Snowshoeing Holidays in the Pyrenees
Last Updated on Friday, 12 October 2012 12:58
If you enjoy the mountains in summer then you are bound to love snowshoeing. The snowshoes enable us to access the hidden parts of the mountains, walk along ridges, across frozen lakes or through forests of snow laden trees.
A basic form of snowshoe, made from hazel twigs and cat gut, has been used by man for many thousands of years for getting about on snow covered lands. The principle of increasing the surface area to reduce sinking is not rocket science, but modern materials have revolutionized the sport, making the snowshoe a versatile ‘all mountain’ bit of kit complete with a ‘free heel’ and crampon style points.
The technique is easy to master (and you will be given any instruction needed), opening up the snow covered mountains which were previously the domain of the highly skilled back country skier. Free from the constraints of footpaths and vegetation, we can wander along undulating ridges, through thick forests and over frozen lakes.
Why Choose Marmot Tours?
Your main guide James Thompson, director of Marmot Tours, has been running snowshoeing holidays since 1999 and prides himself on knowing what it is that makes a good holiday, not just in terms of leading you in the activity itself, but also in terms of organising the other aspects of your holiday. James is a qualified International Mountain Leader and loves nothing more than exploring the white winter landscapes by snowshoe, always with a toboggan handy for some speedy and great fun descents.
Living locally, James and the 2nd guide on your trip know the mountains around Ax les Thermes, your base for the week, intimately, and so can tailor the holiday perfectly to the needs of the group, and the snow conditions. They will be able to give you plenty of information about the local natural environment and aspects of winter safety. James will carry all the equipment necessary to safeguard the group.
Ax has great facilities in terms of restaurants and bars, plus also things to do on the rest day, which we include so that you can either relax (there is a lovely new luxury spa / roman bath in Ax), or try some other local activities such as downhill skiing or snowshoeing, or even do a spot of sightseeing.
Marmot Tours offers week long centre based snowshoing holidays based in the Spa towns of Ax-les-Thermes and Bagneres de Luchon. These weeks are suitable for beginners or experienced alike and the only real difference is the mountain vista's! If you are short of time then our Snowshoe and Spa minibreak would seem like a good option!. We do also offer a more challenging Snowshoeing Expedition where we head into the heart of the he mountain and stay in mountain refuges.
The Leader of this holiday is a Qualified International Mountain Leader