Join one of the E-S Adventure Guides Italy on a unique 6-day splitboarding tour along the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route, which crosses the Alps from France to Switzerland.
Alps
6 Days
Mar - May
High
Intermediate
If you are an experienced splitboarder, this trip is a must for you!
The Haute Route (High Route) is one of the most famous and most scenic ski tours in the world. It runs from Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland, across the center of both the French and Swiss Alps. It begins in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif (4,808m) and ends at the base of the legendary Matterhorn peak (4,478m).
Our trip’s meeting point will be Courmayeur (1,224m), a town in the Aosta Valley, in Italy. We will then travel to our voyage’s starting point, the beautiful mountain village of Argentière (1,252m), within the commune of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, in the southeast of France.
During our 6-day journey, we will traverse long distances at high elevations, across massive glaciers and snow-topped rocky peaks, such as the Rosa Blanche (3,336m) and the Pigne d’Arolla (3,796m). Every day, we will perform long climbs followed by stunning descents with breathtaking views to some of the most iconic mountains in the Alps: Mont Blanc (4,808m), Monte Rosa (4,634m), Matterhorn (4,478m), Grand Combin (4,314m), and Dent d’Herens (4,174m), among others. Along the way, we will spend the 5 nights in different mountain huts so as to stay at high altitudes. Our final descent will leave us in Zermatt (1,608m), an alpine village lying beneath the Matterhorn’s east face, in the Swiss German-speaking canton of the Valais.
This is a challenging, long high-altitude adventure. Participants need to be in good shape and have previous splitboarding experience. While optimal snow and weather conditions are vital, the route requires technical skills and a lot of effort to be completed.
Below you will find the tour’s detailed itinerary, with estimated ascent times and cumulative elevation gain per day.
Don’t miss this iconic trip in the heart of the Alps! Send me your booking request now.
In case you are interested, I also offer a ski touring version of this program. If you are looking for other splitboarding outings in the area, I recommend the Tour des Periades (Chamonix) 1-day alpine program and the Grand Saint Bernard pass 3-day trip.
We will meet in the town of Courmayeur, in the Italian Aosta Valley, where we will go over the equipment and the itinerary. We will travel to the village of Argentière, in Chamonix, from where we will take a cable car to the Col des Grands Montets pass (1,461m). We will then begin a steep descent on the Rognons Glacier to the massive Argentière Glacier (2,168m). Overnight at the Argentière Hut (2,691m).
Ascent time: 3 hours
Cumulative elevation gain: 200m
We will begin the day riding down the Argentière Glacier. We will then skin up to a 200-meter gully, which we will climb with ropes and crampons up to the Col du Passon pass (3,028m) and on to the Le Tour Glacier (2,150m). We will traverse towards the Col Superieur du Tour (3,288m), arriving at the Trient Plateau on the Trient Glacier, which we will descend up to a point below the Col des Ecadies. We will ride down the Val d’Arpette valley up to a mountain hut in Champex-Lac, where we will spend our second night.
Ascent time: 6-8 hours
Cumulative elevation gain: 1,000m
A transfer will take us from Champex to Le Châble village, from where we will take a lift up to the Verbier ski area, followed by two more lifts to the Col des Gentianes pass (2,906m). After a 200-meter descent, we will skin to the Col de La Chaux (2,940m). After another descent, we will climb to the Col du Momin (3,005m), up to the Rosa Blanche peak (3,336m). Soon after, we will begin a descent to the Cabane de Prafleuri hut (2,657m), where we will spend the night.
Ascent time: 6 hours
Cumulative elevation gain: 800m
We will traverse to the Col des Roux (2,804m) and then begin a long descent above the reservoir of the Grande Dixence Dam (285m). At the end of the lake, we will ascend the Pas du Chat, up to the Cabane des Dix (2,928m), where we will spend the night.
Ascent time: 7-8 hours
Cumulative elevation gain: 800m
We will start the day with an ascent on the Cheillon Glacier up to the Col du Brenay pass, heading to the Pigne d’Arolla (3,796m). A long descent on glacier will take us to the Cabane des Vignettes refuge (3,160m), where we will spend the last night.
Ascent time: 6-7 hours
Cumulative elevation gain: 850m
We will ride down to the Col de Charmontane. From the Arolla Glacier, we will ascend the Col de l’Eveque (3,716m), followed by the Col du Mont Brulé. A descent will drive us to the Tsan Glacier, and the following ascent will take us to the Col de Valpelline. From this point, we will be able to enjoy a beautiful view of the Dent d’Herens mountain (4,174m) and the Matterhorn’s west face (4,478m). Finally, we will begin the descent to Zermatt, with a 2,500-meter vertical drop, down the Stockji Glacier, below the Matterhorn’s north face.
Ascent time: 8-10 hours
Cumulative elevation gain: 1,000m
More info
Estimated costs for your reference:
• Half-board accommodation in mountain huts per person: Argentière Hut (€48-63), Prarayer Hut (€48-60), Cabane de Prafleuri (CHF 70), Cabane des Dix (CHF 82), Cabane des Vignettes (CHF 80). • Equipment rental (harness, ice axe, crampons and helmet): €15 per person • Taxi service to Le Châble: CHF 120 (divided among all participants) • Research and rescue insurance with IFMGA coverage (recommended): €12 per person for 7 days
Meeting point
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain?
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.
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
In the months leading up to the trip, we recommend consistent training to improve your endurance and your cardiovascular fitness. When you confirm the trip, we will send you specific recommendations about the training.
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
Yes, you need to bring the technical equipment required for this trip: avalanche beacon, shovel and probe, harness, ice axes and crampons. We can rent all this for about 50€ per day. Alternatively we can recommend nearby rentals, even if you need to rent skis, ski touring equipment, ski mountaineering boots and the rest of the clothing.
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
Absolutely no porters are expected for this ascent. Each participant should bring the personal backpack and technical equipment, including thermos for tea/water and energy bars/dried fruit and energy food for the trip.
How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?
We will take care of the accommodation booking that includes:
So, breakfast and dinner will be included in the rate and booked by us, while all other meals and drinks are excluded.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
Please consider that weather and conditions can change unexpectedly and, especially in recent years due to climate change, there are not always the best conditions for a safe ascent. In such cases, because your and our safety is our priority, we will propose an alternative trip to nearby mountains with better conditions. Note that you are booking our availability for the duration of the tour, this means that it will not be possible to cancel due to poor conditions. We will be careful to arrange an experience that lives up to your expectations. We understand that this may be a frustrating outcome, however, safety is a top priority, and every mountain has a lesson to teach.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that we need to consider before the tour?
Yes, there are several special requirements that you need to consider for this trip. Here are some of them:
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
The maximum number of clients per single Guide is six, thus giving a ratio of 1:6. This is the maximum number in order to ensure your safety and that of the Guide. If you are a group of more than six people, we have more guides available to undertake the adventure.
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
The best time to realize this adventure is in March and April.
Can I join a group?
Yes, you can choose to book a private tour or decide to join a group, to reduce the costs.
We have already confirmed and planned group trips, departing in 2023, on the following dates:
Before confirm a group tour, please remember that you will share the ascent with other skiers, that could have different fit and previous experience than you: the Guide will be responsible for the entire team and he has to respect the daily timetable. The decision to share a trip with others to reduce the total costs requires to accept to be part of a team, in which adaptation and capacity for mutual support are essential requirements for all participants.
If you evaluate your fit level, skiing level or previous experience in off-piste and your ski touring technical skills too low or inadequate to the abilities and efforts that this demanding tour requires, you probably should take the PRIVATE tour, as the best option for you.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
4.9
(53)
Mountain Guide
Tomas and his team of IFMGA/UIMLA-certified mountain guides & leaders and rock climbing instructors (Anna, Andrea, Elis, Enrico, Ivan, Julia, Lucia, Marika, and Oreste) are some of the top outdoor adventure professionals in Italy.
Whether you wish to climb the Gran Paradiso or go on an exciting via ferrata in the Dolomites, among other amazing options, they will be able to show you the top spots and the ropes to ensure you have an unforgettable and safe adventure.
Tomas will be your main point of contact during the booking process and will be able to help you with all the questions you have in order to make sure you receive the best possible guiding service.
Pick one of the programs featured for E-S Adventure Guides Italy and start planning an awe-inspiring experience in the mountains!
Languages
Italian | English
Certificates
UIMLA | UIAGM | IFMGA
Steffen
Edoardo Borello made the tour to an unforgettable beautiful event for every participant. He always acted very experienced, prudent and with great respect for the nature. It was also a pleasure for me as german to join such a warm and cheerful italian group
Thomas
Alex
Jeremy
Perfect experience with a wonderful guide
Magda
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