| country: | France to Switzerland | trip type: | Off Piste Adventure |
| length: | 8 days (5 days on route) | ||
| destination(s): | Chamonix to Zermatt | ||
| why go? | Ski the most famous hut to hut tour in the world See spectacular high alpine scenery Ski Chamonix then traverse and ski into Zermatt Exciting descents reward challenging ski tour climbs Visit charming alpine huts |
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| included | 2 nights in a Chamonix B&B, one night in Zermatt B&B All hutt fees - including breakfast & dinner All Professional Mountain Guide fees and expenses Exluded: transfer & uplift costs (dependent on conditions - 160 euro on avg.), beverages, lunches, evening Zermatt meal, insurance, equipment, |
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| optional: | 2 day Ski Touring skills course recommended Assistance in arranging equipment hire - we send full equipment list at booking Additional night (Sat) in Chamonix - recommended International and domestic flights |
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| Price: | $1779 (subject to f/x rates at time of booking) | ||
Itinerary
| NOTE: | There are multiple variation of route. Below is based on Verbier variation (most popular). Chosen route will depend on weather, snow conditions and group preference. |
| day 1: | Arrive Chamonix meet guide and group. Finalise food and equipment. Stay overnight in Chamonix valley. |
| day 2: | Warm-up day at Chamonix ski area - options include Vallee Blanche or runs on the Grands Montets. Stay a second night in Chamonix. |
| day 3: | 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: | Start with one of the best descents of the trip which ends in the village of Champex (1,466m). A taxi is then taken to Le Chable where the group 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 nigh |
| day 5: | Possibly the easiest day, although still with 450m of ascent. You 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 spectacular day! It starts with 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 arrive and stay overnight in Zermatt. 8 hours. 900m ascent; 2400m descent! |
| day 8: | From Zermatt the group transfer back to Chamonix by train or taxi. It is recommended you plan your departure with an extra day, as weather can sometimes create delays. |
| dates : | 12 March to 19 March (Sat -Sat) 2011 19 March to 26March 2011 26 March to 2 April 2011 2 April to 9 April 2011 9 April to 16 April 2011 16 April to 23 April 2011 23 April to 30 April 2011 30 April to 7 May 2011 |
| accommodation: | Everyone is expected to ski at all times with the essential avalanche safety equipment; transceiver, shovel and probe. Some sets are available for hire through the guide or can be rented in Chamonix. Alpine touring equipment is recommended as much of the best off-piste runs can only be accessed after some climbing/walking. See our ski touring equipment list for a comprehensive list that will also be sent to you after booking. |
| guides: | This course is for strong all-round skiers with plenty of off-piste/advanced terrain experience (5 weeks plus). To join courses at this level you must be able to cope with most conditions confidently, competently and with minimum fuss. You are willing to try it all: steeps, breakable crud, speed, ice, spring snow and of course, deep powder! You should be in good physical fitness, enjoy full days on the hill. You will mostly use the lift systems, but you can expect some walking/climbing to access certain runs. |
| guide ratio: | 1 to 4 max (average 1 to 3) |
| group size : | Minimum group size is 4. Maximum is 10 with 2 guides |
| skill/stamina level : | 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. Excelletn physical fitness is very important. Advanced off-piste skiing ability in all conditions is essential. For advanced off-piste skiers with no/limited ski touring experience we can arrange 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. |
| conditions : | $500 deposit required within 10 days of booking Balance due 2 months before trip Within 2 months, cancellations are non-refundable |
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Haute Route
Ski the most famous backcountry ski tour in the Alps. Traverse spectacular high alpine terrain in this 5 day hut to hut tour connecting the best known alpine centers of Chamonix and Zermatt. Enjoy challenging climbs, fun descents, charming huts along with million dollar views.