France → Switzerland
Haute Route — Chamonix to Zermatt
The route is classic. The decisions are made each day.
One of the great classics of ski mountaineering. From Chamonix through high alpine terrain, across glaciers and cols, to the finish beneath the Matterhorn in Zermatt.
The Haute Route is more than a way of moving between two well-known alpine villages. Over six days we travel through an environment where weather, snow, glaciers and the condition of the group decide the choices. The base route is classic, but the best Haute Route is never entirely fixed in advance.
The journey
We meet in Chamonix or Argentière to go through the week, check equipment and read the current weather and avalanche forecast.
Over the following six days we work our way east toward Zermatt. Nights are spent mainly in mountain huts, with one hotel night in Champex.
The planned route follows the Verbier variation, by way of Argentière, Col du Passon, Champex, Prafleuri and Cabane des Dix, then on toward Pigne d'Arolla and Cabane des Vignettes before the final day leads across the glaciers toward Zermatt.
The aim is not to follow a line at any cost. The aim is to make a good journey through the mountains.
Planned route
Argentière · Col du Passon · Champex · Prafleuri · Cabane des Dix · Pigne d'Arolla · Cabane des Vignettes · Zermatt
What's included
- Professional guiding for six mountain days
- Five nights in mountain huts and hotel during the traverse itself
- Breakfast and dinner at included accommodation
- Planning and reservations
- The guide's own expenses during the journey
Not included
- Accommodation in Chamonix before the start
- Accommodation in Zermatt after the traverse
- Travel to Chamonix and from Zermatt
- Lift passes
- Local transport and taxis
- Lunches
- Drinks and snacks at the huts
- Personal ski equipment
- Personal insurance covering off-piste, ski touring and rescue or evacuation
Who it suits
- Roughly 1,000–1,400 vertical metres per day over consecutive days
- Reliable kick turns in terrain up to approximately 35°
- Controlled off-piste skiing with an 8–10 kg pack
- Using skins and handling your own touring equipment
- Basic use of transceiver, probe and shovel
- Previous multi-day ski touring is an advantage, though not an absolute requirement for a strong and experienced skier.
Weather, visibility, snow, avalanche conditions and the state of the group decide the day. Professional judgement always outweighs a published itinerary.