THE HAUTE ROUTE CHAMONIX-ZERMATT
8 days
25th March 2010 - 3rd April 2010

This ski tour from Chamonix to Zermatt, also known as the high level route, is without a doubt the most famous and the most spectacular hut to hut ski tour in the world, and rightly so!

Arrival day:
Meet up in the evening, talk and check gear.

Day 1
Ski on the Grands Montets. In the afternoon, we skin to the the Argentière hut.

Day 2
Skin up to the Col du Chardonnet and descend with the use of a rope on to the Salina glacier. Gain the Fenêtre de Salina, which gives access to the Trient Plateau. Cross the Trient glacier to the Trient hut.

Day 3
Ski down the Trient glacier to the Col des Écondies. The short ascent to the col is made on foot with skis carried on the rucksack. From the col a very pleasant ski descent down the Val d'Arpette with superb views to the village of Champex. We use a taxi pick up to drive us to the Verbier ski lift. From the lift we have a short ski to the Montfort hut. If wished there is the possibility of getting in a few ski runs in, on the Verbier lift system.

Day 4
From the Montfort hut, we ascend two cols: Col de la Chaux, Col de Morin. From here, we traverse to the glacier de Plafleuri, where we have the option of climbing the Rosa Blanche 3336m. On a clear day, we have wonderful views to Mt Blanc, Matterhorn and the Oberland. A delightful ski brings you to the Plafleuri hut.

Day 5
A short warm up skin brings you to the Col des Roux. From here you can admire our itinerary of the day, along the Lac des Dix, followed by the Pas de Chat to the Dix hut.

Day 6
From the Dix hut you ascend the Pigne d' Arolla 3796m via the glacier de Cheilon, Col de la Serpentine and Col de Brenay. Leaving the summit you have a wonderful ski down past the Vignettes hut to the Hotel Kurhaus (a great place to chill out) at Arolla.

Day 7
The day starts by skinning along the valley floor, followed by ascent to the Bertol hut. Only ascent on this day! Every vertical metre is well worth the effort, once you arrive at the birds nest view of the Bertol hut.

Day 8
Before descending the ladders at the Bertol hut, you will be confronted by the view on to the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn. After a skin of approximately 3hrs with stunning views, you arrive at the Tête Blanche. The ski down to Zermatt from the Tête Blanche, down the Stocki and Zmutt glaciers is a memorable finish to an truly incredible ski tour.

Generally after having a drink and meal in Zermatt most groups take a taxi back to Chamonix.

Participants skiing and fitness level: One should be already a keen off piste skier and ski tourer with a good parallel technique on black pistes, able to link up at least ten turns in powder snow and ski with a day pack. Also have a very good physical condition.

Maximum guide/client ratio: 1/6 Course fee, per participant: 600 Euros. This course will run with a minimum of 3 participants.

Included in the course fee: Guiding and instruction from a IFMGA certified mountain guide. Loan of safety equipment: avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, harness. Not included in the course fee: Clients personal ski equipment, accommodation, any form of transport, meals and drinks. At the clients charge also is the guides living costs when not based in the Chamonix valley. This itinerary can be changed by the guide at any time, depending on the weather, snow conditions and for the safety of the group.

See also
Introduction to Ski Touring
Off piste & backcountry skiing - Chamonix Classics
La Grave - Steep & Deep

INSURANCE:
It is essential to be adequately insured by a specialist company, which must cover all mountaineering activities. Also consider travel insurance.
You can consult: The Austrian Alpine Club or The British Mountaineering Council.