Our aim is for you to complete the most famous ski tour in the Alps: the High Level Route connecting Chamonix and Zermatt. Its popular reputation is fully justified on account of the fabulous mountain scenery, the tough climbs, exhilarating descents and terrific sense of achievement on finally arriving in Zermatt!
- See - 2007 Trip Report.
Client Feedback " First, thank you for such a brilliant week in the Alps. I so enjoyed it - a real break, a great experience, great company, good climbs and it was very good of you to arrange the powder for us as well! " CT - Haute Route '06
Starting Point The famous ski capital of Chamonix. The resort can be reached easily by road, or via airport transfer from Geneva.
Sample ItinerarySubject to weather and snow conditions, we aim to take the classic Verbier Route which gives the most reliable passage to Zermatt - See Photos,Movie 1, Movie 2.
Day 0
Sat
PM meet in Chamonix - discuss plans, sort food and kit, overnight in valley.
Day 1
Sun
Warm up morning off piste skiing at the Grand Montets, before approaching the Argentiere hut in the afternoon.
Day 2
Mon
Early start for skin up to Col du Passon, traverse into Switzerland and stop at the charming Trient hut.
Day 3
Tue
Descend the Val d'Arpette to Champex. Short road transfer, before lunch in Verbier and on to the Prafleuri hut - See Movie 1
Day 4
Wed
Long descending traverse above the Lac des Dix, before climbing up to the Dix hut itself.
Day 5
Thu
The highest point reached on the trip. Traverse of the Pigne d'Arolla (3790m) to the Vignettes hut - See Movie 2
Day 6
Fri
There are few days to compare. In 30km of skiing we cross 3 cols, 7 glaciers and climb 1100m, before descending down past the Matterhorn to Zermatt.
Day 7
Sat
Spare day in case of poor weather. (Having a day in hand greatly increases the likelihood of completing the route).
This day is spent either finishing the route, or if on schedule, skiing off piste around Zermatt. PM Transfer back to Chamonix.
Food and Accommodation We run all of our ski tours on a guiding & instruction only basis to allow you maximum flexibility with accommodation options. Our recommended hotel in the Chamonix valley is the friendly Hotel Les Lanchers** in Chamonix Les Praz. You are however free to make other accomodation arrangements if you choose (Chamonix has numerous hotels and gites available at a wide variety of prices - click on 'reservation' at the Chamonix website for more details). The guide will book all hut accommodation for the tour, as well as for the night in Zermatt - you just pay for these as we we go along.
Travel Chamonix is easily reached via airport transfer from Geneva (bookable online). Again, we will arrange all transport needed during the tour, including the return transfer back from Zermatt to Chamonix - you pay for these items direct as we go along.
Fitness The Haute Route is a demanding week, which requires good levels of fitness(see fitness level 3) - so we advise you to prepare well in advance with regular cardiovascular training and ideally some skiing.
Skiing Ability You need to be an competent off piste skier (see: ski ability levels 2-4), with some previous ski touring experience already under your belt in order to complete this tour.
Equipment We will supply you with a full kit list. You are responsible for bringing personal clothing, a rucsac and ski mountaineering skis, boots and kit (local hire is available). We are delighted to be working on this tour with Back Country UK, who provide excellent service and advice as a leading retailer of ski mountaineering equipment in the UK.
