Haute Route Ski Traverse (trip)
Haute Route Ski Traverse
- Airport near Chamonix, France
- Active & Adventure
| Contact provider for price | 12 Days | Year-round |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Mountain Madness | 12 people max | |
This route is perhaps the most famous ski tour in the world. There are few places in the world where skiers can travel unencumbered, in the heart of the mountains, over high cols, hidden valleys, and immense glaciers. The huts in the Alps allow us to enjoy the skiing as only traveling light can. You'll witness an amazing mixture of cultures while staying in these huts as you socialize with ski mountaineers from around world who are also taking on the challenge of the Haute Route.
The Haute Route is a tour for skiers with advanced skills who are able to ski in variable snow conditions. Skiers should be able to ski "off piste" in all types of ungroomed snow. Also, for our climbs skiers should be able to execute uphill kick-turns without difficulty. This is a challenging tour which requires skiers to be in excellent shape not just for the downhill skiing but also for the uphill sections. A basic knowledge of general mountaineering techniques is helpful but not necessary. Any specialized mountaineering techniques required for this tour can be learned from Mountain Madness Guides during the first couple days of the trip. We will meet in Chamonix on the afternoon or evening before the tour begins to answer questions, begin packing and finalize other logistics.
Highlights:
Savor the delights of the Alps from the comforts of the charming French and Swiss alpine hut system, which offer warm beds, fully catered meals and wine.
Ski 4,000-8,000 feet descents to remote huts, while crossing high mountain passes amid amazing scenery including Mont Blanc and the world famous Matterhorn. Maximum altitude reached is 11,460 feet.
Suitable for advanced to expert skiers.
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Locations visited/nearby
Haute Route Trek & Climb, France, Europe
0 testimonials about this trip.
3 testimonials about the provider, Mountain Madness:
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Reviewer: Bill Alorets, Glacier Mountaineering Course
“Great trip! Lots of training and summit day was incredible. Lead and assistant guide was always available and incredible patient. I highly recommend Mountain Madness to anyone!”
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Reviewer: Vince Colletti, Basic Rock Course
“I had one of the most amazing weekends of my life and our guide was responsible for that. I can’t say enough words of praise for him, or the staff of Mountain Madness. You definitely have a return customer!”
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Reviewer: Angelina Trujillo, Mt. Baker Slow boat climb
“Thank you! This trip was very successful due to our guides and their support. My limited experience and older age was taken into account on how they managed our group which was the reason for all of our success!”
Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
Itinerary
Day 1Depart from home.
Day 2
Hotel Gustavia, Chamonix – Check in to your hotel and get organized for tomorrow’s departure. Chamonix is a beautiful quaint French town with many great shops and restaurants.
Day 3
Vallée Blanche ski descent.– Meet in Chamonix. Discuss route plan and review equipment. Ride Aiguille du Midi and ski the Vallee Blanche where we have the opportunity for practicing skills on glacier. Night in Chamonix.
Day 4
Trient Hut – Today we ride the tram at the Grand Montet and cross the Argentiere Glacier to reach the Col du Chardonnet.. We cross the Fenetre de Saleina then continue to the Trient Hut (10,370ft.,3170m).
Day 5
Champex – Cross Col des Ecandies (9,145 ft., 2796m), descend to the Val d'Arpette to the quaint village of Champex situated by a pristine alpine lake. We will take a short break from the alpine environment and bus to Bourg St. Pierre. We spend the night in Bourg St. Pierre and enjoy the comforts of the Swiss village.
Day 6
Valsorey Hut – Today we will hike under the Grand Combin (14,115ft., 4314m) and climb over 4,000 feet to reach the Valsorey Hut (8,050ft.,2462m)
Day 7
Chanrion Hut – Today we will climb over the Plateau du Couloir, the Col du Sonadon and ski down the Durrand glacier to reach the Chanrion Hut (8,050ft.,2462m)
Day 8
Vignettes Hut – Traverse high above the village of Arolla to the Vignettes Hut (10,340ft.,3160m). From the hut there is beautiful view back down the glacier with snow covered mountains in the distance.
Day 9
Zermatt– Today we will descend slightly before climbing over the Col de‘Eveque (11,095ft.,3392m).We descend and cross the Glacier to cross Col du Mt. Brulé (10,510ft.,3213m) to the Col du Valpaline then enjoy the 2400 meter descent down the Stockji glacier under the Matterhorn and into Zermatt.
Day 10
Zermatt—This is our extra day, which if not needed for weather during the tour gives up one more day of skiing to enjoy in the Zermatt area. Possible options include
Schwartztor, a great glacier descent from the Klein Matterhorn.
Continue to Saas Fee, over the Adler Pass and down into the Saas valley.
Over to Cervinia for lunch and back again to Zermatt. A day skiing the pistes of Zermatt and Cervinia.We will have the opportunity to photograph the world famous Matterhorn, (14,700ft , 4480 m.). Tonight we will enjoy our final night together in Zermatt.
Day 11
Departure – Return to Chamonix or depart back home.
Day 12
Arrive home.
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