The Haute Route
Starting out on the ski traverse of the Pigne d'Arolla on the penultimate day of the Haute Route.
The Haute Route is the most famous ski tour in the world and with good reason. It is a long, tough and highly rewarding ski journey taking an aesthetic line through stunning alpine touring terrain and linking the worlds two best known alpine resorts, Chamonix and Zermatt. With steep slopes from the departure, challenging cols, long descents and huge glaciers this tour will test your skiing, skinning and mountaineering skills as well as your fitness. However, fortunately the excellent Swiss mountain huts in which to relax each evening are also an integral part of the Haute Route experience. A superb climax to this classic week of ski mountaineering is provided by the long glacial ski descent, under the North Face of the Matterhorn and right down to the streets of Zermatt,
The Haute Route has many interesting variations. We offer the two classic options, the Verbier Haute Route and the Plateau de Couloir Route Haute Route. Whichever route is taken six days are allowed for the Haute Route journey itself plus a training, equipment check & ski day in Chamonix.
Itinerary
Verbier Route: A superb ski tour and now the most popular way of doing the Haute Route. This journey takes an elegant natural line through the Swiss
The first night in Switzerland!
Valais and avoids some of the tougher mountaineering challenges involved in the Plateau de Couloir and Grand Lui variations. It provides fantastic views, some highly enjoyable skiing and a number of short technical passages. The majority of the terrain however is ideally suited to alpine ski touring and is a pleasure to be journeying through it whether skinning or skiing. This route is also slightly less committing and less susceptible to inclement weather and snow conditions than the alternatives.
The route described below is the classic itinerary and works well for most parties. Timings are approximate and will vary according to group fitness, snow conditions and weather.
| Day | Route Description | Overnight Accomodation |
| 0 | Evening meet, introductions and equipment checks at Hotel in the Chamonix Valley | Hotel in Chamonix Valley (1050m) |
| 1 | Off-piste skiing and ski touring equipment checks / further training day. Avalanche transceiver training. Opportunity to sort any kit problems before setting off on tour. | Hotel in Chamonix Valley (1050m) |
| 2 | Take the Grands Montets lift to the top (3285m) and ski down to Argentiere Glacier. Steep skin up to Col du Chardonnet (3323m) and technical descent. Cross Fenetre du Saleina (3267m) and traversing descent to Trient Hut. 6-8 hours. | Trient Hut (3170m) |
| 3 | Descent to, and crossing of, the Col des Ecandies (2796m). Huge ski descent of the famous Val d'Arpette to Champex. Taxi to Verbier and use lifts to ascend to Mont Fort Hut. Skiing and training around Verbier ski area. | Mont Fort Hut, Verbier (2457m) |
| 4 | A classic days ski touring crossing 3 cols and making an ascent of the Rosablanche (3336m). A fine long north facing descent takes us to the comfortable Prafleuri Hut, 5-7 hours. Snow profile analysis training if appropriate. | Prafleuri Hut (2662m) |
| 5 | An early start with skins on takes us up a short climb to the Col de Roux. A long traverse above the Dix Valley leads into a steady ascent to this large and lively alpine hut, 4-6 hours. If time, energy and conditions allow an afternoon ascent of La Luette (3369m) can be made in 2-3 hours. | Dix Hut (2928m) |
| 6 | Atmospheric dawn departure and skin under Mont Blanc de Cheilon North Face. The ski traverse of the Pigne d'Arolla (4-6 hours) is a classic and provides both fantastic views and, at 3772m, the high point of this tour. Descent to Vignetts or, to make the two final days more even, continue over the Italian border to the Nacamuli Hut. | Vignettes (3160m) or Nacamuli (2830m) Huts |
| 7 | The big one! A great days ski touring and a wonderful climax to this tour. 3 Cols, 25km distance and 2000m of ski descent culminating in the final descent under the Matterhorn and into Zermatt, 6-8 hours. Taxi to Chamonix or stay in Zermatt for further ski options. | Chamonix Valley Hotel or stay in Zermatt for further options |
Dent Blanche (left) and Matterhorn in the background
Plateau du Couloir Route: For many this is The Classic Haute Route and it is certainly a longer, tougher and more committing option than the Verbier option. It includes an ascent of the 600m high 'Plateau du Couloir' which, from a mountaineering point of view, is the crux of the journey. By taking a more southerly course this line avoids any road travel which certainly adds a more aesthetic feel to a journey which is only possible if conditions are right and the team are fit enough. If all these things come together, it is a magnificent undertaking!
| Day | Route Description | Overnight Accommodation |
| 0 | Evening meet, introductions and equipment checks at Hotel in the Chamonix Valley | Hotel in Chamonix Valley (1050m) |
| 1 | Off-piste skiing and ski touring equipment checks at Grands Montets ski area. Mid afternoon descent to Argentiere Glacier and Hut. | Argentiere Hut (2771m) |
| 2 | Early start for crossing of Col Du Chardonnet (3323m). Descent to Glacier de Saleina and back up to Col de Grande Lui (3457m). Huge (1800m) descent to La Fouly. NB this day can be split using an intermediate Hut for less fit or acclimatised parties. | Hotel / Hostel in La Fouly (C.1600m) |
| 3 | A day of mainly skinning crossing the 2698m 'Fenetre de Ferret' and linking the village of La Fouly with the Great St. Bernard Hospice. | Great St. Bernard Hospice (2469m) |
| 4 | A long day with a lot of climbing and some (a little!) fine skiing and there is an option to use a ski lift to save 600m from Bourg St. Bernard. If the Mont Velan option is taken the route splits on this day to ascend to the Velan Hut instead of the Valsorey, 9-10 hours to the Valsorey Hut. | Valsorey Hut (3030m) |
| 5 | A magnificent days ski mountaineering and one of the key passages of the Haute Route. The ascent of the 600m Plateau de Couloir is likely to be mostly in crampons with skis on the packs. After crossing the Col du Sanadon (3504m) a fine long and intricate descent can be made to the lovely Chanrion Hut, 7-9 hours. | Chanrion Hut (3462m) |
| 6 | Another superb days ski touring and after ascending the high col of 'Les Portons' the crossing of the Pigne d'Arolla at nearly 3800m (the high point of the whole route) gives a big mountain feel, great views of the Matterhorn and other Swiss giants and some good skiing down to the Vignettes Hut, 6-8hours. In poorer weather or if an easier day appeals the steady ascent of the Otemma Glacier can be made to reach the Vignettes. | Vignettes (3160m) or Nacamuli (2830m) Huts |
| 7 | The final day, and what a day! Another great days ski touring and a wonderful climax to this tour. 3 Cols, 25km distance and 2000m of ski descent culminating in the final descent under the Matterhorn and into Zermatt, 6-8 hours. Taxi to Chamonix or stay in Zermatt for further ski options. | Chamonix Valley Hotel or stay in Zermatt for further options |
Fitness, Ski & Mountaineering Experience Pre-Requirements:
The Haute Route is not an ideal beginners ski tour, partly because it has a long and tough first day from Chamonix. The Col du Chardonnet is not the best place to learn how to kick turn! It is infact a fairly challenging tour with some big days and steep terrain and therefore is suitable for folk with some previous ski touring experience and a good level of fitness (ability to sustain an ascent rate of 300m/hour for up to 6 hours). There are some long and steep descents on a wide variety of off-piste snow conditions and folk should have the ski technique and fitness to cope with this whilst carrying a rucksack with all your kit for the week in. Good skinning technique, secure kick-turns on steep terrain; experience of using crampons and walking/climbing uphill with your ski's on your rucksack are all also important skills. If you don't have these skills check out our introduction to ski touring course.
Folk wishing to ski the Plateau du Couloir Route will need to be even fitter and more comfortable on steeper terrain whether skinning, skiing or cramponing.
2012 Dates & Prices
Verbier Route: 7 Days, 18-24 March, Sunday - Saturday Inclusive. £795 (Minimum group size 3, maximum 6)
Plateau Route: 7 Days, 1-7 April, Sunday - Saturday Inclusive. £875 (Minimum group size 3, maximum 4)
What’s included in the Price?
- 7 full days ski mountaineering with an International Mountain Guide (IFMGA)
- We offer you a 'guiding only' package which means that you pay cost price for all other expenses and can choose your own level of accommodation in Chamonix.
What’s not included?
- Accommodation. We recommend that you stay at the Hotel Chaumiere in Chamonix. If this is full or you would like an alternative style of accommodation please see our recommended list for places to stay in Chamonix.
- Mountain huts & lift passes, for you and the guides. Allow about 50 euros per night half board accommodation and about 40 euros for 2 days for lift passes. The guides expenses are split between the group members and are discounted in huts and on lifts. Often the base way to deal with these expenses is to make a communal group 'kitty'.
- Taxis, from Champex to Verbier and Zermatt to Chamonix. Allow about 100 euros for both trips.
- Food and drink during the course
- Ski equipment. Check the kit list below
Course Notes
Please note that the detailed kit list, given via the link below must be followed and all hire kit including boots, skis, skins, ski crampons, poles, transeiver, shovel, probe must be hired in advance or arranged in advance with us.
Ski Mountaineering Kit List
Please use this list in a modular form according to what type of ski mountaineering you are doing e.g non glacial tours may not require harness, ice screws etc. Aim to 'pack light' and ski with a small, light pack as mu... more>
Please note that we can provide this course for small groups or individuals on a private basis. Please contact us to discuss dates.
More details
For more details on our terms & conditions, to fill in a booking form and make a payment, please visit our booking page via the link below:
Contact
We are always delighted to hear from past, current and future clients so whether you have a booking enquiry, want a conditions report, or some mountaineering advice please do get in touch.
In the meantime, Good climbing / skiing ! Rob.
High Mountain Guides
Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France
Mobile: + 33 (0) 670 819 250
Tel: + 33 (0) 450 53 56 08
Email contact via the form below
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