The Classic Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt
There are now multiple variations of this route, Chamonix Mont Blanc Guides offers you the classic 7 days route: starting from Argentière (upper side of the Chamonix valley), through some of the Alps' most spectacular scenery, arriving in Zermatt at the foot of the famous Matterhorn.
The Haute Route is an Advanced Level trip for experienced ski tourers. The tour involves several big climbs and long technical descents, with a number of sections where the use of the rope for security is necessary. Like most high altitude ski tours, reasonable weather and snow conditions are required in order to complete the whole tour.
Your high mountain guide:
- Alpinism state qualified
- English and French speaking
Please use the tabs above to read about the day by day itinerary, and other useful information.
Included/Exclude
- Half board (dinner and breakfast)
- Packed lunches
- Accommodation
- Mountain Guide fees
- Lift Passes
- Insurance
- No luggage transportation.
- Tickets
Haute Route Chamonix Zermatt Tour Plan
Haute Route Day by Day Itinerary
Itinerary subject to change depending on weather / mountain conditions & participants fitness.
Day 0
Evening before, telephone appointment with your guide for a Program briefing, plus gear check, and confirm meeting time on the morning of Day 1.
Your guide will bring the gear you have requested from us on day 1.
Night in the hotel (2 or 3 *** depending availability) in shared twin room on Bed & Breakfast base. Dinner is at your charge.
Day 1: Argentière hut or Albert 1er hut
Depending on the availabilties in the huts and opening of the cable cars, we either aim for Argentière or Albert 1er hut.
We 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, we put our skis on our back-pack, put crampons on and ascend the 80m of couloir, to arrive at the col du Passon (3030m.)
Here we can admire the Tour Glacier and the north face of the impressive Chardonnet mountain.
We 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 our ski touring skills and avalanche safety.
Hours: 5 to 6 h
Altitude range: -900m / +540m
Day 2: Albert 1er to Champex
We 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 we have some short steep sections and we will most likely use ropes and crampons. A superb ski descent takes us to the picturesque lakeside village of Champex, where we spend the night in a gite.
Hours: 5 to 6h
Altitude range: +1041m/ -1100m
Day 3: Champex to Prafleuri hut
We take a bus or taxi 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).
Hours: 4 to 5h
Altitude range: +400m/ -2372m
Day 4: Prafleuri hut to Dix hut
A 6 am departure to cross the short col des Roux followed by a long traverse above Dix Lake which we follow to the Pas du Chat.
We climb up to the Dix hut (2928m) opposite the imposing north face of the Mont Blanc de Cheilon.
Hours: 6 to 7h
Altitude range: +730m/ -430m
Day 5: Dix hut to Vignettes hut
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 we can admire the view stretching from the Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn before skiing between seracs down to Vignettes.
Hours: 6 to 7h
Altitude range: +868 m/ -602m
Day 6 : Vignettes hut to Bertol hut
We descend to the Mont Collon glacier then climb to the Evêque pass (3392m) dominated by the peaks of the Evêque and the Cardinal.
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 us to the Bertol hut (3311m) perched on a rocky spur facing the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn.
Hours: 6 to 7h
Altitude range: + 1100m / - 852m
Day 7: Bertol hut to Zermatt
We cross the Mont Miné glacier to ski up to the Tête Blanche (3724m) to take in the awe of the Matterhorn pyramid. Then we 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.
We will of course reserve a hotel or taxi for you if you let us or your guide know.
Hours: 5 to 6h
Altitude range: +400m / -2000m
Haute Route Chamonix to Zermatt Technical Information
Technical level required for the Haute Route Ski Tour
Snow slopes of up to 40 degrees in varying snow conditions (deep powder, wind crusted, hard packed, etc).
You need to have previous ski touring experience, master downhill and uphill kick turns, and be able to ski in all snow conditions (style is less important!).
Ropes and crampons will sometimes be necessary, and you may have to carry your skis on your back to traverse / climb certain sections.
Fitness level for the Haute Route Ski Tour
Daily altitude ranges from 800 to 1200m with up to 8 hours walking. You should practise an endurance sport regularly.
We climb about 350m per hour, which is not difficult in itself, however it can be strenuous with backpacks and changing weather and snow conditions.
Changes to the program
The high mountain guide reserves the right to modify or interrupt the program at any time for safety reasons, technical or physical problems with one or several participants or due to bad weather and snow conditions.
Meeting point
The day before the course, at the end of afternoon, Telephone appointment with your guide to review the program, equipment and confirm the appointment of day 1.
Access
By train (SNCF): Chamonix train station via Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains - Le Fayet.
By plane: Geneva airport by coach or shuttle.
There are regular airport shuttles between Geneva Airport and Chamonix. Special discount rate on Mountaindropoffs, please ask us for the code.
Accommodation
3* hotel the night before, thereafter in catered alpine huts. Pillows and blankets are provided, but please bring a sleeping bag liner.
Meals
Half board in the huts (dinner and breakfast). You can buy lunche in the huts for the following days.
You should also bring your own additional snacks, e.g. energy bars, dried fruit and nuts (nothing heavy or squashable).
Gear
The gear list will be provided upon booking. If you wish to stay in Zermatt at the end of your ski trip we can try to bring your luggage in Zermatt depending on taxy availabilities. It will involve an extra cost.
To check all the dates, availability and prices, please revert to our main/parent website www.chamonixmontblancguides.com.
Sandrine and Pierre will be able to help you with the booking, all your questions and the payment details
https://www.chamonixmontblancguides.com/haute-route/haute-route-ski-tour-chamonix-zermatt