Historic Haute Route Ski Tour

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 morning of Day 1, around 8-9 AM.***

Night in the hotel (2 or 3 *** depending availability) in shared twin room on Bed & Breakfast base. Dinner is at your charge.

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.

Historic Haute Route Chamonix to Zermatt Technical Information

Technical level required for the historic Haute Route Ski Tour

Snow slopes of up to 40 degrees in varying snow conditions (deep powder, wind crusted, hard packed, etc).

You need to have previous strong ski touring experience, with multi day ski tour

Ropes and crampons will sometimes be necessary, and you may have to carry your skis on your back to traverse / climb certain sections.

Fitness level for the Haute Route Ski Tour

This ski tour is aimed at experienced skiers in excellent physical condition. You do 7 days of ski touring with an average of 1000 m of altitude difference per day.

Daily altitude ranges from 800 to 1900m with up to 8 hours walking. You should practise an endurance sport regularly.

We climb about 400m per hour, which is not difficult in itself, however it can be strenuous with backpacks and changing weather and snow conditions.

Changes to the program

The high mountain guide reserves the right to modify or interrupt the program at any time for safety reasons, technical or physical problems with one or several participants or due to bad weather and snow conditions.

Meeting point

The day before the course, at the end of afternoon at yourn hotel. Telephone appointment with your guide to review the program, equipment and confirm the appointment of day 1.

Access

By train (SNCF): Chamonix train station via Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains - Le Fayet.

By plane: Geneva airport by coach or shuttle.

There are regular airport shuttles between Geneva Airport and Chamonix.

Accommodation

3* hotel the night before, thereafter in catered alpine huts. Pillows and blankets are provided, but please bring a silk sleeping bag liner.

Meals

Half board in the huts (dinner and breakfast).
 You can buy lunch in the huts for the following days.

You should also bring your own additional snacks, e.g. energy bars, dried fruit and nuts (nothing heavy or squashable).

Gear

The gear list will be provided upon booking.

Historic Haute Route Chamonix to Zermatt in 7 Days Pricing and Availability

Cost per person: 2300€

The cost is based on a group of 4 up to 6 people. If you are a private group, please contact us to discuss dates and prices. 

IMPORTANT NOTE :  we get back to you as quickly as possible to confirm your booking, as all depends on the places available in the huts.

Please don't book your flight before we confirm the date as we could start the trip one day before or after the original date.

GET IN TOUCH directly with Pierre by e-mail or phone/whats app +33 6 95 04 23 02 as we have other different dates / program and routes available too.

If you want to talk about itinerary, and any information Call  Ian Moller our partner in US at (415) 608 5264.

The price includes:

• Organisation of the trip
• High mountain guide (state qualified)
• 6 nights in mountain huts with dinner and breakfast
• 3 pack lunch
   

The price does not include:

• Transport to Chamonix
• Transport from Chamonix to Les Grands Montets on Day 1:  regular bus or train
• Transport from Zermatt back to Chamonix at the end (taxi is approx 90€ per person, depending the number of people and taking into account the guide)
• 4 Lunches (buy them in the huts = 15/ 20€ per day)
• Additional snacks and drinks in the huts
• Personal ski and safety equipment (touring skis, boots, harness, transceiver, shovel,probe)
• Any unplanned additional expenses due to weather forecast, snow conditions, lack of fitness, etc
• Alpine insurance (rescue, medical fees & repatriation)

IMPORTANT: if you plan to stay in Zermatt after the course, please note that you will still have to contribute to the guide's taxi fee to return to Chamonix. Price to be confirmed upon number of participants.

If you don't want to carry your ski equipment we can book ski touring here in Chamonix.