Trip Dates

April 24-May 2, 2012
April 16-24,May 3 - 11, 2012

Price

$2295 CAN

Group Size

Maximum of 10 participants 1 to 5 Guide to Guests ratio

Skill Level

Intermediate to Advanced

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Haute Route

The original multi day ski traverse between Chamonix and Zermatt. Experience the merging of mountain beauty and culture, this popular tour offers fantastic ski ascents and descents on high elevation glaciated terrain while staying in cozy mountain huts.

This classic tour is a great introduction to ski touring in the Alps. The Haute Route is a 9 day program with 7 days of ski touring, best done in April & May.

Itinerary

Below is a sample itinerary for the “Classic” Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt via the Valsorey and the “Plateau du Couloir”. We also offer the more modern 9 day itinerary via Verbier, contact us for more details. The Valsorey route requires slightly more mountaineering skills and is more exposed to avalanche hazard than the Verbier variation.

To break the ice and get a chance to acclimatize before your trip starts, we recommend that you join your guide for a fantastic day tour and descent of the famous “Vallée Blanche” from L’aiguille du Midi near Chamonix. Contact us for more details about this option.

Chamonix-Zermatt via the Valsorey:

Day 1: Meet with your guide(s) for trip briefing, equipment check and dinner. We will spend the night in a hotel in the Chamonix Valley.

Day 2: We will take the 1st cable car to the Grand Montet (3300m) and descent to the Argentiere Glacier (about 2700m) and traverse across the glacier to the Argentiere hut (2770m=9085ft). 170m = 560’ climb, 650m = 2130’ descent, 4 km, 2.5 hrs.

Day 3: Climb up to the Col Du Chardonnet (3323m), ski down to Switzerland. Climb back up to the Fenetre de Saleina (3267m). Ski down the upper Trient glacier to the Refuge du Trient (3240m). 1000m = 3300’ climb, 550m = 1800’ descent, 10km, 6 hrs.

Day 4: Descent on the steep lower Trient Glacier to the Fenetre des Chamois (2985m), through and down the other side steeply to Val d’Arpette and eventually the little village of Champex (1470m). 1570m = 5150’ descent, 9 km, 3 hrs. Taxi Ride from Champex to Bourg St. Pierre (30 min) and lodging in town with an opportunity to buy lunch food etc. for the next few days.

Day 5: After an early start, we will ascend through the lovely Valsorey to the Valsorey Hut (3037m = 9960ft.), 1400m = 4600’ climb, 8km, 7 hrs.

Day 6: A steep climb to the Plateau du Couloir (3664m) leads to a magnificent descent on the Durrand Glacier towards the Lac de Mauvoisin and back up to the Refuge Chanrion (2460m=8070ft). 940m = 3090’ climb, 1510m = 4950’ descent, 12km, 7 hrs.
Note: This is one of the crux days on the classic haute route which requires both good snow stability and stable weather. Itinerary may be re-routed through Verbier if these conditions are not optimal.

Day 7: A ski ascent of the Glacier Brenay to the summit of the stunning Pigne d’Arolla (3800m = 12500ft) offering great views of the entire traverse. Descent to the Cabane Vignette (3185m=10450ft). 1330m = 4360’ climb, 640m = 1340’ descent, 10km, 7 hrs.

Day 8: The famous 3 Col Traverse is probably the best day of the whole trip! Via Col de l’Eveque (3392m), Col de Mont Brulee (3213m) and Col de Valpelline (3568m) and a long, glaciated descent underneath the impressive North Face of the Matterhorn all the way into Zermatt. There we will spend our last night in a hotel. 1120m = 3675’ climb, 2670m = 8760’ decent, 25km, 8 hrs.

Day 9: Group breakfast and individual travel back home.

Prerequisites

This is an intermediate to advanced program. Guests are responsible to self evaluate their skills as groups need to be matched together based on previous experience and ability. Prior experience with Summit Mountain Guides is an asset as it helps you anticipate the difficulty and style of our program. Please contact us to discuss your specific ski background.

Equipment

Click here for the equipment list

Weather

Spring mountain weather in the Alps can vary wildly from -15C to +10C in the day . Visibility may be poor with whiteout conditions when snowing heavily or clear on bluebird days. Ensure you are dressed for all variations as temperatures, wind and precipitation can change within the day.

Location

The group will be meeting with the guide in Chamonix the day before the trip start. We will go over last minute equipment issues, review the planed itinerary and update you with present conditions.

Services Included

Pre-trip planning support
Fully certified IFMGA guide service
3 Hotel nights; Chamonix, Bourg St-Pierre & Zermatt, including Breakfast
Luggage transfer from Chamonix to Zermatt
Grand Montet Lift fee in Argentiere
All hut fees with Breakfast and Dinners
Taxi transfer from Champex to Bourg St-Pierre
Group safety equipment (communication device, rescue kit, first aid supplies, GPS, maps)
Alternative plan based on current conditions

Not included in price:

Lunch, alcohol & snacks
Dinner in Chamonix and Zermatt pre/post trip
Personal ski touring & technical equipment
Any additional lifts, train & taxi costs related to a plan change
The Furi lift to Zermatt if snow cover prevents from skiing down
Extra charges for single room while lodging in the Valley
Transportation and lodging costs prior to meeting
Trip cancellation, adventure travel & rescue insurance, medical insurance

FAQ

Alpine Ski-touring or Telemark gear? Which should you use?

If you are a downhill skier then you should use Alpine touring gear. Only if you are already an advanced Telemark skier should you use Telemark gear.

Spring skiing the high alpine of the European Alps offers variable snow conditions. On one particular run things may go from perfect powder to challenging breakable crust and or variable wind affected snow. When compounded, the variable snow conditions, the long ski touring days and the large day packs all call towards the use of an easier skiing set up like alpine touring.

The Haute Route provide a fantastic mountain travel experience. The skis become a travelling medium in the greater goal of getting from A to B. Alpine touring makes for fast and efficient travel hence contributing to a safer and more successful experience.