360 Exp - winter skills7
Brand New!

Intro to Winter Skills in the Spanish Pyrenees

Trek through the powdery wilderness of the Parque Natural de Posets-Maladeta learning essential mountain skills as you go

What's Included?

  • Small Like-minded Groups

    Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people
From
excluding flights

What's it like?

Grab your crampons and ice axe and tackle an epic winter ascent up Tuc de Molières (3,010m)

Hone your avalanche safety and crevasse rescue moves deep in the Maladeta Massif

Bunk down in a high Alpine refuge and build your own snow shelter on a night out in the wilds

Day 1
Guesthouse · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2 – Day 4
Mountain hut · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5
Guesthouse · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6
Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

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For the first and fifth day of the trip, your evening meals will be local restaurants selected by your guide. The mountain huts offer full board. Breakfasts are usually continental - think juices, teas, coffee, yoghurts, bread and jams. Dinners meanwhile are hearty - expect soups, a main course with meat, vegetables and a side dish (rice, polenta, pasta), and dishes like vanilla pudding, crème brulée and fruit salads for dessert.

Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form.

What is the accommodation like?

360 Exp - Luchon19
Bagnères-de-Luchon

You'll spend 2 nights at the Free Range Chalet (or similar), a beautiful guesthouse located in Bagnères-de-Luchon. This guesthouse was constructed during the boom era of the late 19th century in the traditional Luchonnaise way. Inside the building, the owners have tried to preserve as many original features as possible, whilst modernising the facilities. All of the bedrooms are en-suite and have been tastefully redecorated.

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Spanish Pyrenees

You'll spend 3 nights at the Renclusa refuge, located in the Ésera valley at the foot of the Maladeta massif. The refuge was named for the peak directly above it – Tuca de la Pleta de la Renclusa – which rises to an altitude of 2679m. The refuge was constructed in 1912 and has been subjected to several renovations and extensions since. It currently provides 93 beds, running water, indoor toilets, a bar and meals. The refuge is also fitted with it’s own weather station which is part of the NiMet network.

Upgrades

Due to the limited number of rooms, it is not possible to request a private room upgrade for this trip.

This trip is brand new

We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.

Guides

Expert, English-speaking wilderness guides

Accommodation

3 nights in a mountain refuge and 2 nights in a guesthouse

Meals

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners

Transfers

Airport transfers and everything in-between

Equipment

All the survival and snowshoeing equipment you will need

Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.

Personal Expenses

You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.

What's included?

  • Crampons – Grivel G12
  • Ice axe – between 55cm and 65cm
  • Climbing harness
  • Climbing helmet
  • Snowshoes

What do I need to bring?

BAGS

  • Backpack 60+ litres (big enough for all your personal things but remember you will be carrying it)
  • Daypack (20+ litres)
  • Waterproof liner for kitbag or rucksack / drybags

CLOTHES

  • Down jacket
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Breathable wicking layers
  • Fleece jacket or similar
  • Thermals (merino best)
  • Warm hat
  • Inner gloves
  • Ski gloves
  • Buff or neckscarf
  • Lightweight trousers/shorts / skirts
  • T-shirts
  • Underwear & socks
  • Swimwear
  • Sunglasses (make sure they’re decent UV and side protection)
  • Sunhat
  • Something to sleep in
  • Lightweight shoes for inside refuge
  • Goretex gaiters (or equivalent)
  • Hiking boots (worn-in and 4 season waterproof boots with mid-high ankle support and must be crampon-compatible)

SLEEPING

  • Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner
  • Sleeping bag (3 season or 4 season if you wish to spend the night in a snow shelter)

OTHER

  • Universal travel plug adapter
  • Power bank or solar charger
  • Passports (and visas)
  • Travel Insurance documents
  • Ear plugs
  • Suncream
  • Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
  • Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Alcohol hand-gel
  • Headtorch or torch
  • Reusable water bottle x1 ltr
  • Mug (for mid-day tea and coffee breaks)
  • Energy bars and snacks
  • Trekking poles with snow baskets
  • Prusik loops, karabiners & slings

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Welcome and gear check

    Guesthouse
    Twin share
    Dinner included
    Show Day 1 detail

    Your host will meet you on arrival at Toulouse Airport and transfer you to the mountain town of Bagnères-de-Luchon, where you’ll catch your first peep of the snow-covered Pyrenees. You'll have a full kit check to make sure that you’ve got everything you need and chat through your experience and aspirations. All that’s left to do now is settle into your guesthouse, grab some dinner with your fellow adventurers and get ready for the challenging days ahead.

    Day 2

    Head for the mountains

    Snowshoeing
    5-6hrs · 8km · 615m up
    Mountain hut
    Mixed dorm
    All meals included
    Show Day 2 detail

    An early start this morning. You’ll hop in the van and head to the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. It's then time to don your snowshoes as your guide shows you how to move through the soft snow while learning snow safety and how to assess snow conditions and avalanche risk. You’ll then continue through the snow-covered pine forests to reach the Renclusa Refuge at the foot of the Maladeta massif. Tuck into dinner before crawling into a well earned and cosy bed.

    Day 3

    Technical mountain skills

    Ice Climbing
    1-2hrs
    Climbing
    1-2hrs
    Snowshoeing
    1-2hrs
    Mountain hut
    Mixed dorm
    All meals included
    Show Day 3 detail

    Today you'll take your winter skills to the next level. You'll begin with self-arresting, crampon and ice axe work in varying terrain and conditions - building snow and ice anchors and belays, moving over the snow and ice, crevasse rescue and the construction of snow holes. You'll also practice how to use the safety gear before road testing your newfound skills with a series of challenges. It's then back to the refuge for a hearty meal, a glass of wine, and a good night’s sleep.

    Day 4

    Mountain ascent in winter conditions

    Hiking
    8-9hrs · 18km · 870m up · 870m down
    Mountain hut
    Mixed dorm
    All meals included
    Show Day 4 detail

    Today you’ll use your new skills to ascend the Tuc de Molières, an incredible 3,010m peak. You’ll also learn how to climb frozen rocks, belay your climbing partner, build anchors and how to navigate safely down. It’s a long day but once standing atop the peak, the views alone will make all your hard work worth it. You’ll then slowly make your way back to the refuge, where you have the option of crawling into a warm sleeping bag and spending the night inside your snow shelter you built yesterday.

    Note that depending on conditions, you may be climbing an alternative peak, since snow and ice conditions in Pyrenees are notoriously unpredictable!

  2. Day 5

    Journey back to Bagnères-de-Luchon

    Snowshoeing
    4hrs · 6km · 615m down
    Guesthouse
    Twin share
    Breakfast and lunch included
    Show Day 5 detail

    Rise and shine for your final day deep in the Pyrenees. Strap on your snowshoes for one last time and make your way down into the forest until reaching the valley floor where you'll unclip your snowshoes, jump in the van and transfer back to Bagnères-de-Luchon in France. This evening you'll head out for a celebratory team dinner at a local fondue restaurant.

    Day 6

    Au revoir

    Breakfast included
    Show Day 6 detail

    Spend the morning easing those tired muscles in Bagnères-de-Luchon’s thermal baths and hot springs. After a good soak or a stroll through town, it's time to head home. Your transfer will pick you up from your guesthouse and transfer you to Toulouse airport in time for your onward journey.

Getting There

Nearest airport
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)
Pick up
Toulouse Airport
11:00 on Day 1
Drop off
Toulouse Airport
15:00 on Day 6

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Optional Extras

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation in Bagnères-de-Luchon (Single)
…/per night
Pre-trip accommodation in Bagnères-de-Luchon (Twin/Double)
…/per night

Transfers

Private Airport Transfer- One way

To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.

All extras must be paid before your trip starts.

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GOT A GROUP OF 6 OR MORE?

Book the whole trip privately. We sort the details, you split the cost. Pure adventure, zero faff.

FAQs

Snowshoeing is a type of hiking that uses a special type of footwear - a snowshoe - to spread your weight over a larger area to help you move easily across snow-covered terrain. While today's snowshoes look modern, snowshoeing has actually played a vital role in mountain life for centuries, with traders and trappers using early wooden incarnations of snowshoes to move freely through the wilderness.

Snowshoeing is incredibly easy, comfortable, and safe. You simply clip your snowshoe to the outside of your hiking boot and off you go. You'll be in the hands of local, experienced, and trained mountain guides who know the area intimately and will guide you safely throughout the hike.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and are non-compulsory on this trip. Of course, if you feel that your guides provided an exceptional experience then you are welcome to tip as much as you feel is appropriate. You should factor in tipping 10% on top of the bill in any bars and restaurants during the trip.

The water in the Pyrenees is safe to drink and you are able to fill up freely at the refuge and guesthouse that you stay at. Make sure to bring a couple of 1-litre reusable drinking bottles or a bladder.

Absolutely, you can leave anything you don't need at the guesthouse in Bagnères-de-Luchon at the start on your trip. You'll carry your own bag up to the mountain hut so we recommend packing light.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 68kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

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