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Our "mountain professionals" are firmly rooted in their region, so they're full of unique and original ideas. They know their mountains inside and out and are happy to show visitors their "secret" places and to share their passion and enthusiasm. In addition to being highly qualified on a technical level, they are also friendly and approachable, providing interesting conversation over a good meal after your day's exertions.
Nowadays many of our mountain "pros" are also great travellers, grasping every opportunity to leave their mountains to explore the world (usually the mountains or the desert), before returning refreshed to their homeland. When they lead trekking holidays organized by their respective travel companies, they are always keen to show off their particular corner of their region, advising you of the best route to follow when snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, or introducing you to the skills of ice-climbing or telemark skiing. Forget the stereotypical image of a silent mountain dweller - these guides are not only able to recognize the tracks of a black grouse in the fresh snow, but they'll also entertain you with their lively stories and experiences. Read on to meet some of our guides.
Lionel Fouque - founder of Pedibus and a specialist in snowshoe trekking in the Chartreuse
A pioneer of snowshoeing who is very attached to his native Chartreuse mountains, with their national park and famous monastery. Attracted more than 15 years ago to this method of winter exploration, Lionel was one of the first organizers of the "Journée nationale de la raquette à neige" (National Snowshoeing day), which was held for the eighth time in January, 2009. He is the undisputed champion in finding paths across the mountains and through solitary hamlets hidden in the depths of thick forests and secret valleys, leading visitors through the foothills of the Dauphiné region he knows so well, including unusual peaks such as the Charmant Som, Le Granier, the Dent de Crolles and the Grande Sure. Based in the traditional village of Saint-Pierre d'Entremont, Lionel, along with other colleagues, has come up with a range of themes that can be added to a snowshoeing excursion, such as painting, tasting local gastronomic specialities, and exploring the region's natural landscapes or cultural sights. He also organizes "walking journeys" in deserts, on Mediterranean islands and in Nepal via his extremely successful holiday company, Pedibus.
Yvan Estienne - a "nomadic" guiding guru in the Hautes-Alpes
Thirty years of mountaineering and trekking have provided this guide, who was born in the Vallouise valley in the Massif des Ecrins, with fascinating memories and anecdotes. Although still fiercely attached to his region, Yvan is also passionate about travel and is often found on expeditions or eclectic adventures overseas, such as sailing and skiing in the Norwegian fjords. Co-founder of the dynamic travel company Azimut-Montagne, which also offers ice-climbing and Via Ferrata (in summer), Yvan has been a guide trainer for many years. This enthusiastic veteran of the mountains still offers cross-country skiing in the Queyras and Briançonnais regions, as well as off-piste skiing on "secret slopes" in the Voie Lactée (Montgenèvre-Sestrières) and elsewhere, with the additional attraction of a friendly bed & breakfast run by his wife!
Jean-Marie Valentin - experience the best snowshoeing adventures in the Vosges
With his distinctive mustache and strong accent, Jean-Marie looks like a typical guide of the Munster valley, located on the Alsatian side of the Vosges mountains. Heavily involved in the development of the guiding profession (via the professional local guiding association) and snowshoeing (like his colleague Lionel Fouque), he accompanies visitors on day trips or longer treks through idyllic winter landscapes covered in pristine fresh snow. A stone's throw from the farm-inns of the Marcaires (the name used for the dairy farmers and cheese producers of Munster), the countryside here is inhabited by chamois, and dotted with small lakes covered with snow, thick forests and bare mountain peaks (known as "hautes-chaumes" and used for pasture in summer). Working with three colleagues within the Cimes et Sentiers association, Jean-Marie is renowned for his ability to create a "spirit of adventure and friendly atmosphere" on his trips. His colleague Cynthia holds a Handisport (sport for the disabled) qualification.
Jean-Luc Ranvier - guided trips around the Massif du Sancy in the Auvergne
Jean-Luc Ranvier and his team accompany visitors on snowshoeing treks around Mont-Dore and the other peaks and volcanoes of the Auvergne. Particular attention is paid to the landscapes themselves, with a trek at sunset, as well as a moonlit trek (or perhaps a "snowlit" trek!), during which visitors learn all about the evolution of these natural landscapes. Discover Lac Pavin set in a crater, the Vallée de Chaudefour worn down by ancient glaciers, forests which withstand the cold and the wind, and the wild open spaces of the Massif du Sancy...while at the same time absorbing the typical atmosphere of the region and enjoying delicious, warming meals in a Buron (a typical barn of a Cantal cheese producer) or tasting regional dishes based on Saint-Nectaire cheese, another local AOC speciality.
Rémi, Vincent and friends - part of the Vagabondage network, in the Pyrenees, Ardèche and elsewhere...
From the Pyrenees and the Ardèche regions, these enterprising guides and mountain leaders are great advocates of walking holidays and are passionate about their mountain regions. Founders of renowned walking companies such as La Balaguère and La Burle, these guides have come together to create the aptly named "Vagabondages" network. This professional, enthusiastic network is made up of between 10 and 20 guides offering a range of all-inclusive holidays and tours, often with an innovative theme, including personalized, multi-themed holidays, such as "walking-spa holidays" (combining physical exercise with well-being) in spa valleys in the Pyrenees or on the upper plateaus of the Vivarais region.
Bernard Lambolez - freeriding and snow sculptures in Alpe d'Huez
A mountain guide who is fully qualified to lead "off piste" ski trips in the wildest skiing areas of Alpe d'Huez (e.g. skiing on small glaciers or weaving through steep corridors from the Pic du Lac Blanc), Bernard differs from his guiding colleagues in the resort of Oisans in that he has followed a very eclectic path: he started life as a specialist in the spectacular and acrobatic discipline of upper river kayaking. In addition, for the past 15 years, along with one of his mountain guiding colleagues, he has been sculpting incredible caves from the ice - a truly spectacular sight! The cave in Alpe d'Huez, situated near the Pic du Lac Blanc cable car station, at an altitude of 2,700 meters, houses large ice sculptures of animals etc. Initially carved using an ice axe, these amusing artificial caves are now sculpted with a chain saw, following the example of the sculptors of the Valloire festival. Not to be missed!
- Further information
The guiding diploma (diplôme d'accompagnateur) was introduced in 1976 and is awarded following completion of a fairly demanding course. The profession of mountain guide was developed with the conquest of the Alpine peaks in the 19th century and subsequently became the subject of formal training, such as that offered by the national school in Chamonix. The two qualifications are often grouped together in one "bureau" in a valley or in one "compagnie" in a mountain range. However, both professions have their own professional association. There are many women among the 4,000 leaders (accompagnateurs) currently working, but only around ten or so among the 1,500 mountain guides. Having said that, things are changing as the current president of the mountain guides' association is a talented female mountaineer by the name of Françoise Gendarme!
- Syndicat des Accompagnateurs en montagne (Association of Mountain Leaders - site in French only)
- Syndicat national des Guides de montagne (National Association of Mountain Guides - site is in French only)
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