7-day “regular” Haute Route ski tour via Verbier
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Experience the most historic hut to hut ski traverse in the world! David, an IFMGA certified mountain guide, will take you in this Haute Route traverse between Chamonix and Zermatt that offers fantastic ski ascents and descents on high elevation glaciated terrain while staying in cozy mountain huts.
TRIP TYPE
Group
MOUNTAIN RANGES
Alps
DURATION
7 Days
OFFER PERIOD
Mar - May
FITNESS LEVEL
high
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
PAYMENT METHODS
Credit Card, Wire Transfer and more!
Description
Description
Are you ready to experience the most mythical hut to hut ski traverse in the whole world? Then join me in the “regular” Haute Route 7-day ski tour between Chamonix and Zermatt.
This popular tour offers amazing ski ascents and descents on highly elevated and glaciated land. At nights, we will rest enjoying various homely mountain refuges. This is a one in a million trip because it will shock you with the merge of mountain beauty and culture. By the way, it is a perfect introduction to ski touring traverse in the Alps, although you need to have experience.
Weather conditions can vary wildly from -15°C to +10°C in the same day. The same for visibility: we could get zero visibility when snowing heavily, or clear view some days. So make sure you take clothes for all variations.
Prior experience with me, as it helps you anticipate the difficulty and style of our program. To get a chance to meet me and get to know the terrain before your trip starts, I recommend you join an awesome day tour of the famous “Vallée Blanche”.
So, if you are willing to attempt this mythical tour, do not hesitate to contact me!
Or, if you would like to consider other options in this area, please check my “Classic” Haute Route ski touring week via Valsorey.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1: Argentiere Glacier
We will take the 1st cable car to the Grand Montets (3300 m), descend to the Argentiere Glacier (about 2700m) and ascend the glacier to the Argentiere hut (2770m). A ski ascent of the Glacier des Amethystes to Col du Tour Noire (3535m) from the hut is possible. Avalanche training and general mountaineering skills will be covered during our first day.
D+170m
D-650m
Distance: 4 km. Duration: 2.5 hrs.
Day 2: Col du Passon - Glacier du Tour - Col Superieur du Tour
After a short ski down the Argentiere Glacier, we will ascend up to the Col du Passon (3028m), ski across the Glacier du Tour and up to the Col Superieur du Tour (3289m). From here we will ski across the border into Switzerland and down the Glacier du Trient (3090m). A short 80 meters climb will take us to the lovely Cabane du Trient (3170m), where we will spend the night.
D+1000m
D-600m
Distance: 10 km. Duration: 6hrs.
Day 3: Glacier du Trient - Verbier
We will start by doing a partial descent down the Glacier du Trient to 2700 meters. An ascent of Aiguille du Tour (3540m) is possible from here. Then, a short climb up to the Col des Ecandies (2796m) followed by a long descent down the Val d’Arpette to the quint village of Campex sur le Lac (1500m). From here, we will take a 30 minute taxi ride to Verbier, where we will spend the night. We will be lodging in town with the opportunity to buy lunch food, etc, for the next few days.
D+100m
D-1800m
Distance: 8 km. Duration: 3 hrs.
Day 4: Col des Gentianes - Cabane de Prafleuri
We will catch the first lift to the Col des Gentianes (2894m) above Verbier. From here we will travel along the south side of Mont Fort via Col de la Chaux (2940m) and Col de Momin (3020m) on our way to Cabane de Prafleuri (2624m). An ascent to the summit of Rosablanche (3336m) is possible along the way.
D+850m
D-1100m
Distance: 9 km. Duration: 6hrs.
Day 5: Col des Roux - Cabane des Dix
We will start by a short climb to the Col des Roux (2804m) above the hut. From here we will descend and contour around Lac des Dix to the Pas de Chat (2385m) and ascend to Cabane des Dix (2928m). After dropping off excess gear at the hut we will make an ascent of La Luette (3548m) and enjoy a great ski descent back to the hut.
D+1340m
D-1040m
Distance: 9 km. Duration: 7hrs.
Day 6: Col de la Serpentine - Cabane des Vignettes
From the Cabane des Dix we will ascend the Glacier de Cheilon towards the Col de la Serpentine (3547m) and eventually to the summit of Pigne d’Arolla (3790m). From here, an amazing ski descent will take us down to the stunning Cabane des Vignettes (3160m).
D+900m
D-650m
Distance: 7 km. Duration: 6 hrs.
Day 7: 3 Col traverse
The last day of the Haute Route, showcasing the famous 3 Col traverse, is arguably the best day of the whole trip! From the Vignettes hut to Zermatt we will travel through heaps of glaciated terrain via Col de l’Eveque (3392m), Col du Mont Brulee (3213m) and Col de Valpelline (3568m). We will then ski a long run down the Zmutt Glacier underneath the impressive North Face of the Matterhorn to eventually arrive in Zermatt. There, we will celebrate and spend our last night in a hotel.
D+1140m
D-2700m
Distance: 25 km. Duration: 8 hrs.
Details
Details
More info
Pre-Trip Meeting: meet me for a pre-trip briefing, equipment check and dinner. We will spend the night in a hotel in the Chamonix Valley.
Not included in price: -Personal ski touring clothing & ski equipment including skis, skins, poles, ski crampons, ski tour boots. -technical equipment including boot crampons, avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes (rentals available). -Transportation and lodging costs prior to the meeting. -2-3 hotel nights; Chamonix/Argentiere pre-trip (72 chf/night), Arolla Hotel (70-100 chf ), mid trip & Zermatt (65-90 E/night) at end of trip, including breakfast. -Dinner in Chamonix/Argentiere, Arolla and Zermatt pre/post trip. -Lunch, alcohol & snacks in the valley/at huts. Please ensure you have cash in currency to cover these expenses: many huts may not accept credit. -Guest Grand Montet Lift fee in Argentiere, L’aiguille du Midi lift for Valley Blanche day trip option, Col des Gentians lift. -The Furi lift to Zermatt if snow cover prevents from skiing down. -Luggage transfer from Chamonix Valley to Zermatt on day 1, $90 Cdn / 60E per bag. -Trip cancellation, adventure travel & rescue insurance, medical insurance. -Any additional lifts, train & taxi costs related to a plan change-. -Gratuities for guide or assistant.
Meeting point
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