Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route Ski Tour
Join an unforgettable Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route ski tour with one of the IFMGA-certified guides in the Peakshunter team! Traverse the heart of the Alps and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Mont Blanc massif and the Matterhorn, conquering challenging ascents and gliding through untouched powder amidst breathtaking scenery.
6 Days
Mar - May
Highlights
- Traverse from Chamonix to Zermatt, renowned as the world's most iconic ski tour
- Embark on a legendary ski mountaineering journey along the Haute Route
- Enjoy comfortable accommodations and personalized guidance throughout the tour
Description
Enjoy a ski mountaineering tour along the famous Haute Route that connects Switzerland to France. This route runs from Chamonix to Zermatt and is the most iconic ski tour in the world.
Regarding the technical difficulty, keep in mind that the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route is a long high-altitude challenge. That’s why it requires a good overall level of training and proper physical condition.
At the bottom of this description, you can find a sample itinerary of this 6-day trip. You can also find details about the accommodation nights and the average ascent time for each day.
If you have any questions or if you’re decided and want to book your place for the next departure, contact us. You can fill out the form and we will answer as soon as possible.
We look forward to guiding you on this exciting tour in the amazing region of Chamonix-Zermatt!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Mountain guide expenses
- Lifts tickets
Price details
Itinerary
Day 1: Courmayeur - Argentière Hut
We’ll meet in Courmayeur for the equipment check and a short briefing. Transfer to Argentière from where a cable car will take us to the Col des Grands Montets. We’ll then begin a descent on the Rognons Glacier until we reach the Argentière Glacier. After a while we’ll reach the Argentière Hut, where we will spend the night.
The altitude gain will be 200 meters and the ascent time for the day, about 3 hours.
Day 2: Champex
Our journey starts at the hut around 7:00 AM, embarking on a descent along the Argentière Glacier. Next, we'll transition to skins and ascend a 200-meter snowy couloir, utilizing ropes and crampons to reach Col Passon. From this point, we'll enter the Le Tour Glacier and traverse towards the Col Superieur du Tour. This pass grants us access to the Trient Plateau, which we'll traverse, gradually descending until we reach the base of the Col des Ecadies. Along gentle slopes, we'll ski down the entire Val d'Arpette until we arrive in Champex, our destination for the night.
The elevation gain for the day will be 1000 meters and the ascent time between 6 and 8 hours in total.
Day 3: Cabane de Prafleuri
A transfer will take us from Champex to Le Châble. Then, a gondola lift will make us get into the Verbier ski area. Two more lifts to Col des Gentianes. After a 200-meter descent, we’ll put the skins on and move to Col de La Chaux. Another descent and we’ll skin up towards Col Momin. When we reach the Rosablanche, we’ll be able to see the Pigne d’Arolla. After that, a descent will take us to the Cabane de Prafleuri, where we’ll have dinner and sleep.
Today we will ascend around 6 hours with a total altitude change of 800 meters.
Day 4: Cabane des Dix
Our journey begins at the hut, and after a pleasant 30-minute walk, we'll arrive at the Col des Roux. At this point, we'll transition to skis and embark on an exhilarating descent overlooking the reservoir of the Grande Dixence Dam. Upon reaching the end of the lake, we'll once again don our skins and ascend the Pas du Chat, continuing our journey until we reach the Cabane des Dix. Here, we'll enjoy dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.
Vertical drop: 800 meters. Ascent time: 7-8 hours.
Day 5: Cabane des Vignettes
Our journey starts with an ascent along the Cheillon Glacier, leading us to the summit of Col du Brenay. From here, we'll continue our trek towards the Pigne d'Arolla, where we'll be rewarded with panoramas of the majestic Western Alps.
Then, we'll embark on a descent down the glacier, culminating at the Cabane des Vignettes. Here, we'll enjoy a delectable dinner and rest for the night.
The altitude change for the day will be 850 meters with a total ascent time of 6-7 hours.
Day 6: Getting to Zermatt
After skiing down to the Col de Charmontane, we'll ascend the Arolla Glacier to the Col de l'Eveque. We'll then climb the 200 meters to the Col du Mont Brulé, descend to the Tsan Glacier, and ascend to the Col de Valpelline. From here, we'll enjoy stunning views and begin the iconic descent to Zermatt, a 2,500-meter vertical drop down the Stockji Glacier.
Elevation gain of 1,000 meters and 8 to 10 hours of ascent time.
Details
More info
- Research and rescue insurance with IFMGA coverage (recommended): €12 per person for 7 days. Hiring of any personal equipment (harness, ice axe, crampons and helmet): €15 per person.
- The mountain guide’s expenses (lifts, transfers, meals and accommodation) are not included in the price and must be covered by participants.
- Taxi service to Le Châble (CHF 120, divided among all participants).
- Fees for lift facilities, transfers and mountain lodges are subject to changes established and applied by they respective owners, without any liability attributable to the mountain guide.
Meeting point
FAQs
What experience and how fit do I need to be traverse the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route?
Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route requires some previous ski touring experiences and good confidence in off-piste skiing.
About your fitness, you should consider that the Haute Route is a demanding adventure, with six days of effort: a good workout in the months leading up to the trip is recommended so that you can experience the adventure to the fullest and not get too fatigued.
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
In the months leading up to the trip, we recommend consistent training to improve your endurance and your cardiovascular fitness. When you confirm the trip, we will send you specific recommendations about the training.
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
Yes, you need to bring the technical equipment required for this trip: avalanche beacon, shovel and probe, harness, ice axes and crampons. We can rent all this for about 50€ per day. Alternatively we can recommend nearby rentals, even if you need to rent skis, ski touring equipment, ski mountaineering boots and the rest of the clothing.
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
Absolutely no porters are expected for this ascent. Each participant should bring the personal backpack and technical equipment, including thermos for tea/water and energy bars/dried fruit and energy food for the trip.
How will accommodation and meals be handled?
We will take care of the accommodation booking that includes:
- n. 4 overnight in huts with half board formula: Argèntiere Hut Cabane de Prafleuri, Cabane des Dix and Cabane des Vignettes
- n. 1 overnight in an hotel in Champex or Verbier with half board formula (depending on availability)
So, breakfast and dinner will be included in the rate and booked by us, while all other meals and drinks are excluded.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
Please consider that weather and conditions can change unexpectedly and, especially in recent years due to climate change, there are not always the best conditions for a safe ascent. In such cases, because your and our safety is our priority, we will propose an alternative trip to nearby mountains with better conditions. Note that you are booking our availability for the duration of the tour, this means that it will not be possible to cancel due to poor conditions. We will be careful to arrange an experience that lives up to your expectations. We understand that this may be a frustrating outcome, however, safety is a top priority, and every mountain has a lesson to teach.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that we need to consider before the tour?
Yes, there are several special requirements that you need to consider for this trip. Here are some of them:
- It is strongly recommended to have travel insurance that covers mountain activities, such as a specific insurance for rescue and research; if you need one, after your confirmation, we can recommend some solutions suitable for you.
- There are no specific vaccine requirements for this trip, but it is always a good idea to check with your doctor or a travel clinic to make sure you are up to date on routine vaccinations. Also, there is no longer need to provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results.
- We finally invite all non-Schengen citizens to inform themselves about specific permits to enter France and Switzerland.
What is the guide-to-client ratio to traverse through the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route?
The maximum number of clients per single Guide is six, thus giving a ratio of 1:6. This is the maximum number in order to ensure your safety and that of the Guide. If you are a group of more than six people, we have more guides available to undertake the adventure.
What is the best time of the year to traverse through the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route?
The best time to realize this adventure is in March and April.
Can I join a group?
Yes, you can choose to book a private tour or decide to join a group, to reduce the costs.
We have already confirmed and planned group trips, departing in 2023, on the following dates:
- March 13th
- March 28th
- April 2nd
- April 9th
Before confirm a group tour, please remember that you will share the ascent in When is the optimal season for conquering the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route with other skiers, that could have different fit and previous experience than you: the Guide will be responsible for the entire team and he has to respect the daily timetable. The decision to share a trip with others to reduce the total costs requires to accept to be part of a team, in which adaptation and capacity for mutual support are essential requirements for all participants.
If you evaluate your fit level, skiing level or previous experience in off-piste and your ski touring technical skills too low or inadequate to the abilities and efforts that this demanding tour requires, you probably should take the PRIVATE tour, as the best option for you.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
PeaksHunter
4.7
(237)
Mountain Guide
Founded in 2013 by Elis and Silvia, PEAKSHUNTER is a team of IFMGA-certified mountain guides.
Although we all have different backgrounds and experiences, we share the same goals and projects and, more than anything, love our job and share a deep passion for the mountains.
Professionalism and safety are our core values because we love our job and we are passionate about Mountain and Nature.
We are enthusiastic to share new adventures and guarantee the most memorable emotions to all our clients.
If you are interested in experience the beauty of Nature and the power of the Mountains, Peakshunter Mountain Guides will be happy to guide you! We want to provide you with intense emotions and want to be there to share them with you. We feel we've done our job when there are big, cheesy smiles on everybody's faces at the end of the day.
We want to build a strong, long-lasting relationship with our clients, based on the respect we feel for everyone who joins us in the exploration of this striking vertical world.
Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Monterosa, Dufourspitze and Margherita Hut, Gran Paradiso, Breithorn, Castor and Pollux are only a few of several 4000 Alps summits next to the area we live and work: the beautiful little Aosta Valley region, close to French and Swiss borders and not far from Geneva, Milan and Turin international airports.
Realize your dreams, discovering breathtaking views or simply living an extraordinary day: you just need to use your imagination and we will realize your trip as you desire to live it!
Peakshunter Mountain Guides team will be happy to guide you, sharing adventures and being you companions, personal trainers, consultants and expertise supporters for all you need in planning the next Mountain dream!
Languages
Italian | French | English
Certificates
IFMGA
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