Age
From 10
Duration
2 h
Sporty
Sporty
Varied
Varied
Practical info
- Abseils : Up to 25 m, optional
- Jumps : 2 to 7 m, optional
- Zip line : Yes, depending on how busy the canyon is
- Season : May to October
- Bypasses : A path goes around every obstacle
Family canyoning
Chamonix’s top fun canyon, a stress-free family adventure
For families with children aged 10 and over, in a very open and very safe river where the height of each obstacle is adapted to everyone.
A great chance to give your kids (and yourself!) some real challenges, while keeping the option to walk around any obstacle at any time.
The Barberine canyon is an aquatic descent with natural slides and the OXO special “splash” zip line. Along the way, several vertical drops offer exciting abseils, your guide holding the rope. Ready for the big 25 m waterfall? Everyone decides whether to go for it or walk around.
Happy Barberine is a real family adventure… without the stress! This formula gathers families only (children aged 10 and over), to adapt the pace and the difficulty of each passage. The canyon near Chamonix to share as a family.
How it goes
- Meet and gear upYour guide and the OXO van wait for you at the Barberine canyon car park. We gear up on site: allow about an hour in total to gear up and change back.
- Short approach walkA short walk to reach the river.
- 2 h in the canyonSlides, zip line, jumps from 2 to 7 m and abseils up to 25 m: everyone picks their challenges, a path lets you bypass them all.
- A good half-dayTwo time slots: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm or 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Timing depends on the group size, the pace of the less sporty, how busy the river is and the water level: keep an hour of margin for the rest of your day.
Gear
Provided by OXO
- Full 5 mm hooded neoprene wetsuit
- 3 mm neoprene socks
- 3 mm neoprene gloves
- Canyon harness with safety lanyards and abseiling device
- Helmet
Wetsuits and socks are looked after, renewed very regularly and cleaned after each use with a bactericidal and fungicidal product.
To bring
- Swimsuit (shorts are fine), worn on arrival
- A towel to dry off and change out of sight
- A strap for your glasses if needed
- Sports shoes that can get wet, and a spare pair
Ideal: lace-up shoes with non-slip soles.
OK: old worn-out shoes, sturdy high-top hiking boots, velcro sandals with a good sole.
Not possible: water shoes and booties with soft neoprene soles, sandals and flip-flops with a toe strap.
Shoe rental in your size: €5 per person, to book the day before at the latest.
Meeting point
Barberine canyon car park, Vallorcine
496 chemin rural dit de la Barberie, 74660 Vallorcine. Just outside Vallorcine, you meet your guide and the OXO van right on the Barberine canyon car park.
From Chamonix, follow Argentière then Martigny (Switzerland). Drive through Argentière then Vallorcine; about 1 mile (1.6 km) after the end of Vallorcine, turn left at the “Barberine / Musée de Barberine” wooden sign and park right after.
Chamonix: 25 min · Argentière: 15 min · Saint-Gervais: 50 min.
You need to drive there. The meeting point is sent to you again in detail by email when you book.
No car? From Chamonix or Argentière, no worries: let us know and we will explain how to get there, with the OXO minibus or the Mont Blanc Express train. It’s easy and it’s free!
No toilets on site: go before you leave.
Photos & video
Waterproof GoPro camera + SD card: €20. Book it with your trip and leave with the SD card to keep your team’s exploits.
- Your own camera is welcome if it is waterproof (check it before you go); non-waterproof devices are not allowed
- Bring a wrist strap or a mount
- Selfie sticks are forbidden: they can be dangerous
Frequently asked questions
What fitness level?
A path bypasses every obstacle of the Barberine canyon. Happy Barberine offers challenges of all sizes (25 m abseil, “splash” zip line, slides…) and lets each participant decide whether to go for it or not.
Ideal for a group with very different levels: the sportiest will have a blast and the more careful will enjoy obstacles within their reach. It’s à la carte!
You need to be comfortable in the water and with having your head underwater for a few seconds.
I’m scared: are there any mandatory jumps or passages?
Nothing is mandatory in Barberine: jumps, slides and abseils can all be bypassed thanks to the path along the river.
Jumps from 2 to 7 m: everyone decides whether to jump, and from what height. No pressure.
Where do we change?
There is no OXO base by the river: we change in the canyon car park. It is a quiet place, but we change outdoors! Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and go to the toilet before you leave, there are none on site.
What do we do with our valuables?
Leave them in the car… or, better, at your accommodation.
Glasses and contact lenses: is it possible?
Yes. A well-adjusted strap normally keeps your glasses safe; otherwise, the safest option is to take them off before jumps and slides and slip them into your zipped jacket.
Contact lenses are fine too, as long as you close your eyes tightly when jumping into the water.
What if it rains?
The Barberine canyon lies right below the Emosson dam, which strongly reduces the effect of rain on the water flow. Following the usual safety rules, you can go canyoning in Barberine even when it rains!
Can someone follow the group on foot?
Yes! For those who want to follow the group without taking part, a path runs along the river; the OXO guide explains where to go.
The walk is not too tiring, but the path can be steep and exposed: good shoes are a must. OXO is not responsible for people following the group on foot.
