The Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route has become the classic ski tour with many variations.
Using huts to overnight you can ski with a small a pack as possible (30 – 45 Lt) therefore enjoying the down! Meeting in Chamonix, the first day is spent revising technique and skills before setting off for the following 6 days journey through some of the most magnificent terrain in the Alps. March to April.
Sample itinerary:
Day 1. Short tour in Chamonix area revising skills and checking equipment. You don’t need to discover your skins aren’t working half way up the Col du Chardonnet!
Day 2. A big day. We take the lift to the top of the Grand Montets before skiing down onto the Argentiere Glacier. From here we carry on over the Col de Chardonnet and head towards Switzerland and the Trient Hut.
Day 3. Over the Col des Ecandies to Champex. From here it’s best to take a taxi round to Verbier where we access the lift system before spending the night in the Mont Fort Hut.
Day 4. From the Mont Fort hut we go via the Rosa Blanche towards the Prafleuri Hut.
Day 5. Prafleuri Hut to the Dix Hut.
Day 6. From the Dix we ascend the Serpentine (sometimes icy – we may rope up) and the Pigne d’Arolla. This peak gives superb views on a clear day before the descent to the Vignettes Refuge – newly refurbished.
Day 7. The classic run into Zermatt. We cross 3 cols today: Col d’Eveque, Col du Mt Brulee and the Col du Valpelline before passing under the Matterhorn.
