Giving back one’s place to silence, enjoying the rising of the moon or the sun over an immaculate white coat, capturing unique lights, tracking animal tracks: simple pleasures that can only be appreciated in the mountains. If the mountain huts and shelters are easily accessible in summer, in winter they become oases in the middle of the snow.
Small corners of warmth animated by their caretakers, their babysitters and their stories often told by the fireside. Small decryption of these atypical places, creators of memories, where it is inevitably good to spend a moment.
Most accessible
While some addresses are worthy, others have the advantage of being more accessible, thus more easily accommodating families or people who have difficulty walking. They are nonetheless places cradled by the environment, far from the hustle and bustle of the resorts.
In Narces, the eponymous refuge, located four kilometers from the village and the house of the nearest neighbor, can be reached by car. The more athletic can climb the cross-country ski and snowshoe trails that pass in front of the refuge, located in the heart of the forest.
This winter, fatbike, dog sledding and Nordic ski touring routes should also leave the refuge to vary the pleasures and activities. Also in the Vercors, the Allières refuge-inn is also on cross-country ski routes.
Twenty minutes of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or mountain biking are enough to access this little haven of peace. In this former alpine chalet, lambs, raclettes, vercoulines, a raclette with Sassenage blue cheese, and other grilled meats are cooked in front of the guests over a wood fire in the fireplace.
In Haut-Bréda, in the heart of the Belledonne massif, at the end of the 7 Laux ski area, the Martinette gîte is also a great base camp to experience a moment out of time. Accessible by car or ski touring, it is the start of several hiking trails.
The team also offers various discovery trips and original activities such as airboarding to experience skiing in a different way.
The most atypical
The sitters can sometimes surprise adding a little luxury, fun or originality to their little cocoons. Even if the indestructible star remains the mountain, there are still a few initiatives that deserve to be highlighted as they add a little extra to already unforgettable stays.
In Gève, in the Vercors national park, on the Autrans side, we bask and relax at the end of the day in an outdoor Norwegian bath, heated to 40 ° C over a wood fire. During this time, at the Arzelier pass, the Soldanelle refuge offers an immersion in Mongolia thanks to nights in… yurts.
It is also possible to go up just to enjoy a traditional ravioli gratin before going down, on ski, to the frontal. Now head to the Chartreuse, for another discovery and a different atmosphere.
In Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, wooden cabins, perched 3.5 meters high on stilts, welcome all those who are ready to face twenty minutes of snowshoeing or ski touring to enjoy these little bubbles. warm. Inside, all the necessary comfort invites you to relax, isolated in the heart of the forest. Only maybe the squirrels can show up.
The most isolated
When we think of “refuge” we imagine a place remote from everything. A little adventure that allows you to get out of your comfort zone while enjoying the luxury of the simplicity of life in the heart of nature. Sometimes these experiences are deserved. The more intense the effort, the more the reward is appreciated.
On the Vercors plateau, depending on the amount of snow, access to the Molière mountain pasture lodge is more or less easy, the trail, left in its natural state, not being groomed. The 400 meters of vertical drop can be taken in an hour and a half on snowshoes or Nordic ski touring.
Isolated on a plateau which serves as an alp in summer, peace and nature are the main attractions of this magical place. In the same massif, the Feneys refuge, nestled in the middle of a clearing, offers a plunging view over the valley of Autrans and Méaudre.
To access it in winter there are many options available. The simplest and fastest is possible thanks to the Quelle chairlift, located in the Autrans ski area. Once the biggest drop has been absorbed, there is still more than an hour to see the roof of the refuge.
For those who focus only on physical performance or who wish to see the country, cross-country skiing on their feet, two routes, of twelve and eighteen kilometers also arrive at the refuge. Several snowshoe trails are also passable. Various options for an undoubtedly disconnected evening since up there, there is little or no network!
In Belledonne, it takes an hour and a half of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing to reach the Crêt du Poulet refuge, located in the Nordic area of Barioz. Managed by volunteers, the refuge is animated by a very warm and friendly atmosphere.
Every Friday evening, the full moon evenings begin with a snowshoe climb before continuing around a traditional meal and a musical evening. Good atmosphere guaranteed!
Above Laval, the Habert d’Aiguebelle refuge, recently renovated, also opens its doors as soon as the snow sets in. Isolated, at the end of a valley, it is the perfect place to enjoy a starry sky and full moon nights. If it is reached at the bottom of the valley after an hour and a half of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, it is also accessible from the top of the 7 Laux area.
Twenty minutes of walking only to reach the top of the Jasse, then a long descent into a powdery valley where there is always a track to be made. If the sunset is involved, it is a spectacle that will necessarily remain engraved. Add to that an encounter with an ibex and it will be difficult to leave this little corner of paradise.