Alpine Guides

Ski Program

Important Info

Advice Articles

Bookings

Climbing Website

  
 
 
  alpine guides ski program ski ability levels choosing a trip availability contact us alpine guides blog  
 

Italian High Level Route Ski Tour

"The classic Italian Haute Route weaves its way along the Monta Rosa chain, taking in 4000m peaks along the way. Starting above Zermatt at the Breithorn, we aim to climb Castor, Il Naso, Signalkuppe and the Zumsteinspitze during the week. If time allows, we then continue north via the Adler Pass to access the Strahlhorn before finally returning to Zermatt. A great challenge for keen skiers and the highest hut tour in the Alps. "
  
6 days
Advanced
4:1
Dates: By Arrangement
Price: Private Guiding Rates
Ski Ability: 3+
Fitness: 3+
Experience: Previous multiday touring experience required, plus some roped climbing or cramponing experience. You also need some previous experience at altitude, in order to know how quickly you acclimatize to 4000m.
Included: Guiding Fees.
Other Costs: Hut nights, food, travel and uplift during the tour ~ £400
 
Summary
This is a classic high altitude ski tour that involves the ascent of several 4000m summits. Good levels of fitness are required, as well as the ability to acclimatise quickly. Stable weather and snow conditions are required to complete the route.
We offer this itinerary as a private guiding special - with dates by arrangement from mid March into May. Prices are as per our private guiding rates, up to a maximum of 4 skiers per guide.
 
Starting Point
The famous ski resort of Zermatt, which can be easily reached by train from all Swiss airports.
 
Sample Itinerary
Subject to weather and snow conditions, the plan for the week is as follows:-
italian high level route ski tour itinerary
Day 0 - Sat PM, meet in Zermatt - discuss plans, sort food and kit, overnight in valley.
Day 1 - Sun
Acclimatisation Day - off piste glacier skiing, then possibly a night at the Gornergrat Hotel at 3000m.
Day 2 - Mon
Take the cable car to Kleine Matterhorn followed by a steady climb up the Breithorn (4164m) and descent to the Ayas hut.
Day 3 - Tue
Climb Castor (4221m) before a good run down to the Quintino Sella hut.
Day 4 - Wed
Traverse the remote S flank of Liskamm (possibility to climb Il Naso 4150m, if time permits) en route to the Gnifetti Hut.
Day 5 - Thur
Monta Rosa day - Signalkuppe (4554m) and Zumsteinspitze (4563m), then a massive descent to the new Monta Rosa hut.
Day 6 - Fri
A long traverse to the Adler Pass to access the Strahlhorn (4190m), before finally descending back to Zermatt.
italian high level route ski tour
 
Food and Accommodation
This is tour is run on a private guiding basis, so food and accommodation (for yourself and the guide) must be paid for seperately as we go along. Zermatt has a wide selection of good accommodation and we'll provide a range of recommendations with your joining instructions. The guide will book all hut nights during the tour.
 
Travel
Our meeting point in Zermatt is easily reached by train from anywhere in Switzerland - check out the Swiss Federal Railways website for timetables and information. If you are arriving by train, then you may be able to save some money on this tour by purchasing a swiss travel pass (various options are available - click on the English version of the website). Zermatt is a car free resort, so if you plan to drive then you will have to leave you car in Tasch and take the train up.
 
Ability and Experience
You need to be a good off piste skier (see ski ability level 3+) with previous multiday touring experience to complete this tour. It is a demanding week with three 8-10 hour days and some roped climbing, so you can expect to be skinning for 4-6 hours a day (see fitness level 3+).
 
Acclimatisation
Due to the high altitude of the route, arriving a couple of days in advance to acclimatise is strongly recommended - Zermatt has plenty of high altitude glacier skiing at this time of year. We advise you to prepare well in advance with regular training and ideally some skiing.
 
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 Backcountry UK, who provide excellent service and advice as a leading retailer of ski mountaineering equipment in the UK.
 
     
 
 
 
         
  © 2010 Alpine Guides Ltd Site Map Contact