Date:
- 2025: 13th – 18th of January
- 5 – day cross country skiing trip on classic ski tracks
- The best of the Swiss and French Jura Mountains
- Accommodation in private double rooms in hand picked hotels and guest houses
- Combination of the best snow of the TJS and GTJ
- All luggage is transported for you – you carry only one daypack!
Jura cross-country skiing traverse experience
During our 5-day Jura cross-country skiing traverse we cross the best parts of the Swiss and French Jura.
Our Jura cross-country skiing traverse starts and ends in La Cure, in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. We cross the Swiss and French Jura and the regional nature reserves of the Haut-Jura.
The Franco-Swiss Jura offers certainly one of the largest networks of continuous, marked and traced cross-country ski trails in Central Europe. The route with its varied terrain and beautiful landscapes will impress you.
Some days we follow the famous route of the Transjurassienne, passing trough typical and magical villages.
The Jura, a limestone plateau on the border between France and Switzerland, is located near Geneva. It has miles of mountains, but unlike the jagged peaks of the Alps, it is more of a “Nordic range of hills.”
Despite its popularity, it is not uncommon to be out all day without seeing other cross-country skiers.
Program Jura cross-country skiing Traverse
Tag 1: Arrival at La Cure, Switzerland
We will meet at 18:30 in La Cure, Switzerland. The village is easily accessible by the Swiss Federal Railways from Geneva/Nyon.
Your guides will meet you at the Hotel for a welcome dinner and orientation of the tour.
Hotel in La Cure
Day 2: From Col de la Givrine to Col du Marchairuz
We start our journey with a short transfer by train to La Givrine, just behind the Swiss-French border. Now we will spend two days cross-country skiing in Switzerland, along the Trans Jura Swiss and trough the nature park of the Swiss vauduoise Jura area.
Our route starts with a short climb from a road pass at 1228m. Soon we connect to the very well groomed network of trails over alps and hills. The trail winds along a ridge, keeping at an altitude of 1300m and winding its way to the alp and ski hut Les Pralets. Here we could stop for a picnic. We continue through hilly terrain to the final climb to Col du Marchairuz at 1447m, where we check into our hotel for the night. Before dinner we will have the opportunity to visit the sauna.
+460 m, – 230 m, 21 km
Hotel at Col du Marchairuz
Day 3: From Col du Marchairuz to Col du Mollendruz
The cross-country ski trail between Marchairuz and Mollendruz is a classic in the region. This elevated route heads across the magnificent combs of the Jura to the foot of Mont-Tendre, past various mountain pasture chalets.
After leaving the Col du Marchairuz, today we enjoy much of the cross-country skiing in open country below the summit of Mont Tendre (1678 m). In summer, the cows produce here the milk for Tomme and Gruyère cheeses.
The “Refuge Bon Accueil” (1500m), an old charabanc, that is now a mountain hut, is the ideal place for our lunch break.
After lunch, we start a splendid descent via Chalet Mollendruz, where we can refresh ourselves with coffee and cakes before reaching Col Mollendruz at 1200m.
A cab will take us down to our accommodation at Lac de Joux.
- +350m, – 570m, 15km
- Hotel at Lac de Joux
Day 4: Chez Liadet to Chapelle des Bois
A short transfer brings us to our starting point just over the boarder of France to Chez Liadet. We can enjoy perfectly groomed slopes through beautiful alpine pastures and trough pine forests.
For the next 3 days we’ll be exploring parts of the 142km long distance ski trail Grande Traverse du Jura.
After lunch at a Chalet, we will be on the Transjurasienne ski race track, a world famous cross-country ski race. Along the Combe des Cives, our track goes on to Chapelle des Bois, a peaceful village in the Haute Jura region.
- +340m, – 370m, 19.5km
- Hotel at Chapelle des Bois
Day 5: Chapelle des Bois to Les Rousses
The world class cross country ski trails lead us over meadows, along two snow covered lakes towards Bellefontaine. Here we ascend to Risoux forest, where the famous wood used to make Stradavarius violins grows.
After the main climb, we can stop at the Chalet Gaillard for a well deserved hot drink. It’s a short but very well worth detour up to the sunny chalet. In the afternoon we ski down to the Les Rousses area where we cross the golf course.
We spend our last night together in this charming ski resort where we will have enough time to buy local souvenirs and stop for coffee and cake in one of the many restaurant.
For the last night we spoil with a delicious dinner in a typical, nice restaurant. Who wants can taste the local yellow wine at one of the many bars.
- +345m, – 385m, 17km
- Hotel at Les Rousses
Day 6: Les Rousses to La Joux
Leaving Les Rousses, we cross the meadows towards Premanon, home of France’s national Nordic ski school, which has produced several Olympic champions. in some years the best cross country skiers of the world meet here for a World Cup race.
Through the forest we ski to another popular area visited by many ski teams, the Forêt du Massacre. The forest is home to some of the oldest spruce trees in France and is named after an ancient battle in the area. On a clear day we’ll have wonderful views over the Alps. The beautiful Chalet La Frasse awaits us with coffee and cake to celebrate our last kilometres of the tour before tackling the gentle descent to the charming village of La Joux.
A short shuttle brings us back to La Cure, Switzerland where this tour finishes.
- +425m, – 340m, 21km
Program changes
Depending on weather and conditions it might be necessary to adjust the tour.
Map
Red dot: first Hotel night and start and end of the tour
Blue dots: Hotel nights during the tour
Professional guiding and support
On this trip you will be guided by two professional Swiss snow sports instructors with many years of experience.
Simone Furter from the Engadine, a certified cross country teacher with a Master of Science in sports and physical education and Ella Alpiger, former world-cup ski racer and certified ski instructor and hiking guide from Wildhaus. We speak German, English, French and Spanish.
Costs:
- 4 skiers: 2377.00€ /skier
- 6 – 8 skiers: 2110.00€ /skier
- 9 -10 skiers: 1476.00€ /skier
Included:
- 5 nights with half board in a private double rooms with ensuite bathroom (single rooms available)
- Accompaniment of an experienced cross-country ski instructor and a hiking guide
- Luggage transfer (1 bag per person) and all transports between the days as mentioned above
Not included:
- Personal insurance (accident/travel/annulation)
- Ski rental and ski pass (ski pass about 40€)
- Travel to an back from La Cure for the start and end of the tour
- Drinks
- Lunches and snacks
- Saunas in hotels
- Single room supplement
Who is this Jura cross-country skiing Traverse for
This trip is intended for people who can safely cross-country ski classically. Please contact us if you would like to do this tour on skating skis, it’s also possible.
You enjoy skiing from point to point on flat and hilly terrain on groomed cross-country trails, carrying only a small day pack.
You should have already skied longer distances (up to 25 km / 3 to 6 hours) for a few consecutive days or have done multi day trips on cross-country skis.
Personal requirements for classic Jura cross-country skiing traverse:
- You are able to be on skis for 4-6 hours per day, covering about 15-20 km on 5 consecutive days.
- You should be able to ski with control on a variety of terrain, steeper climbs and narrow trails, and safely negotiate turns on the descent.
- You should be familiar with different types of snow, including perfect fresh runs AND less perfect runs that can be hard and icy.
- You should be in good physical condition to ensure that you can endure several consecutive and prolonged days of winter weather with snowfall and cold winds.
- On any point-to-point tour we must expect varying weather conditions, from heavy snowfall to high winds, and for this reason we expect some level of self-sufficiency to keep warm and dry.
- On this tour you will need to carry a small day pack.
Arrival and departure for Jura cross-country skiing traverse
Arrival
The Jura is easy to reach by car, train or plane. The first Hotel is situated right next to the train station of La Cure, Switzerland.
A small tourist train goes from Lake Geneva (Nyon) up to La Cure at the Swiss-French boarder.
Arrival by train: To La Cure 90 minutes from Geneva, change trains in Nyon.
Please check the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website for connections to La Cure.
Departure
This tour finishes in La Cure, where the tour also starts. From there you can take the train to Nyon where you have aces to the rest of the Swiss Federal Railways.
Winter weather in the Jura
In winter, the weather can range from bright blue skies and glorious sunshine to heavy snowfall and strong winds. You should be prepared for all eventualities.
In January, temperatures can range from -10°C to 3°C, and in February from -5°C to 7°C.
You can check the weather here.
Snow conditions
We perform the traverse of the Jura at a time of year when snow conditions are usually at their best. However, in the case of a bad winter season, the complete traverse may not be possible.
In this case, we will still have a great week of skiing, but will cross-country ski at a different location each day and use a vehicle to transport us to our sections. Please note that we do not charge extra for renting a minibus. We want you to enjoy your vacation and run the best possible areas.
Lunch
For various reasons, lunch is not included in the trip fee. It has been our experience that our guests have different needs and different requirements for food in the mountains. It is better if you choose and buy yourself what you need. Buying profiant and trying local specialties is also a good way to get in touch with the locals and improve your language skills.
That said, take a packed lunch with enough food and liquids to sustain you throughout the day. If there is an option to have lunch at a restaurant/farm/café along the way, your instructor will let you know.
Each evening you can order a picnic or sandwich at the hotel, or we will inform you of other options, such as a local store or market.
Luggage transport
Your luggage will be transported by a cab driver every day. Please limit yourself to one piece of
luggage of approx. 15 kg per person. If you have more than 1 piece of luggage with you, the cab company may charge a fee, which you will be responsible for.
Equipment list for Jura cross-country skiing Traverse
When packing for a trip to the mountains, it is important to have appropriate gear and clothing. This gear list contains items that we feel are necessary for the weather and the accommodations we will be staying in.
Equipment
- Cross-country equipment in classic style, we recommend fur or scale skis (If you have any doubts about the suitability of your own skis, please contact us.)
- Ski straps
- Backpack – 25 to 30 liters with waist and chest straps. You need space to carry your equipment. Ideally, you should be able to strap your skis to your backpack if we need to walk a short distance.
- Waterproof cover or lining for the backpack to keep the contents dry
- Water bottle /Thermos – 1 liter (drinking tubes and bottles stowed on the outside of the backpack usually freeze in winter)
Clothing
- Cross-country jacket and pants (functional, windproof, breathable)
- Waterproof pants – in case of heavy snowfall
- Waterproof jacket – indispensable!
- Thermal top – long sleeves or thin fleece – long sleeves
- Gloves x 2 (thick and thin)
- Warm hat
- Sun hat
- Headband
- Down jacket (or second warm layer)
- Scarf or ‘buff’ for the neck
- Socks – 2 or 3 pairs
Other
- Sunscreen – essential
- Sunglasses – essential
- Antibacterial hand wash, face masks
- Personal first aid
- Personal medication
- Blister plasters (e.g. Compeed)
- Painkillers/anti-inflammatories
- Glucose tablets/energy gel or bar
- Passport
- Credit card
- Cash – Swiss Francs and €
- Slippers for use in the accommodation
- Clothes for use in the accommodation
- Hair dryer if necessary
- Swimwear in case the sauna is available
- Camera/book/music
- Toiletries – soap/shower gel; not all accommodations provide these
- Possibly short gaiters for snowy days
- Headlamp
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Hello,
Unfortunately, I missed this year’s dates for the Jura cross-country skiing traverse experience. Are you going to offer the trip next year again?
Best regards,
Taru Virtanen
Finland