A Trapper's Weekend on the peaks of the Jura

Day 01: Saturday :
Welcome at Le Brassus station at 9.30am. Participants are divided into cars and then a 15-minute drive takes us to the start of the hike.
We'll make our way to the Refuge (1 h 30), perched on the slopes of Mont Tendre, through the meadows and woods of the Jura, a remarkable landscape inherited from its earliest inhabitants. After settling in and having lunch at the refuge, we hike from ridge to ridge, through the hollows of hell, to discover the Pré de St Livre and its geological curiosity: the glacière (3 h). Back at the refuge, a hot box awaits us.
(ascent +: 300 m / ascent -: 120 m)

Day 02: Sunday :
Snowshoe hike on the ridges of Mont Tendre (1679 m). This route takes place in the Parc Naturel Vaudois (Switzerland). Exceptional views of the entire Alpine chain and the Lake Geneva basin. Walk among the spruce trees, looking for signs of the local fauna (chamois, roe deer, hares, capercaillie, hazel grouse, lynx, etc.). Cold meal at the refuge, and return by a different route to the starting point.
(time: 6 h / altitude gain: 400 m / altitude loss: 300 m)
The tour ends at around 17:00.

Level: For contemplative walkers. Hiker level 2 on a scale of 5.
Undulating route with an average ascent and/or descent of 500 m. Itinerant walk.
Average height difference: 500 m
Average time: 3h Maximum: 5h

Climate and snow conditions: We are hikers first and foremost, and if there is no snow, we will still be able to start the tour (from 6 participants). The atmosphere and the winter light will be there, even if you have to carry your snowshoes on your rucksack to get to the snow. We've rarely had to carry our snowshoes since this Jura crossing was first organised. The route is at an altitude of between 1000 and 1700 m.

Internal transport: The journey from the meeting point to the start of the hike is made in the participants' own cars (15 km). Your car will then be parked at the Col du Marchairuz (1400 m). Bring chains in case of snow.

Luggage: Your rucksack will contain your personal belongings plus provisions for meals, which will be given to you by the guide on site. For your comfort, we advise you to take a rucksack of at least 40 or 45 litres, and not to carry too much, as it should not weigh more than 4 kg.

Accommodation and meals: one night in an unguarded refuge. Blankets are available, but you'll need to bring a sheet and pillowcase. In the evening, we prepare the "boite chaude" (baked Mont d'Or cheese with potatoes), a local speciality. Let us know if you don't like cheese or have any food allergies. The guide does the shopping in advance, and will do his utmost to accommodate your diet or allergies (however, if you are on a comfort diet, we invite you to take a break during the weekend to enjoy the good regional produce!) Breakfast consists of biscuits, chocolate, fruit and a hot drink. Picnics are copious and accompanied by a hot drink.
The sanitary facilities are reduced to their simplest form in winter, because of the frost ... but you can roll around in the snow!

Groups are made up of 6 to 12 people. In case of high demand, it may happen that the stay is doubled. In this case, the 2nd group may be in the refuge at the same time as you.

Supervision : Jean-Michel, Yohann or François, local mountain leaders specialising in winter hiking.

Equipment provided: For this hike, you will be provided with a pair of high-performance Inook Expert snowshoes. Ski poles are also available.

Formalities: Valid identity card or passport. Repatriation-assistance insurance is essential, as rescue services are very expensive in Switzerland.