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Guided snowshoeing in Chamonix and around the valley, with your family or friends, for a half day or a full day. You do not need to ski: you follow the tracks of Richard Etellin, a qualified mountain leader.
5.0
84 Google reviews · qualified mountain leader
€250
half day, 1 to 3 people · full day from €450
“Excellent snowshoe hike in Chamonix on the snow, with an exceptional and expert instructor!”
Solène, Google review, translated from French · Read the review
State-qualified
Trained at ENSA in Chamonix
5.0 on Google
84 reviews
27 years
teaching skiing, since 1999
English, French
lessons in both languages
The activity
Snowshoes suit the slopes and plateaus of the Chamonix valley well. In Chamonix, hiking in winter on snowshoes is a popular activity: it needs little technique and lets everyone enjoy the wild nature around the Mont Blanc massif.
For many people looking for things to do in Chamonix in winter for non-skiers, a snowshoe walk is a real discovery: the views, the forest, the change of landscape as you climb. For skiers, it is another way to see the valley. With cross-country skiing and biathlon, it is one of the three winter activities in Chamonix that Richard offers.
On the valley floor, the easy Chamonix snowshoeing trails are marked with signs. Others, more technical, require a mountain leader. That is where guided snowshoeing in Chamonix comes in: Richard takes you there, in fresh snow.
Snowshoe outings led by a mountain leader, Chamonix valley.
On your own or with a mountain leader
| What changes | On your own | With Richard |
|---|---|---|
| The route | The easy routes, marked on the valley floor | More technical routes, which require a mountain leader |
| The landscape | You discover it by yourself | Nature explained: animal tracks, the history of the mountains |
| The day’s conditions | Weather, snow and slope: you judge them yourself | The programme adapted to the weather, the snow cover and your group |
Animal tracks and the history of the mountains: from Solène’s review. Adapting the programme: terms and conditions, article 8.
Who it is for
Visiting Chamonix with non-skiers in your group? Snowshoe walking in Chamonix, guided by a mountain leader, suits everyone. Richard is a qualified professional: mountain leader and cross-country ski instructor.
Snowshoeing in Chamonix is an outdoor activity to share with your children, on a route chosen for everyone’s abilities. From age 10.
A snowshoe adventure in Chamonix for a half day or a full day, in fresh snow, with breaks to enjoy the views. The price covers 1 to 3 people, then €25 per extra person, up to 5.
Snowshoeing needs little technique. In Chamonix, for non-skiers, it is a simple way to enjoy the mountains in winter. And if you then want to try gliding, Richard also gives cross-country ski lessons in Chamonix, from your very first steps.
Routes
Richard offers beginner and intermediate routes. An advanced route is only possible on request. Here are some examples of half-day snowshoe routes in Chamonix; for snowshoeing near Chamonix, two of them are in neighbouring villages, Les Houches and Vallorcine. When the outing uses a ski lift, the lift pass is at your own expense. He chooses the route of the day according to the snow, the weather and your group. For an advanced route, contact the cross-country ski instructor in Chamonix, who is also your mountain leader.
Beginner or intermediate
Two possible routes, chosen according to the snow cover and your level.
Easy and intermediate
Above the village of Les Houches, among the fir trees, facing the snowy peaks.
Intermediate
An outing above Chamonix, on the Aiguilles Rouges side of the valley.
Intermediate
An outing up to a mountain restaurant or café, for the break.
Another outing
A snowshoe adventure in the Chamonix valley, described on Richard’s website: a short approach walk in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, up to the lake, frozen that day. On the way back, the Aiguilles de Chamonix stand behind you. For snowshoeing near Chamonix, Richard sometimes takes his clients on a Col des Montets snowshoe crossing, from the village of Montroc to Le Buet, when the pass is not closed because of avalanche risk; there and back by tourist train.
Options
The price of a Chamonix snowshoeing tour is for 1 to 3 people, then €25 per extra person, 5 people maximum. Equipment not included. 2026-2027 winter rates.
€250
From €450
Extra person
€25
2026-2027 winter rates.
How it works
1
Start at 9 am or 1.30 pm
You agree on the meeting point with Richard when you book, depending on the route. Sometimes it is at Intersport Chamonix Nord, to choose your equipment together. You make your own way there. Richard likes to set off by train, on the Mont-Blanc Express: for the views, and to avoid looking for a parking space. Ask your accommodation for the guest card (carte d’hôte): it lets you travel free by train between Servoz and Vallorcine.
2
200 to 600 m of elevation gain
Snowshoes on your feet and poles in hand, you follow his tracks in the snow, through the forest and then onto the plateaus. The programme adapts to the weather, the snow cover and the group’s abilities.
3
Back at noon or 4.30 pm
Views of the Mont Blanc massif, animal tracks, the history of the mountains. The valley’s wildlife can be read in the snow. In her review, Solène describes an afternoon that ended with the Mont Blanc Express, the valley train.
Before the outing
Equipment is not included in the price of the outing, and Richard does not lend snowshoes. Nor is the ski lift pass, when the route uses one.
To hire
You hire them from a ski hire shop, for example Intersport Chamonix Nord, Richard’s partner shop, for a half day or a full day. The price is shown in the shop.
To wear
Warm walking boots or snow boots, onto which the snowshoes are fixed.
To wear
Ski-type clothing. Gloves, a hat and sunglasses are strongly recommended.
Safety
In Chamonix, hiking in winter on snowshoes is a mountain outing, and no mountain outing is without risk. The mountain leader’s role is to choose the right terrain and to change the programme when conditions require it.
Each outing depends on the weather, the snow cover and the participants’ abilities. Richard judges them and can change the programme. To see the day’s snow, the Chamonix webcam and weather are on the practical info page.
In winter, away from marked routes, you read the snow and the slope before you go further. That is why the more technical routes require a mountain leader. Richard carries safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, first-aid kit), but with his clients he does not go on terrain that requires it, and he avoids any avalanche-prone gully.
Be in good health, wear suitable clothing and follow the instructions. The outing does not include insurance: personal insurance is recommended.
Based on the current terms and conditions, articles 2, 6 and 8. Read the terms (in French)
Google reviews
5.0
84 reviews on the Google listing
checked on 16 October 2026
During your stay
The same instructor for your winter outings: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and biathlon, also for a Chamonix team building.
A cross-country ski lesson
Classic or skating, from your first steps to advanced technique. €140 for a 1.5-hour lesson, for 1 to 2 people.
Cross-country ski lessons →
A biathlon introduction
Cross-country skiing and shooting with air rifles. €280 for 2 hours, for 1 to 2 people.
The biathlon introduction →
Questions
Among Chamonix activities for non-skiers, a guided snowshoe outing is one of the simplest. In Chamonix, non-ski activities such as snowshoeing need no skiing at all: warm walking boots, snowshoes hired at Intersport Chamonix Nord, and a mountain leader who chooses the route for your group. You walk through the forest and onto the plateaus, with views of the Mont Blanc massif. Of the three winter activities Richard offers, snowshoeing in Chamonix is the one for people who do not ski: cross-country skiing and biathlon both need skis. If you want to try gliding afterwards, his cross-country ski lessons for beginners start from your very first steps.
Snowshoe outings are for families as well as adults, and the route is chosen for everyone’s abilities. Richard offers beginner and intermediate snowshoe routes in Chamonix and the valley: he picks the one that suits your group, the snow and the day’s weather. Snowshoeing needs little technique, and the outing includes breaks for the views and the animal tracks. From age 8, a family session of biathlon in Chamonix is another outing to share with Richard. Note that its air rifles are less suited to young children.
Snowshoe outings are possible from age 10.
No. Snowshoeing needs little technique and lets everyone enjoy the mountains. You need to be in good health and able to walk for the length of the outing: a snowshoe outing in Chamonix and the valley lasts a half day, 3 hours, with 200 to 600 metres of elevation gain depending on the route. During the outing, Richard adapts the programme to the group’s abilities. The snowshoes go on warm walking boots and, as with other Chamonix non-ski activities, you need no skiing knowledge. If you want more effort, try cross-country skiing in the skating technique, which is more physical than classic: Richard also gives skate skiing lessons.
No. For snowshoeing in Chamonix, equipment is not included in the price, and Richard does not rent it out. You hire snowshoes and poles at Intersport Chamonix Nord, his partner shop, opposite the start of the cross-country ski trails. The shop rents them for a half day or a full day, and the price is shown in the shop. To snowshoe in Chamonix, also bring ski-type clothing, warm walking boots or snow boots, gloves, a hat and sunglasses. Where the shop is and how hire works: see the snowshoe hire in Chamonix section of the practical info page.
Yes, that is the idea of the outing. Richard Etellin is a qualified mountain leader, “accompagnateur en montagne” in French: he chooses the route, breaks the trail and adapts the programme to the weather, the snow cover and your group. His Chamonix snowshoeing routes are beginner or intermediate; an advanced route is only possible on request.
This is private guided snowshoeing in Chamonix: the price covers your group of 1 to 3 people, then €25 per extra person, up to 5. Your outing can go to the Prarion in Les Houches, La Flégère, Vallorcine and the Bérard valley, or up to a mountain restaurant or café. It is also nature explained: animal tracks and the history of the mountains, as Solène says in her Google review. His qualifications are on the page of Richard Etellin, state-qualified instructor.
Snowshoeing in Chamonix with Richard costs €250 for a half day, for 1 to 3 people, then €25 per extra person, up to 5 people. A full day is on request, from €450. Equipment and lift pass are not included. A full day runs from 9:00 to 16:30; a half day from 9:00 to 12:00 or from 13:30 to 16:30. All options are listed with the snowshoeing prices. A snowshoe outing for two is also a gift idea for a couple in the mountains.
Book
For a snowshoe tour in Chamonix, choose a half day and the date, then pay the 50% deposit. Full days are booked on request. A question about the route? Write to Richard.
Online booking
Choose the line for your group size: the price is shown. The “Book” button opens Richard’s calendar in a new tab, to choose the day and time; you then enter your details on the secure booking page (in French).
Half day · 1 to 3 people
€250
Half day · 4 people
€275
Half day · 5 people
€300
3 hours, in the morning (9:00) or the afternoon (13:30), from age 10, up to 5 people. Full day: on request, from €450 (ask for a full day).
