PROGRAM
Chamonix Zermatt Haute Route is a ski touring traverse that connects France to Switzerland along the well-known high route from Chamonix to Zermatt. Established in 1903 thanks to the efforts of an English team, at the time it was a heroic feat unlike anything previously attempted. Today, it maintains its status as the world’s most iconic ski-mountaineering tour. Its notoriety derives from the fabled atmosphere, the rewarding climbs and thrilling descents, and from the kaleidoscope of breathtaking views it offers along the way. With its long high-altitude legs and significant elevation gaps, it remains a challenge, requiring a good overall level of training and physical fitness.
Join now one of our open group, or contact us to organize your Chamonix – Zermatt ski touring trip. Please note that places in the refuges are limited and we recommend booking as early as possible to be sure of a place.
GROUP DEPARTURES
Difference in altitude: 600 metres (positive gain); 200 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: about 3 hours
Meeting point: Argèntiere cable car parking
Meeting with the Guide in Argèntiere, where we start the Chamonix Zermatt Haute Route ski touring. After the equipment check and a short brief, we take the cable car up to Lognan.
From there in just over an hour we’ll reach the Argentière Hut.
Dinner and overnight at the hut.
Note: this is a short, “orientation” leg.
Difference in altitude: 600 metres (positive gain); 200 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: about 3 hours
Meeting point: Argèntiere cable car parking
Meeting with the Guide in Argèntiere, where we start the Chamonix Zermatt Haute Route ski touring. After the equipment check and a short brief, we take the cable car up to Lognan.
From there in just over an hour we’ll reach the Argentière Hut.
Dinner and overnight at the hut.
Note: this is a short, “orientation” leg.
Difference in altitude: 1,000 metres (positive gain); 2,200 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: 6-8 hours
Wake up and breakfast at the hut.
We’ll begin skiing down a stretch of the Argentière Glacier. We’ll then skin up to a quaint 200-metre snowy couloir, which we’ll ascend with ropes and crampons up to Col Passon. From here we’ll enter the Le Tour Glacier; we will cross towards 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 Ecandies. Getting to the col requires ropes and crampons for a brief, 100-metre stretch. Along lovely and easy slopes we’ll ski down the entire Val d’Arpette until we reach Champex, where we will stop for the night.
Note: A long but highly scenic leg. Great views of the Chardonnet, the Aiguilles Dorées and the Aiguille du Tour.
Difference in altitude: 1,000 metres (positive gain); 2,200 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: 6-8 hours
Wake up and breakfast at the hut.
We’ll begin skiing down a stretch of the Argentière Glacier. We’ll then skin up to a quaint 200-metre snowy couloir, which we’ll ascend with ropes and crampons up to Col Passon. From here we’ll enter the Le Tour Glacier; we will cross towards 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 Ecandies. Getting to the col requires ropes and crampons for a brief, 100-metre stretch. Along lovely and easy slopes we’ll ski down the entire Val d’Arpette until we reach Champex, where we will stop for the night.
Note: A long but highly scenic leg. Great views of the Chardonnet, the Aiguilles Dorées and the Aiguille du Tour.
Difference in altitude: 800 metres (positive gain); 1,050 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: 4-6 hours
Wake up and and breakfast at the hotel.
A short taxi or shuttle ride will take us from Champex to Le Châble in about half an hour. A gondola lift will usher us into the Verbier ski area; 2 more lifts will take us on Col des Gentianes. After a 200-metre on-piste descent, we’ll put on the skins and head up to Col de La Chaux. Another descent – about 300 m of vertical drop – then we’ll skin up again towards Col Momin. An awesome vista unfolds, onto the Grand Desert Glacier that will lead us to the Rosablanche. From the top, looking south, we’ll be able to see the Pigne d’Arolla, which we’ll reach a few days later. A highly enjoyable descent will take us to the Cabane de Prafleuri, where we will have dinner and spend the night.
Note: A long but highly scenic leg. Great views of the Chardonnet, the Aiguilles Dorées and the Aiguille du Tour.
Difference in altitude: 800 metres (positive gain); 1,050 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: 4-6 hours
Wake up and and breakfast at the hotel.
A short taxi or shuttle ride will take us from Champex to Le Châble in about half an hour. A gondola lift will usher us into the Verbier ski area; 2 more lifts will take us on Col des Gentianes. After a 200-metre on-piste descent, we’ll put on the skins and head up to Col de La Chaux. Another descent – about 300 m of vertical drop – then we’ll skin up again towards Col Momin. An awesome vista unfolds, onto the Grand Desert Glacier that will lead us to the Rosablanche. From the top, looking south, we’ll be able to see the Pigne d’Arolla, which we’ll reach a few days later. A highly enjoyable descent will take us to the Cabane de Prafleuri, where we will have dinner and spend the night.
Note: A long but highly scenic leg. Great views of the Chardonnet, the Aiguilles Dorées and the Aiguille du Tour.
Difference in altitude: 800 metres (positive gain); 500 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: 7-8 hours
Wakeup and breakfast at the hut.
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 descending traverse above the reservoir of the Grande Dixence Dam, the tallest gravity dam in Europe. At the end of the lake, we’ll put our skins back on and ascend the Pas du Chat, then continue with ease up small narrow valleys until we reach the Cabane des Dix. Dinner and overnight stay in the hut.
Note: this is a long “transfer” leg on our way to the Pigne d’Arolla.
Difference in altitude: 800 metres (positive gain); 500 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: 7-8 hours
Wakeup and breakfast at the hut.
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 descending traverse above the reservoir of the Grande Dixence Dam, the tallest gravity dam in Europe. At the end of the lake, we’ll put our skins back on and ascend the Pas du Chat, then continue with ease up small narrow valleys until we reach the Cabane des Dix. Dinner and overnight stay in the hut.
Note: this is a long “transfer” leg on our way to the Pigne d’Arolla.
Difference in altitude: 850 metres (positive gain); 650 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: 6-7 hours
Wake up and breakfast at the hut.
We’ll start by ascending the Cheillon Glacier up to Col du Brenay, then continue to the Pigne d’Arolla.
The truly breathtaking 360° view over much of the Western Alps is a fair reward for the laborious ascent. A wonderful descent on glacier will lead us to the Cabane des Vignettes, for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Note: the Pigne d’Arolla is the climax of the tour: a unique terrace on the Valais peaks!
Difference in altitude: 850 metres (positive gain); 650 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: 6-7 hours
Wake up and breakfast at the hut.
We’ll start by ascending the Cheillon Glacier up to Col du Brenay, then continue to the Pigne d’Arolla.
The truly breathtaking 360° view over much of the Western Alps is a fair reward for the laborious ascent. A wonderful descent on glacier will lead us to the Cabane des Vignettes, for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Note: the Pigne d’Arolla is the climax of the tour: a unique terrace on the Valais peaks!
Difference in altitude: 1,000 metres (positive gain); 2,500 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: 8-10 hours
Wake up and breakfast at the hut.
From the hut, we’ll ski down to the Col de Charmontane, and from the Arolla Glacier we’ll ascend to the Col de l’Eveque. The descent on the Upper Arolla Glacier is easy and enjoyable. Once we’re under the Col du Mont Brulé, we’ll put our skis on our packs and climb the 200 metres that separate us from the col. Another descent will take us right in the middle of the Tsa de 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. At last, we’ll begin the final, iconic descent to Zermatt, with a 2,500-metre vertical drop, down the often-tormented Stockji Glacier, under the Matterhorn’s north face. We go back to Argèntiere parking by private transfer.
Note: the final leg is long but varied and exciting. The descent of the Stockji will be a memory that nothing can ever erase!
Difference in altitude: 1,000 metres (positive gain); 2,500 metres (descent gain)
Ascent time: 8-10 hours
Wake up and breakfast at the hut.
From the hut, we’ll ski down to the Col de Charmontane, and from the Arolla Glacier we’ll ascend to the Col de l’Eveque. The descent on the Upper Arolla Glacier is easy and enjoyable. Once we’re under the Col du Mont Brulé, we’ll put our skis on our packs and climb the 200 metres that separate us from the col. Another descent will take us right in the middle of the Tsa de 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. At last, we’ll begin the final, iconic descent to Zermatt, with a 2,500-metre vertical drop, down the often-tormented Stockji Glacier, under the Matterhorn’s north face. We go back to Argèntiere parking by private transfer.
Note: the final leg is long but varied and exciting. The descent of the Stockji will be a memory that nothing can ever erase!
DETAILS
RATES
- the assistance of a UIAGM/IFMGA certified Mountain Guide
- the Mountain Guide’s expenses (lifts, transfers, meals and accommodation)
- liability insurance
- overnight stay in a refuge with half board
- overnight stays in B&B
- tickets for lift facilities
- booking assistance service (including assistance for refuges and lifts reservation)
- transfer during the tour (Champex-Verbier and Zermatt-Argentiere)
The rate does not include
- research and rescue insurance with UVGAM coverage (recommended): €12 per person for 7 days
- the hiring of any personal equipment (avalanche beacon, shovel and probe): €25/day per person while supplies last
- the hiring of any personal equipment (harness, ice axe and crampons): €20/day per person while supplies last
- transfers
- extra meals and drinks
- anything that is not mentioned under "The rate includes"
