Haute Route Backcountry Skiing: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

For any avid winter adventurer, the Haute Route is likely at the top of their bucket list. Along with the traditional route, which takes 6 to 7 days and passes over thee Col du Chardonnet, Grand Combin, Glacier du Mont Burand en route to the Matterhorn, before descending into Zermatt.

Other variations of the route exist as well. The Verbier variation is the most frequently done one and involves the most skiing – and the least mountaineering – It diverges from the classic route at Grand Combin. Instead of climbing, the route descends toward Rosablanche and passes over Pigne d’Arolla en route to Zermatt.

The Grande Lui and Reverse Haute Route are to w other variations. The Grande Lui is the longest and toughest of the three variations from Chamonix. Meanwhile, the reverse Haute Route follows a slightly different path, starting from Zermatt and passing through the Aosta Valley before reaching Chamonix.

Stunning scenery

The Haute Route arguably passes through one of the most scenic sections of the Alps. Breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn dominate either end of the trip. In between are even more incredible views of alpine valleys, glaciated mountain peaks and thick forests.

Climb mighty Mont Blanc

Many adventurous ski tourers opt to start off their Haute Route adventure by summiting Mont Blanc. At 4,808 meters, the peak is the highest in the Alps and Western Europe. From its summit, plenty of great views of the surroundings are available. Get a sneak peak at the rest of the Haute Route from the top before skiing down and starting the adventure.

It’s a classic

The first successful ski touring traverse of the Haute Route took place back in 1911. Since then millions of avid ski tourers have followed in their ski tracks. The original one requires some mountaineering gear during the winter and makes for quite the adventure. Other routes are a bit lower in elevation and do not require mountaineering skills.

During the winter, average daily temperatures on the Haute Route hover around -5 ºC, but may feel colder due to wind chill. Winter is also the driest time of year, but the mountains still receive plenty of snowfall, with an average of 80 to 93 millimeters of precipitation falling each month.

Most trips on the Haute Route begin in Chamonix. The best way to get here is to fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA) and make the one hour drive in a rental car or the two hour bus ride to Chamonix. At the end of the trip, once you get to Zermatt, you can either take a transfer back to Chamonix, or take a transfer or train to Geneva.

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The best time to ski the Haute Route is between mid March and mid May. Huts are open and with staff during that period of time. You’re more likely to get powder snow during March and the beginning of April. Whereas from mid April onwards you have a higher chance of getting Spring snow.

Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route requires some previous ski touring experiences and good confidence in off-piste skiing.

About your fitness, you should consider that the Haute Route is a demanding adventure, with six days of effort: a good workout in the months leading up to the trip is recommended so that you can experience the adventure to the fullest and not get too fatigued.

The Haute Route is a technical and demanding ski touring trip. You need to be a confident on-piste skier, with a good ski touring experience.

Keep in mind that the terrain is quite technical in several sections: some of the slopes are steep, the snow conditions are always different, there might be moguls, there are crevasses, and rocks along the way.

It will depend on the exact itinerary for the day. But to have a close idea, you can expect to climb up 4 to 5 hours and ski around 3 hours every day.

Training is possible (and fun!) even if you don’t live in a mountainous area, you just need to use your imagination to work out the key parts of your body for ski touring: your core, hips, back, legs and ankles. It’s important to improve your endurance and train your strength. From climbing stairs, to using ankle weights (to strengthen your hip muscle), the possibilities are countless.

For a successful ski touring adventure, having the right gear is essential. A comfortable 35L backpack with attachments for skis and an ice axe is recommended. Required ski touring equipment includes skis with ski touring bindings, ski boots, skins, ski knives, and poles with large discs, as well as lightweight crampons and an ice axe. Safety is a priority, and a pack containing a harness, avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe is required. Depending on conditions, an avalanche airbag might also be recommended.

Some guides will provide or offer these avalanche gear items for rent, or will recommend nearby rentals in Chamonix.

Dressing appropriately for the conditions is also crucial. A waterproof/breathable jacket with a hood, along with matching pants, ensures protection from the elements, and both can be rented. Warm layers such as a thick fleece, a lightweight down jacket, and a long-sleeve shirt provide insulation. Thermal underwear serves both as an extra layer and as sleepwear. Additional essentials include warm ski socks, a ski hat, a sun hat, gloves or mittens, thinner gloves for dexterity, a neck protector, and spare thermal underwear for changing and sleeping.

Proper accessories enhance both comfort and safety. High-altitude sunglasses (grade 4 recommended) and ski goggles protect against glare. Hydration is important, so a 1.5L water bottle and an insulated bottle should be carried. A small toiletry kit should include sunblock, aspirin, blister care, earplugs, and toilet paper. A headlamp with spare batteries is necessary for visibility. When staying in mountain huts, a cotton or silk sleeping sheet is required, as blankets and slippers are provided. Lastly, carrying a sealed bag with identification and Euros for any additional expenses is recommended.

Yes, there are several special requirements that you need to consider for this trip. Here are some of them:

The tour cost will vary depending on the itinerary, trip length, and what's included in the price. You can check the trips listed above to see the price details and what's included for each of them. Mountain guide expenses, breakfast and dinner, transport during the trip, lift tickets, accommodation, and guiding fee are usually but not always included in the package.

As regards accommodation, the trips usually include overnights in huts with half board formula. Some of the huts are: Argèntiere Hut Cabane de Prafleuri, Cabane des Dix and Cabane des Vignettes, and 1 overnight in an hotel in Champex or Verbier with half board formula.

Most guides will take up to 6 skiers for the Haute Route. If conditions are particularly challenging, or the the skiers skill and experience level is not optimal, they might limit the group size to 4 skiers.

On most itineraries, you will meet your guide in Chamonix the day before the start of the trip. Chamonix accommodation for this first night is usually not included in the tour. During the ski tour from Chamonix to Zermatt the accommodation is arranged at mountain huts with half-board, which are booked and managed by the guide or tour organizer. Once the group reaches Zermatt at the end of the trip, a group taxi or minibus transfer can be arranged to get back to Chamonix, or participants can take a transfer or train to Geneva.