Haute Route Ski Traverse

Mountain Pro is excited to offer packages for the classic Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route, as well as other custom itineraries with some of the best American IFMGA/UIAGM guides. Tours will be offered in April 2011. Also, be sure to check out our Berner Oberland program for a worthy high alpine ski mountaineering experience.

2011 Dates: April 6-15 and April 17-26

Overview: Traverse the Western Alps starting in Chamonix, France in the heart of the Mont Blanc Range and travel on skis to the foot of the majestic Matterhorn of Zermatt, Switzerland.

This is a moderately strenuous tour in which you will need to climb uphill on skis with climbing skins, climb steep slopes with crampons on your ski boots and ski down moderately steep terrain.  A lot of the uphill techniques can be taught and picked up fairly easily by people with a good level of cardiovascular fitness.  The downhill skiing element can be coached and encouraged by your guide, but a reasonable level of innate ability is required.  It is recommended that you can comfortably ski any ‘Black Diamond’ ski run at larger western ski areas in almost any conditions. This Haute route program is open to strong intermediate skiers able to travel on skis for up to 8 hours per day. Unsure of your abilities? Sign up for a backcountry ski day stateside as Haute Route preparation.

Huts: The vast network of fully staffed and stocked huts throughout the Alps allows us to move with light ski touring backpacks and enjoy the skiing without having to think too hard about where your next meal will come from.  Unlike many North American destinations, huts on the Haute Route are fully staffed, adequately stocked, and service oriented.

the Mont Fort Hut of Verbier

Restaurant quality dinners and simple continental style breakfasts are prepared by the hut guardians, whom are often passionate skiers and guides themselves. Sleeping quarters are equipped with mattresses, pillows and blankets or down comforters to keep you warm through the night.  Drinks, snacks and souvenirs cost a little extra, but can be well worth the added expense.  The huts are open to everyone and generally offer mixed dormitory style accommodation with groups typically sharing a room with up to 12 people. Occasionally our guided groups have a private room, but this is certainly not the norm.

The col du Chardonnet; a large ascent on the first day of the traverse.

Basic Itinerary:

Mountain Pro will arrange lodging for all guests on the Haute Route beginning on Day 0.

*Many North American skiers arriving in the Alps find it very challenging to both conquer jet-lag as well as adjust to changes in diet and high altitude touring. It is recommended that guests arrive at minimum one night prior to Day 0 in order to rest and relax to best achieve optimal wellness while touring. An additional night of accommodation at the group chalet may be arranged.

Day 0: Meet in Chamonix for group dinner and itinerary review.

Day 1: Vallee Blanche Ski: From Chamonix, we will ski the renowned Vallee Blanche and the Mer de Glace glacier. Stretch your legs while familiarizing yourselves with the group and the breathtaking beauty of the Alps. This first day is an excellent way to finalize your equipment systems before we set off on the traverse. Last minute gear needs can be easily taken care of in Chamonix with a myriad of rental and purchase options.

Day 2: After breakfast in Chamonix we will transfer by bus or train to Argentiere and take the Grand Montet lift up to the Argentiere Glacier. The first day of the our Haute Route traverse crosses the technical Col du Chardonnet, then up and over the Fenetre de Seleina to our first hut destination; the Trient Hut. This is certainly one of the bigger days of the Chamonix to Zermatt traverse and is one of the most spectacular!

Day 3: Descend the Val d’Arpette, which offers cold and dry snow on it’s very shaded North facing terrain into the picturesque town of Champex. Before continuing on, we often stop at a bakery for a fresh pastry and a coffee. From here we will take a bus to Verbier and enjoy a muti-lift ascent (including a tram with a capacity of over 100 skiers per car) to the Mont Fort Hut.  The Mont Fort hut is an excellent place to enjoy a rich lunch and take in the breathtaking scenery of the Alps. Those with extra energy to spare will take advantage of the spectacular freeride terrain with your guide.

Day 4: From the Mont Fort, we will ascend to the col de la chaux and out of the Verbier ski area boundary. If conditions are favorable, we will continue up on to the summit of the Rosa Blanche before making a long ski descent to the Prafleuri Hut.

Day 5: We depart early from the Prafleuri Hut for a morning of largely a day of skins-off traversing along the shores of the Lac des Dix. A lot of terrain is covered on this morning, but the travel from hut to hut happens quickly and we often arrive at the Dix Hut around noon.

Day 6: From the Dix hut we will skin to the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla which (in good visibility) offers us our first real view of the many 4000m peaks that surround Zermatt, including the iconic Matterhorn. From here it is a pleasant descent down to the Vignettes Hut.

Day 7: A long day will take us through three spectacular passes and we will finish with a long run down in the shadow of the Matterhorn to Zermatt

Day 8: If you have not had enough skiing, the option exists on this final day of the trip to ski the off-piste terrain around Zermatt the Matterhorn before returning home. Otherwise,  this will be a non-guided travel day to your destination.

Skinning in the early morning light

Haute Route Package Price for 2011

- $2750 per skier

please see our Rates and Booking page for information about deposits and cancellation policies.

Our Services Include:

Professional Guiding and Instruction not to exceed 4 skiers to one guide with a total group size not to exceed 8 skiers with two guides.

2 nights accommodation in Chamonix at a chalet or hotel pre-arranged by Mountain Pro including breakfast. Specifics will be arranged as group sizes and travel arrangements begin to take shape.

1 night of hotel or chalet accommodation in Zermatt

6 nights lodging in huts along the ski traverse including breakfast and dinner.

ALL Lift/Tram tickets and bus transfers during the tour.

Guests will be responsible for:

Personal equipment and clothing including: transceiver, shovel and probe (Available for rent in Chamonix)

Appropriate Rescue Insurance (mandatory for all guests) we recommend membership with the American Alpine Club for use of their Global Rescue Service.

All beverages (in town and in huts)

Lunches for each day

Airfare and transfer to Chamonix

Travel from Zermatt

*This itinerary is subject to change based on the abilities and interests of the group and the weather and snowpack conditions of the tour.

Contact Us today to discuss your Haute Route experience for the 2011 season.