The Jura Mountains in nordic ski

The aim is to give everyone the independence and confidence to enjoy more off-piste skiing.
Sunday: Meeting at 5.30pm in Les Rousses for those travelling by car OR at 5.20pm in front of La Cure SBB station (3km from Les Rousses).
Ski hire for those who wish. Settle into the gîte for the evening.

Monday: la Combe à la Chèvre
Departing from Lajoux, the highest village in the massif and home to the Maison du Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura, we head off through pastures and woodland to discover gentle landscapes dotted with farms. We climb gently up the Combe à la Chèvre to the Ferme de la Regarde, at the gateway to the famous Forêt du Massacre, renowned for its harsh climate and home to the emblematic capercaillie.
Length: 13 km Altitude gain: 300 m Time: 5H00

Tuesday: the Parc jurassien vaudois
We cross the Swiss border on skis straight from the gîte (or after a short transfer to Le Balancier). Like smugglers, we'll make our way up to the Givrine mountain pastures and maybe even as far as the Genolière refreshment bar or the Rochefort hut, where we'll catch a glimpse of the Alps!
Length: 15 km Altitude gain: 450 m Time: 6H00

Wednesday: la Greffière
No sooner had we left the old royal road linking Paris and Geneva than we were immersed in the Nordic atmosphere above the Greffière farm. We play leapfrog through the silent immensity, the old trees twisted by the elements and the chance to climb to the Col de la Grande Grand under the Dôle to admire the Alps. A long descent on the way back rewards us for our efforts.
Length: 13 km Altitude gain: 400 m Time: 5H30

Thursday: les Hautes Combes
We head south by vehicle to begin our hike at Simard, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Haut-Jura and Bleu de Gex country. We climb up to Les Platières, where all the little lodges, which were insulated in winter, have been renovated. We pass through the aptly named Bellecombe, with its scattered settlements and rolling hills.
Length: 13 km Altitude gain: 300 m Time: 5H00

Friday: les Grandes Chaumilles
We reach the Col de Marchairuz by minibus, to enjoy the highest open spaces in the Swiss Jura. Here too, farmhouses dot the pre-wooded landscape beneath the foothills of Mont Tendre.
Length: 13 km Altitude gain: 350 m Time: 5H30

We may occasionally have to make slight changes to the itinerary indicated, either due to organisational factors (overcrowding of accommodation, groups being split, changes in terrain conditions, snow conditions, etc.) or directly due to the guide (weather conditions, group level, etc.). Trust us, these changes are always made in your interest, for your safety and greater comfort.

FORMALITIES: Valid identity card or passport if coming by train (through Switzerland).

SNOW CONDITIONS: Winter hiking is in a state of flux! In some seasons, the snow cover is perfect and you can enjoy yourself. In other seasons, it's only partial and you'll need to adjust your programme to stay in the areas with the best snow cover. And we're not immune to a period without snow... but the accommodation is booked and we can't cancel without charge. So if there's no snow, we'll still go ahead with the holidays. The atmosphere and light of winter will be there, and we'll be offering other activities such as shooting-biathlon and off-trail hiking.

LEVEL: Technical level 2 out of 4: Introduction to Nordic touring (off-trail) open to all non-beginner skiers with at least a little experience, who have already mastered the basic techniques of cross-country skiing (in particular the snowplough technique, the gliding walk, a duck climbing technique, etc.) and who are in good physical condition.
Physical level 3 out of 5: 5 hours skiing per day. Off-piste skiing (except for a few links). An average of 14 km per day, with a slight difference in altitude of 300 to 500 m/day. Groups of 8 people maximum. As a general rule, we leave the gîte around 9am and return around 5pm. Adaptable, of course, depending on what we feel like doing at the time, the weather, etc.

ACCOMMODATION: 5 nights in a gîte d'étape et de séjour in Prémanon, shared rooms (4 to 5 people) in a warm atmosphere, with shared bathroom facilities. The gîte is 800 m from the car park.
Bedding is provided (sheets and blankets), but you will need to bring your own towel.

MEALS: Full board. Dinners are an opportunity to sample local specialities: "boite chaude", röstis, sausages, etc., while keeping menus varied and balanced (we take care of this throughout the week). Breakfasts are adapted for hiking. Picnics are hearty and accompanied by a hot drink. If the temperature is low, your guide will do his or her utmost to find a shelter (chalet or hut) so that you can enjoy your meal and lunch break.

Groups are made up of 4 to 8 people only.

TRAINING: Murielle, Yohann or Eric, state-qualified Nordic ski instructors, skilled technicians with a love of the Jura!

EQUIPMENT: Equipment is not included in the tour package. You must be equipped with recent Nordic touring equipment. This equipment differs from that used for cross-country skiing. The skis are wider with metal edges, like Alpine skis, but with scales. The binding system means that the heel is always free. The ideal is to take a ski that is not too big, the height of the skier or 5/10cm less, which is easier to handle off-piste, and a pair of poles with a basket wide enough to carry in fresh snow.
Our team of ski instructors has set up an association to buy the equipment best suited to this holiday, which they hire out to participants. We also have a partnership with several sports shops in the Les Rousses resort to complete the package. A week's hire (skis, boots and poles) costs around €90. Hire is payable on site, but it's best to let us know in advance what your size is so that we can reserve the equipment. The instructor will provide skins if they are needed for the terrain or snow conditions.