Don't you know which route to take to start snowshoeing?

Do you want to do a snowshoe route with children having fun with sledges and getting on a gondola?

 

Here goes the proposal: a snowshoeing and sledging route with kids, all of descent of only 3 km and 210m of unevenness, to the people of Font-Romeu from the ski slopes of the Airelles sector, then going up to the turn in the  Les Airelles gondola lift. A perfect trail to start snowshoeing and suitable for all ages and physical conditions. A perfect snowshoeing trail with kids!

We have gone with the two kids of 3 and 6 years old, plus some friends with other small children and it has been a successful option and above all, very fun for the kids. It has been a snowshoeing route with children where they were jumping with the sleds and shovels all the way.

 

The snowshoeing route with kids that we propose, departs from the Font Romeu ski resort in the Les Airelles sector, where there is an excellent ample parking at the foot of the slopes, which also if you go with a van or motorhome you have a fairly flat area next to the play sledding area that will allow you to park and stay overnight.

 

Is the ruta number 3 of snowshoe and pedestrian trails in Font-Romeu (https://www.altiservice.com/sentiers-givres) . It is the easiest trail in the entire season, so it is the one chosen as a proposal to start and go with children.

 

The route is completely free, so you do not need a pass to access the path. Although later for the return if you decide to go by cable car like we do, we will need a pedestrian pass to go up to the attraction of the cable car.

 

 

And here are the tips for this route:

 

1r advice. Before leaving, remember to prepare a backpack with water and lunch / foodYou will enjoy making a stop with wonderful views halfway.

2Council. Dress up and wear well. For this route, you do not need goretex hiking boots, it is not that hard, so with some good warm snow breaks you will be great and comfortable. Be careful with taking normal sneakers, they will get wet for sure, there are times when you sink in virgin snow ... Of clothes, better skiing if you have and especially for the little ones who will end up covered in snow. If you don't have ski clothing, some mountain pants with a little waterproofing and some waterproof shoe covers will go well.

3Council. Protect yourself from the sun. Eyes must be protected with glasses sun, both adults and children. And the face, with sunscreen.

4Th advice. Before starting anything, go or call the information point of the ski resort and ask how the path is snowy. If there is little snow it will be more uncomfortable to go with rackets in hand than without them. They will also give you a map with the path that will help guide you (the same one you have here above).

On the other hand, if you don't have rackets, you can rent them for about € 6, but important! You have to rent them before arriving at the ski resort, in the neighboring villages (there is no equipment rental shop at the station!). 

5º advice. Nor take sticks for this trail that is all downhill (They are ski poles that are usually carried), they will bother you more than help (they do help on the ascents!). The route is simple and all downhill and you will need your hands to carry all the sleds you can lol.

6º advice. Coge SLEDGES AND BLADES FOR YOUR SMALL AND EVEN FOR YOU, IT IS THE KEY TO THIS ROUTE FOR A SECURE FUN! All the way is downhill, so the little ones will enjoy a lot of going down the route by sledding and snow shoveling. For the greater control of the little ones and also for the weight and dimensions for the parents, the snow shovels (those that replace the typical plastic bag of a lifetime, which in any Chinese they sell for 3 euros) are a great option (They don't go as fast and the little ones control them better, apart from taking up less space if you have to drag them later). Our little ones went all the way playing with paddles and we took the sled for when the 3-year-old girl got tired, we carried her with a harness dragging another very good option. In this post you can see how to mount it: https://www.kucavana.es/un-trineo-un-arnes-un-super-papa-o-mama-ruta-de-raquetas-de-nieve-con-peques-a-modo-de-supertrail-de-pirena/

 

Once you are ready to go on the route, the first step will be to get to the start of the route marked with a 3. Path that starts just to the left side where the mushing dogs are and just below the gondola cables. In fact all the route you will be following the cable cars.

The tour is perfectly signposted, With the yellow signs in the photograph, there is no loss if you follow them and if you go with the map that they will give you at the information point of the slopes, so rest assured, there is no need for a guide. And if you miss a

little, you just have to go down following the cable car 🙂 easy.

 

The path runs through forests, and you pass a research observatory, some cross-country ski trail and currency to a golf course with a small lake all snowed and frozen.

It is a normal hour of walking, about two hours of walking with children, playing and stopping at many times. Before arriving right in the town is the sports center that just in front has a miniature golf area and a great picnic table for lunch or dinner.

 

7Council. Ni try walking backwards with the rackets put on the road hehehe unless you want adventure or stick some milk hehehe

 

8Council. The return once you arrive at the town, do it by cable car if you do not want to do the whole route again uphill. Not only do you avoid the uphill, which with the kids would be an ordeal, but it is quite an attraction and adventure for them and for you i. If it is the first time that you climb a cable car, do not be afraid of it, it is super safe, it is totally closed (it is like a mini fairground plane that goes slowly). The cost of going up to the cable car is € 6,5 per person, except for children under 5 who have the free pass. But important !!! You have to carry an accreditation, ID for example, of your age, otherwise they charge you what to all.

 

 

Before taking the gondola lift at Font-Romeu, and if you have the time and desire, you can visit the Sans Murs museum, a museum of wood and precious metal sculptures totally free in the open air. ( http://museesansmurs.e-monsite.com/)

The route starts well but it ends great, since there is a restaurant and cafeteria right on the ski slopes on the left side of where the cable car arrives, with a creperie on the terrace that encourages the little ones and not so little ones to end the route with a good reward (€ 4,20 the crepe, there are also waffles and others) lol.

 

 

9Council Think that in the mountains the day can be turned quickly even when it's sunny. Especially after the midday. If you see clouds in the distance getting closer Do not entertain to return.

 

10º tip and last. Always plan your routes on the mountain, check the weather ahead and carry chains in your car if there is a minimum probability of snow. The days are unpredictable and you have to be prepared in winter 🙂 (here tips on chains and tires: https://www.kucavana.es/neumaticos-de-invierno/)

And above all, above all, enjoy this wonderful experience that nature offers us as a family !!! Ahhh and throw everyone on a sled, it is not just a little thing!

Good route!

Other interesting links with snowshoe routes with kids: 

• If you want to do other activities in Font-Romeu, you have a thousand to do from mushing, sledding, Nordic and alpine skiing to mini snowmobiles or even going to one of the natural hot springs nearby! Check out this post for ideas and tips:  http://www.kucavana.es/font-romeu/
• If you want another route proposal to get started in snowshoes, circular and with spectacular views, see this post it will be useful: 1 route proposal and 10 tips to get started with family snowshoeing
• And if you want to start in other disciplines with snow, I make you a proposal to start Nordic skiing as a family: http://www.kucavana.es/10-razones-para-probar-el-esqui-de-fondo-en-familia/

 

 

The snowshoe route with children in photos and video