Many interesting and varied options exist including the Classic, Verbier and Grand Lui variations. The chosen route will depend on the weather and snow conditions, the recommendations of the guides and the preferences of the group.

The Classic itinerary follows the route that was originally pioneered by the early ski mountaineers at the start of the 20th Century. This route includes the ascent of the Plateau du Couloir, a steep and intimidating slope that is only suitable for experienced ski mountaineers who are comfortable on steep snow. This is a higher altitude route with more glacial terrain. It requires good snow and stable weather and to ensure our groups safety on the steeper ground this route is guided on a maximum ratio of 1:3.

For most groups we follow the Verbier variation which is the most popular version of the Haute Route and offers a few more options if the group encounters poor weather. The Verbier option is guided on a maximum 1:6 ratio.

The itinerary below is the Verbier variation:

Day 1
Arrive in Chamonix and meet the guide to discuss the week's plan, check and sort food and equipment. Stay overnight in the valley.

Day 2
Warm-up day around the Chamonix ski area - options include a descent of the Vallee Blanche or lots of routes on the Grands Montets. We return to Chamonix to stay a second night.

Day 3
Early start to take the first lift up the Grands Montets and ski down the Argentiere Glacier. Long skin up to the Col du Chardonnet and across the Trient plateau into Switzerland and a night in the charming Trient hut.

Day 4
We start with one of the best descents of the trip - initially down the Trient Glacier before turning down the wild and remote Val d'Arpette which ends in the village of Champex (1,466m). A taxi is then taken to Le Chable where it is possible to re-supply with food. From Le Chable we take the Verbier lift system to the Mont Fort Refuge. From here, two cols are crossed before lovely descent to the Prafleuri refuge (2,624m) where we spend the night.

Day 5
Possibly the easiest day, although still with 450m of ascent. We spend most of this day traversing the west side of the Lac des Dix. The last rise up to the Dix refuge (2928m) is steeper.

Day 6
A very spectacular day. Beginning from the Dix refuge there is a long skin (4 hours) up to the Pignes d'Arolla (3,790m) which is the highest point on the Haute Route. From the Pigne d'Arolla, a good ski descent leads us to the Vignettes refuge (3,160m).

Day 7
There are few days in alpine ski mountaineering to match this one. You have to cover 30km, cross three cols and seven glaciers and climb 1100 metres: a fitting finale to the Classic Haute Route. You stay overnight in Zermatt. 8 hours. 900m ascent; 2400m descent.

Day 8
From Zermatt we transfer back to Chamonix by train or taxi. Overnight in back in the hotel in Chamonix.

Day 9
Depart after brekfast.

Private group tours are available from mid-March to mid-May on request.

2-day ski touring skills course immediately preceding the Haute Route trips costs £160 for course fees only.

Price
The price shown is for the route via Verbier.
Contact our office for prices for the Classic or the Grand Lui variations.
The Haute Route price includes: all guiding fees and expenses, 2 nights B&B in Chamonix at the start of the trip, one night B&B in Zermatt, all hut fees on HB basis
The price does not include: evening meal in Zermatt, lunches, beverages, personal insurance, hire of ski equipment, travel to and from Chamonix, transfers, uplift costs, night in Chamonix on day 8 or any luggage/kit transfers to Zermatt.

We exclude the cost for any transfers because our use of these is dependent on weather and snow conditions. There is usually a taxi transfer on day 4 and we transfer by road back to Chamonix at the end of the week. Based on previous trips the cost of transfers and uplift for this week will be approximately €160 per person.

We do not transport your luggage to Zermatt for the end of the trip, this can be arranged if requested and works well if the whole group would like it; otherwise it tends to be expensive on an indervidual basis.

We recommend that you book your return journey home for Sunday in case of bad weather delays on the ski tour. Please note that the cost of accommodation for the extra (Saturday) night is not included in the price.

Group Sizes
Minimum group size is 4. Maximum group size is 12 with 2 guides.

Accommodation and meals
In the Chamonix valley and Zermatt you will stay in a comfortable 2* standard hostel. In between you stay in alpine huts run by the French and Swiss Alpine Clubs. These are operated as basic hotels and are comfortable and warm. Facilities are limited most do not have running water or hot water or showers. Food is plentiful. Limited menu options for vegetarians.

More Skill & Stamina Information
The Haute Route is a challenging ski tour and only suitable for those who have previously completed at least 1 previous multi-day ski tour.
Advanced off-piste skiing ability in all conditions is essential.
For advanced off-piste skiers with limited ski touring experience we offer a 2-day ski touring skills course immediately preceding the scheduled Haute Route trips. This course will provide you with the essential technical ski touring & ski mountaineering skills which we consider a pre-requisite for undertaking the Haute Route.

2-day Ski Touring Skills Refresher
Although the Haute Route is really only suitable for experienced ski tourers, we recognise that it is also feasible for strong off-piste skiers with excellent fitness to undertake the tour even if they have not previously completed a multi-day tour. For this group we offer a 2-day ski touring skills course immediately preceding the Haute Route itself. This course will cover the technical skills needed during the tour including skinning, use of axe and crampons, recognising avalanche terrain, route planning and navigation, crevasse rescue and emergency procedures.
Alternatively you may want to join us on one of our Ski Touring Skills weekends which we run early in the season. For details click on  Ski Touring Skills Weekends

Chamonix and Zermatt
The traverse starts in Chamonix/Argentiere and finishes in Zermatt. These famous towns are lively, bustling places, full of excellent restaurants, outdoor shops and attractions. Chamonix is the centre for alpinism in France, and Zermatt the centre of all the early mountain exploration in Switzerland. Both attract many mountaineers, skiers and walkers throughout the year and are fitting start and finish points for the tour.

Equipment
A copy of our  recommended kit list will be sent to you at the time of booking.
Ski touring skis, boots, bindings, skins and ski crampons are essential for this tour. Confused about what skis, boots and binding combination to bring with you, then read our Ski Equipment page to find out more.
You will also need boot crampons, ice axe and a harness for this trip.
All skiers will need to carry a pack (max 30 - 40 litres) with safety gear, a minimal change of clothes and personal items.
Everyone is expected to ski at all times with the three essential items of avalanche safety equipment: transceiver, shovel and probe. If you ski off-piste regularly we recommend you purchase your own set and we have a special offer on BCA’s excellent DTS Tracker.

Equipment Hire
If you need to hire touring equipment, we recommend Namaste Sports in Argentiere. They are centrally located at 140 Route du Village. Tel: + 33 (0)4 50 54 03 96. Email: rob@namastesport.com. You should contact them in advance to reserve gear.

What our clients say about the Haute Route Ski Tour
"Just back from a fabulous trip and I I wanted to say a big thank you for sorting it all out for us.  The guides Tomaz and Mattieuz were both first class and couldn’t be faulted"
"Brilliant! I had all the information I needed before the start and your communications were very clear. Dylan has been a great communicator from the start of the trip, almost every decision he made he tried to expplain and rarely missed an opportunity to share any other relevant skimountaineering knowledge. He was both very sociable and fun to hang out with as well as firm with the team in order to keep people focussed and on time. Furthermore I think we were lucky with the weather and the group was similar enough in fitness and standard to keep it fun and challenging for all. The whole thing was epic and above expectations."

Recommended Maps
French IGN 1:25,000 Chamonix.
Swiss 1:50,000 Martigny 282 (S), Arolla 283 (S) and Mischabel 284 (S).
Note: ‘S’ indicates that ski routes are shown.

Recommended Reading
The Haute Route, Chamonix-Zermatt by Peter Cliff ISBN 1871890217

Watch the video
Haute Route 2007

Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured for ski touring covering personal accident, rescue and third party risks. You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.
If you are looking to purchase insurance for your trip we recommend SNOWCARD. They specialise in travel insurance for adventure sports particularly skiing and snowboarding. Their rates for both single trip and annual policies are very competitive.

For details on their policies and to get a quote CLICK HERE or contact our office for further details.