Information
To do the Happy Balme canyon, you have to be comfortable in the water and be able to keep your head submerged for 2 seconds as when coming down a slide.
The guide or a parent will be systematically positioned at the arrival of the slides or a jump.
We leave for 1h30 of activity, approximately. Add 1 hour of equipment and a short approach walk and we have a good half-day.
Two time slots: 9.30 a.m. / 12 p.m. or 1.30 p.m. / 4 p.m.
The schedule depends on many parameters, number of participants and physical condition of the less athletic, crowds in the river, water conditions…
The duration of the outing is given as an indication. We advise you to keep an hour of margin for the rest of your program.
No jump is compulsory in the Happy Balme canyon !
Neither are the abseils, which anyone can walk around in case it happens to be to scary.
- Swimsuit (shorts ok)
Towel to dry off and change out of sight.
Cord for glasses if necessary
Sports shoes* and spare shoes.
Ideal: shoes with laces and non-slip soles
OK: old shoes at the end of the road, big high-top hiking shoes, velcro sandals with a good sole
Not possible: water shoes and booties with soft neoprene soles, sandals and flip flops with straps between the toes
*Possibility to rent shoes from OXO: 5€/p. Reserve them the day before at the latest!
The wetsuits and neoprene socks are maintained and renewed very regularly and have no holes. They are cleaned with a bactericidal and fungicidal product after each use.
- Full hooded neoprene wetsuits in 5 mm.
3mm neoprene socks.
Canyon harnesses with safety lanyards & abseiling equipment.
Helmets
Optional: shoes in your size for hire: €5/p. (Reserve your shoes the day before at the latest)
It’s here !
At the start of the road to Arâches / Les Carroz, park on the left of the road, just before the Tindaris restaurant. Do not use the parking lot of the restaurant!
You have to drive to get there.
You will be clearly reminded of the appointment by email when booking.
It is possible to reach the Balme Canyon by train, stopping at Magland station. Let us know, we will pick you up at the station!
In addition, the canyon de Barberine (see above) is very easily accessible thanks to the free Mont Blanc Express train. Let us know you don’t have a car and we’ll explain how to reach us easily.
There is no OXO base by the river and we change in the parking lot of the canyon. It’s a quiet place, but we change outside!
Remember to wear your bathing suit.
Don’t forget to go to the toilet before leaving, there is none on site (And we don’t pee in wetsuits!!!).
In the car… we recommend you make sure to leave them at your accommodation.
You can go canyoning if you wear glasses. A properly adjusted cord normally prevents them from being lost. Otherwise, the safest thing is to remove them before jumps and slides and slip them into the well-zipped jacket.
No problem either for contact lenses if you close your eyes tightly when jumping into the water.
We continuously monitor past and future precipitation to find out if we can enter the Belle au Bois canyon, as the water flow may be too high.
Why not swing over Barberine Canyon? it is located under a dam and its flow remains practically unchanged in the rain.
The first part of the Balme canyon is steep, then the gorge opens into a forest. It’s the whole section of the superb slides that takes place here. You can easily walk along the torrent and take pictures of the happy canyoners.
This is a dirt road which can be steep and slippery in places. Make sure you are well equipped and have an appropriate physical condition.
When booking your outing with us, reserve a waterproof GoPro camera and immortalize the exploits of your team!!
You leave with the SD card.
Rental + SD card = 20 €
You can take your own camera / waterproof camera on the water.
Non-waterproof devices prohibited!
Poles can be dangerous and are prohibited.
Provide straps, and fixings. Check the waterproofness of your device!
