Haute Route, 7-day ski touring from Chamonix to Zermatt

Upon arrival in Geneva, participants arrange their own airport transfer and first night’s stay. We’ll provide useful details on logistics, transportation options, and accommodations. In the evening, we gather for a briefing at the Le Dahu guesthouse, which we recommend for the first night. During this session, the guides will go over the itinerary, check equipment, and distribute glacier gear.

We meet in the morning around 8:30 AM to begin our adventure in the village of Argentière. A cable car ride (tickets purchased individually) takes us up to 2,800 meters, where we descend 100 meters before switching to walk mode. From there, we ascend to a 3,000-meter pass separating the Lognan and Rognons glaciers, just beneath the iconic Grands Montets. A stunning 400-meter descent leads us directly onto the Glacier d’Argentière. After an additional hour of steady climbing on gentle terrain, we arrive at the Albert Premier Hut, where we spend the night in a shared dormitory.

This is the most challenging day of the route, covering 20 kilometers with a total of 1,250 meters of ascent and an intense 2,500-meter descent over 8–9 hours. We start at 6:00 AM with a descent to the lower section of the Argentière Glacier, then begin a 600-meter climb to our first major technical challenge—Col du Passon (3,028 m). The upper part of the couloir is exposed, requiring the use of crampons and ice axes.

From there, a 20-minute descent brings us to the Glacier du Tour, followed by a gradual ascent to the Fenêtre de Saleina pass (3,267 m). A thrilling 500-meter descent follows, with the final section weaving past numerous crevasses. The last ascent of the day takes us to Col des Ecandies (2,796 m), an exciting but demanding climb. Here, we attach our skis to our backpacks, put on crampons, and use ice axes, securing ourselves with a handrail as we navigate exposed terrain where snow coverage can be scarce. The reward? Stunning views and a spectacular 1,300-meter descent to finish the day.

Afterward, we take a cab to Orsières, where we stay the night in a hotel with twin or triple rooms and private bathrooms. Dinner is at a local restaurant (not included in the price).

Another demanding day, this time with a continuous ascent and no descents. Our guide will navigate through the Tseudet and Valsorey glacier valleys, leading us on a steady 1,200-meter climb over 5–6 hours. The goal for the day is to reach the Valsorey Hut, a Swiss Alpine Club refuge perched at 3,030 meters.

Located south of Bourg-Saint-Pierre in the canton of Valais, the hut rests on the southwestern slopes of the Grand Combin in the Pennine Alps, directly facing Mont Vélan. While it offers the most basic and rugged accommodations of our journey, the breathtaking views more than compensate for the simplicity. We spend the night in a shared dormitory, with an outdoor toilet. Despite the modest setup, the food is excellent.

Get ready for a spectacular yet demanding day—one that many consider the defining stage of the Haute Route. Why? Because it encapsulates every element of true mountaineering. Today, we traverse the Grand Combin massif and summit peaks straddling the Italy-Switzerland border, including Mont Avril and Tête Blanche. The journey involves 6–8 hours on the move, with 1,000 meters of ascent and a thrilling 1,600-meter descent.

We begin by skinning up to Plateau du Couloir (3,664 m), then continue across Col Sonadon before tackling an unforgettable descent straight to the Chanrion Hut—challenging in places but absolutely worth it. This will be our home for the night, and it's undoubtedly the most comfortable hut on the entire route. Expect cozy rooms, a shower (available for €5), and outstanding food. You might just wish we were staying longer!

Another long and equally demanding day, offering breathtaking panoramas—especially from the summit of Pigne d’Arolla. The journey will take between 7 and 9 hours, covering 1,330 meters of ascent and 640 meters of descent.

We begin by traversing the moraine of the Glacier du Brenay, gradually making our way up to the seracs, where we’ll carry our skis on our backpacks for about 100 meters. From there, we continue across Col de la Serpentine (3,547 m) and up to Col du Brenay (3,635 m). While this stage doesn’t require advanced technical skills, it does put ski touring experience to the test.

After summiting Pigne d’Arolla, we enjoy a rewarding and enjoyable descent to the Vignettes Hut. This refuge is spacious but often busy. Like most huts along the route (except Chanrion), it has no electricity or running water, but it does offer excellent food. Accommodation is in shared dormitory-style rooms.

A spectacular finale to an unforgettable journey—this day is often the highlight of the entire Haute Route. We begin from the Vignettes Hut, initially retracing part of the previous day’s route before veering off after just 15 minutes toward the Glacier d’Arolla. Towering to our right stands the solitary peak of Petit Mont Collon, while on our left, beneath the slopes of L’Évêque, we reach a pass. As the sun rises, we make our descent onto the Glacier d’Arolla.

Here, we clip into our skis and catch sight of the distant Bouquetins Hut before setting off toward Col du Mont Brûlé. The final approach to the pass is exposed, requiring crampons and an ice axe once again. Beyond the col lies one of the most remote sections of the Haute Route as we traverse the Haut Tsa de Tsan Glacier. A steady, gradual ascent then brings us to our last pass—Col de Valpelline (3,690 m). At this moment, the Matterhorn comes into full view, standing proudly before us. With Switzerland’s most iconic peak as our backdrop, we enjoy a long and rewarding descent into Zermatt.

This final leg covers 28 kilometers, with 1,300 meters of ascent and a thrilling 2,800 meters of descent. Once in Zermatt, we celebrate with a well-earned coffee before heading back to Chamonix. The transfer from Zermatt to Argentière or Chamonix (depending on participants’ accommodation) is at one’s own expense.

With that, our adventure comes to an end—time for farewells. The final night’s accommodation and airport transfer are self-arranged.