During the summer holidays every year we organise Alpine Adventure courses - Groups are supervised by fully qualified instructors.

Activities include:

 

• Rockclimbing

• Whitewater Rafting

• Canyoning

• High Mountain Expedition

• Hiking

• Glacier walk

• Via Ferrata

• Abseiling

 

Click here for an Alps Photo Album

 

This is an amazing adventure experience- we have been running courses in the Alps for twelve years and are constantly told that it is one of the most exciting courses that people have been on.

 

Ailefroide - General Information

This area is the centre for our activities in the French Alps for several reasons. It has all of the advantages of a high alpine region with mountains up to 4,000m (approx. 13,000 feet) and spectacular scenery of glaciers, alpine meadows and waterfalls. Ailefroide is at the head of a valley which, in winter, is home to a ski resort. In the summer it is known as a principal centre for mountaineering located in the Ecrins Massif not far from Briancon. The climate in summer is generally hot and sunny with cool nights which makes it almost the perfect venue for adventure holidays. Rising from the valley floor at the side of the campsite are rock walls of over 1,000' providing superb rockclimbing within 5 minutes walk - the crags are bolted and specially equipped for beginners and are ideal for training in climbing. Many of the rivers can be whitewater rafted, and at least one rafting trip will be involved in the holiday; the 18km descent of the Durance River from St. Clement to Embrun. Another activity will be Canyoning which is an exciting new French sport - many of the local glaciers have streams in narrow gorges cascading down the hillsides, and we descend these by abseiling the waterfalls, jumping into plunge pools and sliding down chutes - with a helmet and wetsuit of course! We will undertake mountain expeditions, walking from Ailefroide across 10,000 foot passes and camping in a wilderness area of the mountains. One popular activity for those happy with heights is the Via Ferrata, steel cables high on mountainsides which you clip into and traverse along, often 1000 feet above the ground but perfectly safe. Other activities will give a full programme, and specific rest days are built into the programme on the beach only 40 minutes away (if you still have any energy there is windsurfing here).

 

Accommodation is camping - the beautiful campsite here has all facilities and is set in the pine forest on the valley floor. Instruction on these courses is of the highest standard - our experienced staff include Mountain Instructors, European Mountain Leaders, rockclimbing instructors and local rafting guides.

 

All specialist equipment is supplied - including camping gear, wetsuits, rockboots etc. as appropriate for each activity. No specialist equipment is necessary, but if you have your own equipment you are of course welcome to bring it. Please do not buy any expensive equipment until you have received specific information and advice on what you will need.

 

Costs - £650 per person for 10 days. This doesn't include transport to/from Ailefroide and around the area.