (28°C!!).
- Evening animation: dance, plays, shows…colorful moments to share together.
Service level for our group:
- Full board, wine included, based on 2 sharing
- Maid service and towel change 2 days in the week; no room cleaning the other days
- Access to leisure facilities and evening animation
Xavier, the local SportActive guide... 
...was born in Samoëns and has explored the area's walking paths, mountain bike trails, ski slopes and snow walking options all his life. He can explain all the local habits and customs of the region and knows the places to find the chamois, ibex and other alpine fauna. He speaks perfect English.
Flora will be walking with the group as well. (Under no circumstances I would miss this ! Flora)
Practical aspects
After breakfast, we shall propose a session of soft gymnastics and stretching.
Our walks will take place when the sun is high in the sky : between 13:00 and 17:00
Clothing: besides snow boots and your walking boots, you will need warm & comfortable winter clothes, your walking equipment plus a pair of thick gloves and a winter hat to protect your ears! Sunglasses are absolutely necessary, as is sun cream!! A thermos flask for tea is a smart idea.
After the walks, we shall enjoy the friendly, warm atmosphere of Les Becchi: Sauna, steam bath, indoor pool (28°C!), fireplace etc.
The package includes:
- 7 nights full board in Les Becchi, based on two sharing one room
- 5 guided snow-walks
- Snow-shoe equipment
- airport transfers with private bus ( 1 hour from Geneva)
Not included are:
- Single room supplement: 15 €/night
- Local transport to the walks : about 10 €/day
- Private medical insurance & travel insurance
Contact us for group prices
Package without flight :
- This amount will be invoiced in €uro; the exchange rate at the moment of payment will apply for the guests who wish to pay in Sterling.
- booking closure 15th November 2011
Package with flight :
- We invoice your flight at cost +15% admin charge (for our guests in the Sterling zone, we invoice it in Sterling if the air company is British - this avoids going through exchange rate with €)
- You can also buy your own flight, as long as the landing/take off times in Geneva airport are close to the times of the Aer Lingus flight from Dublin (in order to be able to join the airport transfer)
- 8th to 15th January, 2012
- booking closure 30th November 2011
- groups of 12 to 15 people, please contact us to determine a different date if this one does not suit you.
Flight details
Sa 08.01.2012: Aer Lingus flight n° EI 684, dep Dublin 12:10, arr Geneva 15:15
Sa 15.01.2012: Aer Lingus flight n° EI 685, dep Geneva 16:00, arr Dublin 17:55
www.aerlingus.com
Contacts :
For any further information, please contact us
Please make sure you have valid private medical insurance and travel insurance
Book Now!
If you would like to book your place on this holiday, please download the booking form and return with a deposit of 200 € per person.
You prefer to talk to us before sending your booking request ? On the numbers below you will talk to :
- Martin : 0044/ (0)28 7136 5997
- Martin mobile : 0044/ (0)75 997 191 79 ; 00353/ (0)86 196 6006
- Flora : 0033/ (0)4 78 59 18 90 ; 0033/(0)6 99 79 12 54
How to book your holiday and pay the deposit :
- post the completed booking form + cheque made payable to SportActive, to: SportActive, 1st Floor, 2 Dacre Terrace, L/Derry, BT48 6JU, N Ireland
- by bank transfer in € or £ : please contact us to receive the bank details
Once we have received the deposit, we shall send you a SportActive-Atol-invoice for the outstanding balance of the holiday (to be paid 8 weeks before departure)
Airport transfers :
For the SportActive Cycling Centre in Mallorca : will be organized in function of your flight details ; if you book your own flights the flight details must be forwarded to SportActive with your booking. If any change in your flight schedule occurs later, please check with us if and how this affects your airport transfer. For all changes in transfers an administrative fee will apply.
The transfers for groups are organized with a privately hired bus.
The transfers for individuals or small groups under 5 persons are booked with a shuttle service.
A private taxi can be organized on request ; additional charge applies. Please ask us.
For other holidays : the flight details of the group are indicated in the package description. If you organize your own flights, you must make sure you land in the arrival airport no later than 1 hour 30 min after the group flight in order to join the programmed airport transfer.
SportActive will organise accommodation and activities. The price is inclusive with the following exceptions:
- Cycle hire is extra
- On walking trips there will be a small additional charge for local taxis to walks start and return to hotel (for certain tours)
- Participants are responsible for their own insurance.
- All participants are responsible for their own safety.
- All participants (cycling) must at all times obey the rules of the road.
- All participants are responsible for their own fitness/health to take part in an active holiday.
- SportActive will accept no responsibility for accidents or injury to participants during the trip.
Travel Insurance
UK residents : click here to book your travel insurance
EU residents : click here to book your travel insurance
Please make sure you have valid travel insurance for all bookings !
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