Haute route day by day itinerary
Day 0:
Telephone appointement with your guide for a program briefing, plus gear check, and confirm meeting time in the evening of Day 0, around 6h30 pm.***
The guide will bring you the gear, if you have requested from us.
Day 1: Les Grands Montets - Col du Chardonnet - Saleina refuge
From Bochar cable car we skin up to the col des Rachasse and ski down to the Argentière Glacier at the bottom of the famous north face of Les Droites, Les Courtes, and Aiguille Verte. We put our skins on again and climb to the Col du Chardonnet 3323 m between France and Switzerland. Descent onto the Saleina glacier via a snow gully which will require the use of a fixe rope and our crampons. A short ascent will lead us to Saleina hut for a good rest and bier.
Schedule : 5 to 7 hours
Elevation difference: +1270 and - 1672 m
Day 2: Saleina hut - La Fouly
Climb to the Saleina pass (3261 m) crossing on the side to reach the borttom of the gully leading to the pass. From the latter, we will cross the eastern slope to reach the summit of La Grande Lui 3508 m. Superbe descent of the entire glacier to the tiny village of La Fouly where will sleep in a little hotel. This will be the lowest point of our ski trip. This part of the Mont Blanc range is less frequented than the French side and we will enjoy the tranquility of this day.
Elevation: +650 m and - 1900 m
Day 3: La Fouly - Col du Grand St Bernard
A day of transition that will take us out briefly of the high mountains! Earely start to follow the long val Ferret up to the "Fenêtre d'en Haut" and ski down the Italian side for a short run. We put skins on again to cross the wide col du Grand St Bernard and reach the famous Hospice du Grand St Bernard at 2469 m. Possibility to climb the Pointe de Drône at 2949 m before getting to the Hospice.
Schedule: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation difference: + 1250 m and - 300 m
Day 4: Grand St Bernard - Valsorey hut
Morning ski down to the Super Saint Bernard old ski resort nowaday closed, then we will climb the fearly steep slopes to reach the Proz pass at 2779 m and after the Passage de Montorge at 2881 m. From there ski down the Valsorey side to get to the bottom of the Valsorey hut at the "Grands Plans". A last ascent will bring us to the tiny Valsorey hut at the bottom of the south face of the Grand Combin and facing the Mont Vélan. This is a spectacular scenery and a beautifull ski touring day.
Schedule: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation difference: + 1800 m and - 550 m
Day 5: Valsorey hut - Chanrion Hut
One of the most beautiful and technical stages of the raid and the most alpine too.
Departure around 5:00 a.m. to cross the fairly steep passage which leads to the plateau of the corridor, then to the Sonadon pass at 3520 m.
These two passages will require carrying skis as well as the use of crampons and a rope on slopes of approximately 40°.
From the top of the Grand Corridor plateau, we will cross over the Sonadon pass and descend via the Mont Durand glacier to the Chanrion cabin.
Schedule: 4 to 5 hours.
Elevation difference: + 800 m and - 1300 m.
Day 6: Chanrion hut - Bertol Refuge
It's a long alpine skiing day today as we go up the long Otemma glacier to the Petit Mont Collon pass (3292 m) then crossing over the Col de l'Evêque (3392 m), dominated by the Pointe de l'Evêque and the Pointe du Cardinal. The glacial immensity will be impressive, with the Otemma glacier stretching towards the south. Passage of the Col Collon and superb descent from the Arolla glacier to the Plan de Bertol (2615m). 800 m climb to the Bertol refuge (3311 m), perched on its rocky spur.
Another unique panorama in the Alps, since we will be facing the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn.
Schedule: 7 to 8 hours.
Elevation difference: + 1900 m and - 852 m.
Day 7: Bertol hut - Zermatt
This is the last day of this magnificent ski trip that will crown 6 days of intense emotions and indescribable pleasures. We cross the Mont Miné glacier to the small summit of Tête Blanche, before tipping over onto the incredible Stockji glacier. In front of us is the imposing and superb pyramid of the Matterhorn, but also that of the Dent d'Hérens and the Dent Blanche. Our arrival in Zermatt is like a consecration and an immense satisfaction. Return to Chamonix by taxi
Elevation gain: + 600 m for Tête Blanche.
