The Chamonix-Zermatt High Level Route (haute route)

The haute route is justifiably the most famous ski tour in the Alps.
It is a journey across some of the highest passes of the Alps from Chamonix to Zermatt, staying in mountain huts for 6 nights in a row.
To complete the haute route is a great achievement for intermediate level ski tourers. You need to be a steady off piste skier, confident with crampons and ice axe, and also to have previous ski touring experience, including staying in mountain huts, such as on our 5 day intro to ski touring course.

Climbing to the Col du Mont Brule on the final day of the Haute Route

Itinerary
Day 1
Evening meet at the accommodation in Chamonix to discuss gear and check insurance etc.
Day 2
A quick warm up run on the Grands Montets before heading off down to the Refuge d’Argentiere.
Day 3
A long climb (3-4 hours) up to the Col du Chardonnet, followed by a steep descent off the other side. Over the to the Fenetre de Saleina and then down to the Refuge de Trient.
Day 4
From the Trient hut we ski 1300m down the Val d’Arpette to the village of Champex, where we have lunch. A taxi then takes us to Verbier. The lifts take us to the top of Mont Fort, we ski down to the Mont Fort refuge.
Day 5
From the Mont Fort refuge we traverse to the Prafleuri hut, taking in the peak of the Rosablanche along the way. (5-6 hours)
Day 6
From the Prafleuri we climb over the Col des Roux and then to the Dix Hut (5 hrs)
Day 7
We climb the Pigne d’Arolla (3796m) and then ski down from the summit to the Vignettes hut. (5-6 hours)
Day 8
A really big day over 3 cols: the Col de L’Eveque, the Col de Mont Brule and the Col de Valpelline follwed by a long descent down the Stockji glacier to Zermatt for a celebratory night out! (8-11 hours)
Day 9
Taxi back to Chamonix

This is a planned itinerary but due to weather and snow conditions it could change.
There is some flexibility to cope with bad weather delays.

Included in the price
Guiding and Instruction
Taxis from Champex to Verbier and Zermatt to Chamonix
Loan of avalanche equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe)
Loan of harness, ice axe and crampons.
6 nights Half board accommmdation in huts.
1 night’s accommodation in Zermatt
2 nights accommodation in Chamonix

Excluded from the price
Flights
Insurance (medical, cancellation and rescue insurance for unlimited ski mountaineering)
Transfers to/from the airport
Hire of skis, poles, boots, skins, couteaux for ski mountaineering
Lunches
Evening meals in the valley
Lift passes and cost of any other public transport used over and above the planned taxis (ie extra trains, taxis, buses in the event of bad weather additional travel)
Personal equipment and clothing

Price and Dates.
Price: 950 gbp per person
Provisional dates: 15-23 March 08, 6-12 April 08, 13-20 April 08