switzerland-haute-route-ski-touring

Guided groups

Ski touring

lvl. 5
Multi-day hike
Réf : E222
8 days from 2500 € Book / Enquire

Our trip

  • Cross over breathtaking glacier-covered mountain passes and climb to the top of such aesthetic peaks

  • Amazing scenaries on the highest summits of the alps

  • All cable-car and transfer during the trip included.

  • Experienced IFMGA mountaing guides for a truly unforgettable adventure!

Every backcountry skier places the most well-known and classic of all ski traverses, the original Haute Route from Mt. Blanc to the Matterhorn, on their bucket list. The ultimate multi-day ski tour in the Alps, with ascents (and descents of course!) of such legendary glacier-capped peaks as Pigne d'Arolla (3796 m). Enjoy extraordinary views of the most iconic summits of the range: Mt. Blanc, the Matterhorn...

Reservation

Departure Return Price including VAT Departure status*  
From 31 March 2024 to 07 April 2024 2500 € Confirmed from 3 reservations on Book / Enquire Book / Enquire
From 07 April 2024 to 14 April 2024 2500 € Confirmed from 3 reservations on Book / Enquire Book / Enquire
From 14 April 2024 to 21 April 2024 2500 € Confirmed from 3 reservations on Book / Enquire Book / Enquire
From 21 April 2024 to 28 April 2024 2500 € Confirmed from 3 reservations on Book / Enquire Book / Enquire
*The date of departure is subject to change at any time (as specified in chapter 6.1 of our general terms and condition of sale).
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Itinerary

Ski touring : alpine ski touring (or backcountry ski touring) combines the fun of downhill skiing with the rewarding effort of hiking. Whether on your first tour, skiing high-altitude peak, or skinning across a glacier, the excursions we organize provide everyone the chance to discover this strenuous yet exhilarating winter sport.
Level 5: An average of 6 to 8 hours of ski touring per day and/or 1000 to 1500 meters of vertical gain. For very good skiers in all snow conditions on difficult slopes with a frequent back-country and glacier skiing experience, skiing with a 8 to 12 kg backpack. Some technical passages on slopes sometimes exceeding 35 °.
Duration : 8 days
Luggage transfers : All your ski touring equipment and personal gears
Lodging : Mountain Hut
Guiding : IFMGA guide for 6 persons
Group : From 3 to 6 participants. The departure will be confirmed from 3 participants (The date of departure is subject to change at any time, as specified in chapter 6.1 of our general terms and condition of sale).

Day by day

Day 1

Arrival day in Chamonix Mont Blanc

Lodging : hotel. Transfer : 1.5 hrs.
Transfer from Geneva airport to Chamonix, the "french mountain capital". Check in your hotel.
Day 2

Chamonix - Argentière - Lognan - Argentière hut

Ascent : 850 m. Descent : 150 m. Skiing : 4 hrs..
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Meet your guide at 8.30 am at your hotel. There will be a chance for the guide to check out your clothing and gear. You can hire or buy any missing item in a Chamonix mountain store. 

For the 2022 season, due to the closure of the upper tram to the top of the Grands Montets, we have had to slightly modify our program for day 2: in the morning take a Chamonix bus up to Les grands Montets ski field. Take the Plan Joran gondola. From the top of the gondola enjoy the short groomed run to Lognan, where we will put skins on our skis and start the day's ascent to the Argentière Hut via the glacier. Your guide will review the week's program with you, the gear, as well as the basic winter skiing, orienteering, and safety techniques needed for the traverse.
Day 3

Col du Passon or Chardonnet pass - col des Ecandies pass - Champex

Ascent : 900 m. Descent : 2000 m. Skiing : 6 hrs.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
We have two options for Day 2, which marks our official entrance in to the high-mountain, glacier-covered terrain for the rest of the trip:

1/ Via Col du Chardonnet Pass (3323 m) and Fenêtre de Saleina Notch (3287 m)
This incredibly beautiful section of skiing crosses through a high-mountain cirque. The climb to Col du Chardonnet Pass figures among the classics in the Argentière Glacier basin. We will use the rope for the short but steep section down the other side of the pass to the Saleina Glacier in Switzerland. Put skins back on your skis for the short traverse of the upper glacier, and then climb to Fenêtre de Saleina Notch, most likely on foot. From there, enjoy the descending the vast Trient Glacier basin. On the right bank of the glacier, after a few hundred meters of skiing, cross over Col des Ecandies Pass for great skiing through Val d'Arpette.

2/ Via Col du Passon Pass (3028 m), Col du Tour Pass (3282 m)
Today's fantastic tour starts by climbing to Col du Passon Pass (3028 m) on foot via a steep couloir to the Tour Glacier. Enjoy a skinning across the vast upper Tour Glacier basin to Col du Tour Pass (3282 m) before crossing over into Switzerland to the Trient Glacier plateau. From there, ski to Col des Ecandies Pass (2796m) and then down Val d'Aprette (1637 m).

Please note: based on conditions, the guide will choose which of the two routes to ski.

Day 4

Col des Gentianes pass - Col de Momin pass - Prafleuri hut

Ascent : 850 m. Descent : 950 m. Skiing : 5 hrs.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Transfer by vehicle to Châble, located at the base of the Verbier ski area. From there, a series of lifts takes us to Col des Gentianes Pass. We will officially exit the ski area at Col de la Chaux Pass (2940 m). A short descent and then ascent to Col de Momin Pass leads to the "Grand Désert" Glacier. The group will have the option of climbing Rosablanche Peak (3336 m), one of the area's classic summits. Enjoy skiing down the Prafleuri Glacier on the day's final descent to the hut of the same name.
Day 5

Col des Roux pass - Dix hut

Ascent : 750 m. Descent : 450 m. Skiing : 5 hrs.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
The day starts by skinning to Col des Roux Pass, just above the hut. Enjoy a short descent to Lake Dix, and then traverse along the lake to Pas du Chat (2385 m). From there a gradual ascent leads to the Dix Hut (2928 m).
Day 6

Pigne d'Arolla - Vignettes hut

Ascent : 850 m. Descent : 700 m. Skiing : 6 hrs.
Lodging : mountain hut. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Spend most of the day on glacier-covered terrain, starting by skinning past the north side of Mont-Blanc de Cheillon on your way to Col de la Serpentine Pass. We plan to take full advantage of our spectacular location to climb Pigne d'Arolla (3796 m), whose summit offers breathtaking 360° views of most peaks in the Valais. Enjoy a fun descent to the Vignettes Hut, one of the most well-known huts in Switzerland.
Day 7

L'Eveque, Brulé, Valpelline passes - Schönbiel - Zermatt - Chamonix

Ascent : 1150 m. Descent : 2450 m. Skiing : 8 hrs.
Lodging : hotel. Included meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner.

This long and amazing day among some of the Alps' most spectacular glaciers starts with a climb to Col de l'Evêque Pass (3379 m), followed by Col du Mont Brûlé Pass, which finishes on foot. Ascend the Haut Tsa de Tsan Glacier to Col de Valpelline Pass, where the Matterhorn comes fully into view. Enjoy the long descent to Zermatt, skiing beneath the mighty north face of the Matterhorn. We will slowly but surely glide back into civilization: first a few chalets and small hamlets, a precursor of our final arrival in the resort-village of Zermatt. Transfer back to Chamonix for a farewell dinner and last night.

Please note: to ensure everyone's safety, this program serves only as an indication of your day-to-day tours, and may be modified by the guide based on the level of the group and the weather conditions. 

Day 8

Chamonix

Included meals : breakfast. Meals not included : lunch, dinner.
Transfer to Geneva Airport after breakfast.
Please request for any additional activity or excursion in Chamonix
If there is a clear and elevated risk, we reserve the right to: Reinforce our guide team (for guided trips), Modify the itinerary for our tours, Place a tour or destination on hiatus for an extended period of time when we consider the level of risk to be too high. Your safety and your enjoyment are our priority.

Pricing

Pricing

The price includes / does not include

The prices includes
- One professional IFMGA certified
- All guides expenses
- Accommodations as described: 5 nights in mountain huts, 2 nights in 3-star hotel
- All meals as described (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners).
- 1 bottle of water per 2 people for the dinner in moutain huts.
- snacks
- All lift tickets required.
- Public and private transfers as described

The prices does not include
- Dinner on day 1 in Chamonix.
- Bottled water in the mountain huts (6 to 12 CHF per 1,5 L).
- Drinks, tips, and personal expenses.
- Insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, lost/stolen baggage, or assistance.
- Everything not described as "included".

During your trip

Our team

One IFMGA english speaking guide

- Day 1: Geneva Airport - Chamonix
- Day 2: local Chamonix bus from your Hotel to Les Grands Montets
- Day 4: private shuttle from Val d'Arpette to Le Chable
- Day 7: private shuttlle back to Chamonix from Zermatt
- Day 8: Shuttle Chamonix - Geneva Airport

Lodging

- Twin / double room in a 3-star hotel in Chamonix.
- Dormitories in all mountain huts. These Swiss mountain huts do offer all services but are quit "basics": no shower, no drink-water, no double bedrooms.

Please note: there is no shower and no drinking water in the mountian huts. You will have to buy mineral water.

Meals

Our goal is to ensure that you eat well-balanced meals suited for the effort required each day, and to lighten your pack load as much as possible.
- Dinners (hot meals, very filling) and breakfasts are prepared by your accommodations.
- Farewell dinner in a restaurant in Chamonix
- 1 dinner in Chamonix is not included to allow you to choose your dining place as there are so many options in Chamonix.
- Lunches either prepared by your guide or bought at the accommodations

Luggage transfer

This is a hut to hut itinerary, there is no luggage transfer.

Currencies

Switzerland
Switerzland doesn't belong to Euro zone. The Swiss use their own currency, the Swiss Franc. The exchange rate is approximately 1 CHF = 1 EUR. Please check here for current rates.
Swiss shops and hotels may take euros (usually in bills only, and change in CHF), and usually offer an unfavorable exchange rate (for you). You are better off paying by credit/debit card or withdrawing cash from an ATM.
France
France and Italy are part of the Euro zone. You may find ATMs easily in the main cities and towns.
Better to have cash in the most remote areas to purchase extras (ex.: for drinks). Huts do not always accept credit cards.

 

Access

Access

The best way to get to Chamonix is Geneva international airport.
From Geneva, we can organise a shared transfer.

Required before leaving

Formalities

Switzerland
Please check with your embassy.

Health

Switzerland

Vaccinations

Required vaccinations

No vaccinations are required.

Recommended vaccinations

Please check to make sure that all your vaccinations are current: DPT, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.

Dentist and general physician

We recommend a checkup with both before leaving on your trip.

Getting ready

Physical fitness level 5

To take full advantage of your trip, make sure that you stay in good shape by walking or hiking multiple times per week (around 20km) on trails with considerable vertical gain (350m/hr) or by participating in a moderately intense athletic activity to build endurance.

Your first aid kit

For the medication and pain relievers listed below, we recommend that you check with your doctor beforehand, adding what you need based on personal requirements and the specificities of your trip.

  • An analgesic.
  • An anti-inflammatory (pills or gels).
  • An anti-diarrheal tablets
  • A disinfectant, band aids (several sizes), mole skin, sterile compresses, medical tape, Steri-Strips,

Gear list

Ski-touring equipment list

  • Thermal baselayers including long sleeves and leggings
  • Pairs of mountain socks
  • Ski-touring trousers
  • Fleece jackets
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Extra warm layer/ down jacket
  • Sunhat and warm hat
  • Sunglasses (category 4) and ski goggles
  • Thin gloves + warm gloves + mittens
  • Daypack about 40 litres
  • Head torch
  • Sun protection and lipstick
  • Water bottle 2 litters
  • Basic wash kit
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • First aid kit and own medicines
  • Earplugs

Technical equipment

  • Ski touring boots
  • Ski touring skis + skins and poles
  • Crampons
  • Helmet
  • Mountaineering harness
    We can rent you all these technical items (except skis and boots)

Note : keep in mind that the weight of your day pack shouldn't be over 12kg.

Safety

The Mont Blanc Experience promise

No region in the world is 100% safe and without danger.

Mont Blanc Experience keeps you informed and is fully transparent when it comes to the potential risks. We gather security risk information from multiple sources: in-house research, monitoring specialized websites, meetings with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "safety and security" trips in the field, constant contact with our regional specialists, local teams on the ground, and France's travel agency federation.

Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that we cannot make any decisions for you.

If there is a clear and elevated risk, we reserve the right to:

— Reinforce our guide team (for guided trips).
— Modify the itinerary for our tours.
— Place a tour or destination on hiatus for an extended period of time when we consider the level of risk to be too high.

Your safety and your enjoyment are our priority.