experience Nature
Jonathan Perret

What to do in Chamrousse except skiing, what are the winter activities ?
 
Hiking of course! To hike in Chamrousse in winter in the heart of unspoiled nature, nothing beats snowshoes. Even with little snow, you can enjoy the mountains and discover the Belledonne massif gently. No need for a ski pass, the routes are free, for the day, the price of a snowshoe rental in Chamrousse is around €9. Rather than renting from Décathlon, play the local game and go visit Chamroussian rental companies, like Vernon Sport !

There are 6 marked routes marked out by the Chamrousse Guides Office, from a one and a half hour loop walk to a real day hike. Sometimes in the heart of nature, sometimes on the edge of the Nordic or Alpine domain. Apart from these marked routes, you can choose to do your own route as long as you do not go on the ski slopes or in the snowmobile and quad park. You can also choose to go on a snowshoe hike accompanied by a mountain guide (AeM), the children will love this family discovery activity. On the program: recognizing animal tracks and prints, observing chamois or birds, and sliding in the snow!

Whether for snowshoe hikes in Belledonne, Vercors or Chartreuse, all around Grenoble you will find quiet areas for the black grouse, it is important to respect them to allow this animal to spend the winter without spending all its reserves while fleeing.

The advantage of snowshoe hikes is that you are not dependent on the opening of the ski lifts. But there is also the possibility of purchasing a winter pedestrian pass, taking the cable car from Recoin (Chamrousse 1650) and arriving directly at the top of the ski area and the Croix de Chamrousse route (altitude 2250m) , to then go back down via route 5 or via Lake Achard. This will be the opportunity to start your hike with the footbridge above Casserousse (be careful, it is closed in winter) and to have a magnificent view of the main massifs of Isère and the Northern Alps.

If in doubt about the snow cover or the height of the sea of ​​clouds, and whether Chamrousse is above the fog, you can consult the resort's webcams and this site to find out the weather forecast.

Below you will find the best marked snowshoe trails around Arselle and towards Lake Achard. The hikes to the Robert lakes, the Petit Van or to the Pra refuge and the Croix de Belledonne are not described because they require a little more experience. Note that the marked ski touring route partly follows the snowshoe circuit which goes up to the Croix de Chamrousse.

At the bottom of the page a reminder of the equipment necessary for hiking in winter on marked trails (apart from secure routes you will need to take with you and learn to use the trio beforehand: avalanche beacons, shovel, probe).