Snowshoe tour in the Val d'Anniviers

No lift queues, no piste stress, no stopwatch: snowshoeing is the winter for everyone who simply wants to be outdoors. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. After a few minutes, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. **The Start** We meet at 9:45 a.m. at the valley station of the funicular in St. Luc, timed to coincide with the arrival of the post bus. The funicular takes us up the first metres of altitude, then we strap on our snowshoes and get a quick introduction to moving uphill and downhill comfortably. **On the Way** Then it’s out onto the wide snow slopes above the treeline. Crunching snow, plenty of sunshine and a panorama of the Valais four-thousanders that regularly makes you stop in your tracks. Your guide takes the photos—you just get to enjoy the moment. Along the way, you’ll learn who left those tracks in the snow ahead of you and why the sun shines so often up here. Making snow angels is expressly allowed. **Lunch and Return** We warm up at the Hotel Weisshorn. By around 4 p.m. we’re back in St. Luc, just in time for the post bus and train home. **Key Facts** About 8 km, 200 to 250 metres of ascent, a full day with plenty of breaks. **Requirements** Technically simple, no prior snowshoeing experience needed. If you can walk comfortably for two to three hours, you’re good to go. The pace is set by whoever wants to go slowest. Going solo or as a duo? Perfect—that’s exactly what the group tours are for. **Safe Travels** An avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are always in the backpack, even on a leisurely tour. If you don’t have your own gear, you can rent it along with snowshoes and poles. Your guide will adjust the route according to the weather and avalanche conditions. **Prices** CHF 130 per person in a group of 4 to 8 participants. Prefer your own group? A private tour costs a flat CHF 550 for up to four people, CHF 80 for each additional person. Ideal for groups of friends and families. Rental gear (snowshoes, poles, transceiver, shovel and probe) is available for CHF 100. **Your Guide** Falko Burghausen of beAnywhere is a trainee mountain hiking guide, Swiss Athletics Trailrunning Instructor and internationally acclaimed landscape photographer. Find more winter tours at beanywhere.ch.