Spring Verbier Snowshoeing

Away from the crowds up through the woods we ventured on snow that is crusty in the morning and slushy by midday.

We saw lots of animal tracks. Wild hare, chevreuil, chamois, no camels though...

The impressive massif des Combins and a norwegian spruce tree.

Snow covered renovated mayens, what a view to have every day?! The mont Dolent - Chamonix massif - plateau du Trient. 

Pop! Spriiiiiiiing is trying to burst through at 2000m anywhere the snow cover is thin enough!

Snowshoe Zinal Glacier

Nestled back in the upper valley of Anniviers is a huge glacier (actually it is where 3 glaciers come together).

Up past the Besso and towards the Pointe de Zinal...this is a trip for people who like to walk and take time looking at ice falls.

There is nothing very steep, but it is a gradual uphill and the air is fresh from the proximity to the glaciers! Perfect on a warm spring day!

The entrance to the glacier. The ice is not cold and feels strangely like plastic!

Little humbled snowshoers infront of the glacier entrance. In the winter the meltwater stream coming out is small, so you can enter and walk around under the ice!

Exciting on the inside! 

Orange birch trees close to Zinal. Not sure why they are this color...Any ideas?

Snowshoeing Raquettes in Bruson

Just accross the valley from Verbier is the super village of Bruson. The area is definitely fun and diverse enough to play in in any season!

Snowshoeing around the Norwegian Spruces and Larches we found this mushroom hiding under some snow! It is nice to take the time to see things.

Looking down towards the valley floor. We were just above some cute  mayens (wooden huts one goes to in the month of May to graze the cows).  Although today there are no cows and no grass to graze on!!

Still snowing! What a winter! This is ideal!!!

Yet spring is about to burst out in flower according to what is not under the snow today!

Snowshoeing Raquettes in Bruson

I love to snowshoe in my valley! The wooden chalets look like gingerbread houses with frosting at the moment! There were lots of different animal prints to check out. It makes going uphill less tyring if you stop and analyse them!

Looking accross at Verbier and the Pierre Avoi...aaah, just a beautiful morning!

A birch tree with its paper bark unravelling. Do you think early sapiens used it like post-its? "Dear, please bring home a wooly mamoth for dinner soon."??  😀

Snowshoeing in Champex Lac

The Val d'Arpette was a perfect destination today as it was cloudy and sort of a white out all over the Entremont region in the Valais.

Magical lichens of every kind imaginable hanging onto the larches (mélèzes). Absolutely awesome to check all the different shapes and colors it comes in!

Definitely clean air up here, as lichens cannot grow in heavily polluted areas. 

Even the snow was hanging its tongue out by the time we were ready to head back down! Snowshoeing is the activity where you burn the most calories! Woohoo! Bring on bikini season!

Snowshoe Raquettes at White Pods

Ever heard of 'Glamping'? Well the White Pods are the ideal place to discover glamorous camping with Mountain Leaders to hike you around to see the nature in this amazing place. Just perched above the Rhône Valley, you have views all the way to the Jura mountains and can see the Lac Léman too!

Amazing wind storm of the fohen winds on the Dents de Morcles! Glad we weren't snowshoeing there!!

Beautiful pastures all white and magical in winter!

 

Here is a view all the way back to the Grand Combin! Wow! What a treat to see it from this aspect!

Snowshoeing descent in the larch forest! Just the perfect snow for a great slide down on our behinds! Yahooo!

Snowshoeing on the Mont Arpille

Just above Martigny is this little 'bump' that most people totally overlook.

The views onto the Rhone Valley and the Valais summits are gorgeous! 

Views of glaciers and if you can sweat it, you get a view of Mont Blanc that is just amazing! Really a little bump worth visiting!

Wild wood piles!

Crazzzzzy people snowshoeing here!!! Yikes! That is my track! Not very straight is it?!

Chamonix Snowshoeing

Who can resist?

Just across from Argentière the snowshoeing is amazing at the top of Flégères!

Top of the Brévent, not on snowshoes, but in the summer it can be done on foot. 

Some fun wildlife!

Oh la la! Mais oui, mon chéri!

Hopefully this guy is in his warm hole in the ground dreaming of summer wildflowers!

And some fun locals too!

Hahaha!

Mont Blanc and the village of Chamonix right below the clouds. Lots of Alpine Yellow-Billed Choughs flying all over the place. I guess they like the views and our picnic crumbs!

Snowshoeing in Val de Bagnes Verbier

Yeeehawww! We have just gone to being the driest winter to having more snow than I can play in!

 It has been dumping in the Swiss Alps off and on since the 3rd of Jan now!

Some strange creatures live in these forests near Verbier! Make sure you look up even if it means getting snowflakes in your eyeballs.  

And then there is the survival of these ferns who came out of the sea, once a long time ago! Look at how much they love the snow too, they are hugging it!! Yeah!

Lots of snow to move around in, have to take advantage when someone has already been by and made a trail. It looks like a few people braved coming out here in the last 2 days.

Snowshoeing to the top of wild wood piles! Not sure the locals would appreciate this...luckily there is rarely so much snow at this altitude. 

Enjoying playing with the winter wild conditions!