13 independent reviews for Winter walking & snow shoeing holiday in the Pyrenees
Reviews for Winter walking & snow shoeing holiday in the Pyrenees
Sheena Shah review 17 Mar 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Firstly they are set in the most tranquil of locations. The farm-house turned lodge offered brilliant views and was the comfiest of accommodations where solo travelers don't pay any supplements for single rooms (just how amazing is that?). Secondly the owners and our lovely hosts, Lucy and Simon prepared tasty yet nutritious meals from king sized breakfast (Bircher muesli, home grown berries, home-made bread amongst other things) to packed lunch (yummiest sandwiches & cake) to Michelin star 3 course dinners (adapted to everyone's dietary requirements - bless them!) - you'll definitely surpass the daily quotient of 30 plants a week by a long stretch ;-) I had signed up for the snow-shoeing week and I was left sated to my heart's content at being able to hike in snow and get the most stunning views of the snowy peaks of the Spanish Pyrenees. Our wonderful hosts made sure to ensure we would avoid any bad weather spells (I think they are low-key magicians) by planning each day's hike painstakingly. They even moved our rest day to the end of the week so as to ensure we had maximum fun in the snow. The best part of the hikes wasn't just the snow but our very knowledgeable guide who would whip out a whiteboard (I'm not joking) and explain to us the geography & geology of the areas we were hiking. I still don't know how he managed to spot the camouflaged chamois across the valley with his naked eyes. On our rest day we were treated with a geology lesson by Lucy and then an interesting tour of Janovas and Ainsa with Simon (I don't know how they manage to be experts at everything but my statement above about them being magicians stands ;-))2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The glacier is expected to melt by 2030 - so book your holiday fast!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely. Our guide was a local, most of our food was sourced locally or grown in their garden patch and our sandwiches were wrapped in beeswax wraps which are reusable and overall awesome to keep the food fresh. We also visited a local owl and vulture conservancy where we learnt about the conservation efforts for the bearded vultures amongst other species4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
FANTASTIC!Alison Adie review 10 Mar 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Day 2 of snow shoeing, near Portalet. The ascent was exhilarating !2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
No specific tips. The packing list provided was a useful guide for clothing and walking lit needs.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. An excellent local guide led our walks. All meals were made with local produce and we enjoyed coffee in local cafes.Lucy and Simon, our hosts, clearly managed Casa Allue in an eco friendly manner growing a lot of their own produce and managing water and waste sensitively.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic ! The snow shoeing and walking were great and were very well led. Lucy and Simon are welcoming, attentive and thoughtful hosts. The Casa is a comfortable and set in a beautiful location. And all meals at the Casa were delicious!Mary Winterborn review 10 Mar 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Lucy, Simon and Alberto who are so thoughtful and organised things around what the group wants. Perfect hosts and guide, fantastic holiday. First time I went snow shoeing and I had such a great time.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Every week that Lucy and Simon organise will be around a special theme and all details will be thought of, so relax and enjoy3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. conservation and self sufficiency very important part of holiday and the food was really delicious.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really really excellentMike Powell review 2 Mar 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking and snowshoeing to beautiful and quiet parts of the area. Finding out about the geology and social history.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Layers of clothing are essential.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.. Impact on the local environment and waste is minimised. Local people and produce are involved.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a really inspiring and enjoyable experience.Stephen Lustig review 19 Feb 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Fabulous guided walking in stunning scenery, snow shoeing, and superb food and accommodation, all hosted by a lovely friendly couple2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be reasonably fit, in order to enjoy the walks3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. A local guide was employed. Very little environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant in every wayMichael Garrity review 23 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Each day was memorable. The hikes were curated to highlight the incredible scenery of the area. Trekking through snow in snowshoes right up to the top of the mountains on the French Spanish border was certainly a great experience. As a first time snow-shoer it was great to see so much snow and to be able to do it from the get go, its not hard to pick up.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Top tip to vegans- just mention it to Lucy and Simon and they will have no problem delivering meals, breakfasts and packed lunches. The food for us all ( non-vegan) was faultless. Home cooked restaurant class evening meals supplied all week, locally sourced.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Whilst staying at the farmhouse we were minded that the heating was via a ground source heat pump and solar panels used as to reduce the environmental impact of our stay. And our tour was guided by local Alberto all week, a truly superb group leader.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fantastic week. Beautiful stay at the farmhouse, centuries old stone building, lovely bedrooms with balconies and plenty of communal space. The food was faultless. Each days hike was exceptional. Plenty of snow. Highly recommended.Linda Sankey review 17 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The amazing views and fabulous food!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get fit beforehand.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, our guide is local and very knowledgeable. The tour operator takes care to reduce environmental impacts.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, well worth it. If you've any doubts, contact Lucy and Simon as they are very helpful.Murray Howitt review 16 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All days were brilliant for the snow shoeing, wildlife and geology - it's so hard to select a favourite, perhaps reaching a couple of 2300m summits surrounded by beautiful snowy mountains or spotting bearded vultures, chamois and black woodpeckers.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be flexible as the hosts and guide choose the best route according to the weather conditions, just relax and trust them.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely, local guide, local/home grown produce, all rubbish brought back from hiking and sorted, supported restoration of the village church and chapel4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Great hosts and guide who shared their passion for such a beautiful region and provided us with super hiking experiences on all terrains using snow shoes, lightweight crampons or just boots.Helen Tolley review 15 Mar 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were many memorable aspects of this holiday! The scenery was spectacular & the geology very unique to this area, we were finding fossils of sea creatures and shells that were millions of years old! Also very exciting & memorable to have the near sighting of so many Vultures (Bearded and Griffon) Golden Eagles and other rare small birds ! The hikes (often with crampons) and snowshoeing through this fantastic scenery and incredible environment was just wonderful - great memories !2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The weather in the Spanish Pyrenees can be variable - we enjoyed plenty of winter sunshine and blue skies each day, but the weather can be very cold (especially in the mornings) and windy at times. We found the best solution was to take layers of clothes. A light 'down' jacket and a water/wind proof jacket with thermal layers etc rather than bulky jumpers and coats, so that they can be peeled off and packed away easily and carried in your rucksack. Walking poles are also essential as the terrain can be rocky and steep.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes this holiday certainly benefitted the local economy and helps these small rural villages to remain alive and thriving! Our food and wine were all sourced locally where possible, and quite often from Lucy & Simon's own vegetable plots! The local Guides also benefitted from our visit which was really great! The Vulture conservation programme in the Pyrenees is particularly important as it is part of the National Action plan to restore and conserve the species helping to educate the public in the importance of the role they play in our environment -fascinating!4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a wonderful experience! The holiday was very well organised and the transport provided, on the days when we visited areas further afield, was modern and very comfortable and this enabled us to easily access very different areas in the Aragon province. Our hosts Lucy and Simon were always thinking about our enjoyment and welfare and were keen to make our stay with them as memorable as possible. The food was beautifully prepared and together with the fantastic wine our evening meals were always anticipated with great relish! Our guides were great fun to be with and also very knowledgeable and we learnt so much about the geology, wildlife and history of the area which was amazing!Anne Hunt review 20 Feb 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The holiday was in a fantastic location in a completely unspoilt part of the Pyrenees. The view from my bedroom window, in Simon and Lucy's lovely farmhouse, was unforgettable. The walks were varied and beautiful and our guides gave us huge quantities of information on everything from geology, to wildlife, to history and more. Simon and Lucy were such hospitable hosts, and great cooks too! I can't recommend it highly enough2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do take binoculars - there's so much to see on the walks. Do bring warm slippers if you go in winter. The floors are made of old flagstones, and can be chilly underfoot.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Simon and Lucy are really environmentally conscious. Much appreciated that their farmhouse is heated with a geo-thermal pump system. Everything is recycled that can be, and they grow a lot of their own produce (organically). They provide employment to local guides and their business in that particular location proves that they can be successful in this remote and underpopulated area.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Unforgettable, good value, the best kind of tourism - and huge funJim Frame review 16 Feb 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Snowshoeing up to a high Pyreneean ridge with spectacular views on all sides.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you pack/wear plenty of layers to put on/take off as one walk can vary greatly in temperature.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, all three.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
One of our best ever walking holidays.Elizabeth Miller review 19 Feb 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I love having that "on top of the world" feeling at the top of a walk and there was plenty of that on this holiday.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes very much so, all the food was locally produced, the guide was local and we had plenty of opportunity to spend money on local produce in local shops.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
From the wall to wall sunshine to the wonderful walking and views, we had a relaxing but invigorating week. Lucy and Simon were knowledgeable and enthusiastic hosts, everything from wildlife and history to culture and the geological features of the region. They provided delicious food for lunch and in the evening and were most welcoming of us into their home and way of life. Exactly what I was looking for in a small group, away from the crowds, mountain holiday.Begoņa Maruri review 7 Mar 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our holiday was very special but if we had to pick out one particular aspect then it would be the snowshoeing because we had not done it before. Having said that the scenery was stunning and so varied that every excursion offered something different meaning the whole holiday was special.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just do it - Casa Allue benefits from superb hosts, accommodation, food, location and excursions. You cannot go wrong.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, Locally sourced food and drink, local mountain guide - Even the house was heated geothermally.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
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