Haute Route Ski Tour, Chamonix / Mont Blanc Valley

There are now multiple variations of this route, but this is the classic 7-day route, starting above Chamonix in Argentiere, through some of the Alps' most spectacular scenery, arriving in Zermatt at the foot of the famous Matterhorn.

The evening before you will meet your guide at your hotel in Chamonix centre (3* Hotel Pointe Isabelle) for a briefing and equipment check. Your guide will bring any equipment you have requested, or accompany you if you need to purchase or rent any additional items.

Itinerary

Day 1: Grands Montets to Albert 1er hut (4-5 hours) Altitude range: -900m/+540m

From the top station of Les Grands Montets cable car, descend from the Rognons glacier on to the Argentière glacier.head to the Col du Passon through easy south and sunny slopes, a beautiful climb facing the impressive north face of the Argentière basin. Once at the bottom of the couloir, you will put your skis on your back-pack, put crampons on and ascend the 80m of the couloir, to arrive at the Col du Passon (3030m). Here you can admire the Tour Glacier and the north face of the impressive Chardonnet mountain, after which you ski down to Albert 1er hut by crossing the glacier plateau.

This first day is not that long and will be a good occasion to practice ski touring skills and avalanche safety.

Day 2: Albert 1er to Champex (5-6 hours) - Altitude range: +1041m/ 1100m
Climb the Col supérieur du Tour pass (3388m) then have an easy ski down the Trient glacier into Switzerland to reach the Col des Ecandies (2796m). Here you will have some short steep sections and will most likely use ropes and crampons.  A superb ski descent takes you to the picturesque lakeside village of Champex, where you spend the night in a gite. 

Day 3: Champex to Prafleuri hut (4-5 hours) - Altitude range: +400m/ -2372m
We take a bus or taxi a short distance to Chable, part of the vast Verbier ski area.  We can ski a few runs here before taking the skilift up as far as the Gentianes pass (2903m), and ski tour up to the summit of the Rosablanche (3336m).  Here a panoramic view of peaks surrounds us, before we ski down to the Prafleuri hut (2624m).

Day 4: Prafleuri hut to Dix hut (6-7 hours) - Altitude range: +730m/-430m
A 6am departure to cross the short col des Roux is followed by a long traverse above Dix Lake which you will follow to the Pas du Chat and then climb up to the Dix hut (2928m) opposite the imposing north face of the Mont Blanc de Cheilon.

Day 5: Dix hut to Vignettes hut (6-7 hours) - Altitude range: +868 m/ -602m
A climb to Serpentine pass (3423m) - most likely using crampons - leads to the Brenay pass (3639m) and finishes with the spectacular Pigne d'Arolla (3796m). Here you can admire the view stretching from the Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn before skiing between seracs down to Vignettes.

Day 6 : Vignettes hut to Bertol hut (6-7 hours) - Altitude range: + 1100m / - 852m
Descend to the Mont Collon glacier then climb to the Evêque pass (3392m) dominated by the peaks of the Evêque and the Cardinal. Followed by a traverse of the Col Collon and a superb descent on the Arolla glacier to Plan de Bertol (2615m). An 800 m ski tour up brings you to the Bertol hut (3311m) perched on a rocky spur facing the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn.

Day 7: Bertol hut to Zermatt (5-6 hours) - Altitude range: +400m/-2000m​
Cross the Mont Miné glacier to ski up to the Tête Blanche (3724m) to take in the awe of the Matterhorn pyramid. Then you will have the final descent to Zermatt on the famous Stockji and Zmutt glaciers. You can then choose to stay and rest in Zermatt, or join the other group members who plan to head back to Chamonix.

Due to variations in clients arrangements from Zermatt, the cost of transport from Zermatt or additional accommodation will be at the charge of each individual.

They will of course reserve a hotel or taxi for you if you let them know when booking or let your guide know.