Historic Haute Route
Chamonix Mont Blanc guides the ski touring specialist is the only guides company to do the Historic Haute Route ski tour between Chamonix and Zermatt, an exceptionnel ski trip designed for expert. During 7 days you will ski in mountain, crossing valley and high passes and the historical passe of the Grand St Bernard with the 1000 years old Hospice! Join us on this ski journey.
The historical haute route linking Chamonix to Zermatt will allow you to discover a unique itinerary without any motorized connection, but with 7 days of skiing tackling the most beautifful passes such as the Grand St Bernard and the most alpine passages via Valsorey hut at the foot of the Grand Combin. For ski touring enthusiasts, this is one of the most beautifull and spectacular ski tour in the Alps and a great challenge, between the two capitals of Alpinism, Chamonix and Zermatt.
Your high mountain guide:
Alpinism state qualified
English and French speaking
Please use the tabs above to read about the day by day itinerary, and other useful information.
Included/Exclude
- Half board (dinner and breakfast)
- Packed lunches
- Accommodation
- Mountain Guide fees
- Lift Passes
- Insurance
- No luggage transportation.
- Tickets
Haute Route Chamonix Zermatt Tour Plan
Haute Route day by day itinerary:
Day 0:
Telephone appointement with your guide for a program briefing, plus gear check, and confirm meeting time in the evening of Day 0, around 6h30 pm.***
The guide will bring you the gear, if you have requested from us.
Day 1: Les Grands Montets - Col du Chardonnet - Saleina refuge
From Bochar cable car we skin up to the col des Rachasse and ski down to the Argentière Glacier at the bottom of the famous north face of Les Droites, Les Courtes, and Aiguille Verte. We put our skins on again and climb to the Col du Chardonnet 3323 m between France and Switzerland. Descent onto the Saleina glacier via a snow gully which will require the use of a fixe rope and our crampons. A short ascent will lead us to Saleina hut for a good rest and bier.
Schedule : 5 to 7 hours
Elevation difference: +1270 and - 1672 m
Day 2: Saleina hut - La Fouly
Climb to the Saleina pass (3261 m) crossing on the side to reach the borttom of the gully leading to the pass. From the latter, we will cross the eastern slope to reach the summit of La Grande Lui 3508 m. Superbe descent of the entire glacier to the tiny village of La Fouly where will sleep in a little hotel. This will be the lowest point of our ski trip. This part of the Mont Blanc range is less frequented than the French side and we will enjoy the tranquility of this day.
Elevation: +650 m and - 1900 m
Day 3: La Fouly - Col du Grand St Bernard
A day of transition that will take us out briefly of the high mountains! Earely start to follow the long val Ferret up to the "Fenêtre d'en Haut" and ski down the Italian side for a short run. We put skins on again to cross the wide col du Grand St Bernard and reach the famous Hospice du Grand St Bernard at 2469 m. Possibility to climb the Pointe de Drône at 2949 m before getting to the Hospice.
Schedule: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation difference: + 1250 m and - 300 m
Day 4: Grand St Bernard - Valsorey hut
Morning ski down to the Super Saint Bernard old ski resort nowaday closed, then we will climb the fearly steep slopes to reach the Proz pass at 2779 m and after the Passage de Montorge at 2881 m. From there ski down the Valsorey side to get to the bottom of the Valsorey hut at the "Grands Plans". A last ascent will bring us to the tiny Valsorey hut at the bottom of the south face of the Grand Combin and facing the Mont Vélan. This is a spectacular scenery and a beautifull ski touring day.
Schedule: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation difference: + 1800 m and - 550 m
Day 5: Valsorey hut - Chanrion Hut
One of the most beautiful and technical stages of the raid and the most alpine too.
Departure around 5:00 a.m. to cross the fairly steep passage which leads to the plateau of the corridor, then to the Sonadon pass at 3520 m.
These two passages will require carrying skis as well as the use of crampons and a rope on slopes of approximately 40°.
From the top of the Grand Corridor plateau, we will cross over the Sonadon pass and descend via the Mont Durand glacier to the Chanrion cabin.
Schedule: 4 to 5 hours.
Elevation difference: + 800 m and - 1300 m.
Day 6: Chanrion hut - Bertol Refuge
It's a long alpine skiing day today as we go up the long Otemma glacier to the Petit Mont Collon pass (3292 m) then crossing over the Col de l'Evêque (3392 m), dominated by the Pointe de l'Evêque and the Pointe du Cardinal. The glacial immensity will be impressive, with the Otemma glacier stretching towards the south. Passage of the Col Collon and superb descent from the Arolla glacier to the Plan de Bertol (2615m). 800 m climb to the Bertol refuge (3311 m), perched on its rocky spur.
Another unique panorama in the Alps, since we will be facing the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn.
Schedule: 7 to 8 hours.
Elevation difference: + 1900 m and - 852 m.
Day 7: Bertol hut - Zermatt
This is the last day of this magnificent ski trip that will crown 6 days of intense emotions and indescribable pleasures. We cross the Mont Miné glacier to the small summit of Tête Blanche, before tipping over onto the incredible Stockji glacier. In front of us is the imposing and superb pyramid of the Matterhorn, but also that of the Dent d'Hérens and the Dent Blanche. Our arrival in Zermatt is like a consecration and an immense satisfaction. Return to Chamonix by taxi
Elevation gain: + 600 m for Tête Blanche.
Historic Haute Route Chamonix to Zermatt Technical Information
Technical level required for the historic Haute Route Ski Tour
Snow slopes of up to 40 degrees in varying snow conditions (deep powder, wind crusted, hard packed, etc).
You need to have previous strong ski touring experience, with multi day ski tour
Ropes and crampons will sometimes be necessary, and you may have to carry your skis on your back to traverse / climb certain sections.
Fitness level for the Haute Route Ski Tour
This ski tour is aimed at experienced skiers in excellent physical condition. You do 7 days of ski touring with an average of 1000 m of altitude difference per day.
Daily altitude ranges from 800 to 1900m with up to 8 hours walking. You should practise an endurance sport regularly.
We climb about 400m per hour, which is not difficult in itself, however it can be strenuous with backpacks and changing weather and snow conditions.
Changes to the program
The high mountain guide reserves the right to modify or interrupt the program at any time for safety reasons, technical or physical problems with one or several participants or due to bad weather and snow conditions.
Meeting point
The day before the course, at the end of afternoon at yourn hotel. Telephone appointment with your guide to review the program, equipment and confirm the appointment of day 1.
Access
By train (SNCF): Chamonix train station via Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains - Le Fayet.
By plane: Geneva airport by coach or shuttle.
There are regular airport shuttles between Geneva Airport and Chamonix.
Accommodation
3* hotel the night before, thereafter in catered alpine huts. Pillows and blankets are provided, but please bring a silk sleeping bag liner.
Meals
Half board in the huts (dinner and breakfast). You can buy lunch in the huts for the following days.
You should also bring your own additional snacks, e.g. energy bars, dried fruit and nuts (nothing heavy or squashable).
Gear
The gear list will be provided upon booking. If you wish to stay in Zermatt at the end of your ski trip we can try to bring your luggage in Zermatt depending on taxy availabilities. It will involve an extra cost.
To check all the dates, availability and prices, please revert to our main/parent website www.chamonixmontblancguides.com.
Sandrine and Pierre will be able to help you with the booking, all your questions and the payment details
https://www.chamonixmontblancguides.com/haute-route/haute-route-ski-tour-chamonix-zermatt