Renting a snowshoe in Chalmazel is the ideal way to discover the Monts du Forez at your own pace. Between fir forests and high, wind-beaten stubble fields, the scenery changes in just a few steps. Set off from the village or resort, plunge into the silence, and very quickly the panoramic views open out over the Puys chain and, in fine weather, as far as the Alps.

The season generally runs from December to March, depending on snow conditions. The best outings are in the morning, when the snow is fresh and the light crystal-clear after a fall. If it's breezy on the ridges, prefer loops in the undergrowth; in stable weather, aim for the plateaus around the Col du Béal and, for the more curious, the outskirts of Pierre-sur-Haute. Beware of fog, which can fall quickly over the high stubble fields.