Chamonix-Zermatt, the Haute Route ski tour

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.

We’ll leave the hut around 7 am. We’ll begin skiing down a stretch of the Argentière Glacier. We’ll then skin up to a 200-meter snowy couloir, which we’ll ascend with ropes and crampons up to Col Passon. From here we’ll enter the Le Tour Glacier. We’ll cross in direction to the Col Superieur du Tour. The col gives us access to the Trient Plateau, which we’ll traverse descending until we’re under the Col des Ecadies. Along easy slopes we’ll ski down the entire Val d’Arpette until we reach Champex, where we will stop for the night.

The elevation gain for the day will be 1000 meters and the ascent time between 6 and 8 hours in total.

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.

From the hut, we’ll get to the Col des Roux in about 30 minutes. We’ll take off the skins and start a long descent above the reservoir of the Grande Dixence Dam. At the end of the lake, we’ll put our skins back on and ascend the Pas du Chat, then continue until we reach the Cabane des Dix. Dinner and overnight stay in the hut.

Vertical drop: 800 meters. Ascent time: 7-8 hours.

We’ll start by ascending the Cheillon Glacier up to Col du Brenay, then continue to the Pigne d’Arolla. Here we’ll enjoy a breathtaking 360° view of the Western Alps!!! Then, a great descent on glacier will lead us to the Cabane des Vignettes, for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

The altitude change for the day will be 850 meters with a total ascent time of 6-7 hours.

We’ll ski down to the Col de Charmontane and from the Arolla Glacier, we’ll ascend to the Col de l’Eveque. Once we’re under the Col du Mont Brulé, we’ll put our skis on and our backpacks and climb the 200 meters that separate us from the col. Another descent will take us right in the middle of the Tsan Glacier. Then a long but easy ascent will take us to the Col de Valpelline. From here we’ll enjoy an unbelievable view of the Dent d’Herens and the Matterhorn’s west face. Finally we’ll begin the iconic descent to Zermatt, with a 2,500-meter vertical drop, down the Stockji Glacier, under the Matterhorn’s north face.

Elevation gain of 1,000 meters and 8 to 10 hours of ascent time.