La Haute Route 7-day ski tour Chamonix – Zermatt

Ski touring from Chamonix to Zermatt, following the wonderful Haute Route, during 7 days. Join Hervé, IFMGA certified guide, in a personalized trip.

Alps

7 Days

Feb - Apr

High

Intermediate

Description

La Haute Route is a mythical ski touring course linking the two mountaineering European capitals, Chamonix in France and Zermatt in Switzerland.

I like to take my friends and customers there, and help them to discover the splendid massifs we cross.

We enjoy long, rewarding ski touring days, and sleep in famous mountain huts across the route. In my opinion, some of the highlights are the Chardonnet pass, the Fenêtre d'Arpette and the Dix lake. But the journey is filled with fantastic places.

Below you can find the detailed itinerary of the route I usually guide. Of course it is adjustable depending on the time you have and the places that you would like to visit. In addition, this Haute Route program is adaptable according to the participants level and the weather. We could anticipate for example a walking day if you prefer.

If you want more information about the preparation, I strongly recommend you to read this article – Get ready to ski tour Chamonix Zermatt – which I have contributed to.

I invite you to contact me if this adventure interests you. We will have the opportunity to speak about your level and your desires. I'd be happy to take you on La Haute Route!

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Transport during the trip

Price details

The price doesn't include: insurance, individual equipment, tips and personal expenses. The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).

Itinerary

Day 1: Chamonix – Argentière refuge

Meeting in Chamonix or Argentière (to be defined), Grand-Montets lift. Descent of the Argentière glacier, 2 hours of sealskin ascent to reach the Argentière refuge.
Dinner and overnight in refuge (dormitories)

Day 2: Argentière refuge – Trient hut

Early breakfast, short descent and ascent with sealskins to the Chardonnet pass (3 hours). Descent to the glacier (mixed rope or abseil to descent a couloir). Descent to Saleinaz glacier, and ascent with seal skins or crampons up to the Fenêtre de Saleinaz (1 hour). False flat descent before ascending to the Trient hut (1 hour).
Picnic or late lunch at the refuge.

Day 3: Trient hut – Montfort hut

Descent from the Trient glacier to below the Fenêtre d’Arpette. Slight climb on foot (20 min) and long and beautiful descent to Val d’Arpette. Private transfer to Verbier (45 mins).
Picnic or frugal meal at Champex or Chable.
We take Verbier lifts to reach the Montfort hut.
Dinner and overnight at the hut. Comfortable hut (showers, small rooms for 4).

Day 4: Montfort hut – Prazfleuri hut

Breakfast. Ascent with sealskins to Leschaux pass then climb to Rosablanca (4-5 hours). Descent to the Prazfleuri hut. Comfortable hut (showers).

Day 5: Prazfleuri hut – Arolla

Breakfast. Ascent to the Roux pass (2 hours). Long journey along Dix Lake, climb of Pas du Chat and Pas de Chèvres (ladders), lasting more than 4 hours. Descent to Arolla.
Overnight at a hotel in Arolla (to be defined), dinner at the hotel.

Day 6: Arolla – Bertol hut

Breakfast and short transfer to the valley to ascend to the Bertol hut (the most beautiful of the Alps). 6-7 hours climbing.

Day 7: Bertol hut – Zermatt

Breakfast. False flat, then ascent to Tête Blanche with sealskins (2-3 hours) and long descent from Valpeline to Scönbiel Glacier to reach Zermatt by Zmutt below the Matterhorn.
Lunch in Zermatt, meeting with the taxi and return to Chamonix.

Details

More info

Equipment: backpack 50L (preferably with airbag), arva, shovel, probe, spare batteries, silk sheets, ski touring equipment (skis, telescopic poles, hiking boots, knives, skins), lightweight crampons and ice axe, helmet, mask, glacier glasses, fleece set (jacket + tights), all Gore-tex (trousers + jacket), warm gloves, hat, headlamp, replacement clothes (and technical underwear), camera, wireless charging, batteries, memory cards, small personal pharmacy, toiletries, trek towel, passport or valid identity card.

Meeting point

At Chamonix.

About the guide

Hervé

4.7

(7)

Mountain Guide

IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide
I come from Marseille and I found my passion for mountaineering very early, climbing Les Calanques, some mountains in the Verdon region and in the Alps. I got my IFMGA (mountain guide) certificate in 1983 and my ski instructor license in 1985.
I brought my clients on many summits of the Alps and went abroad to discover the world. I went skiing, climbing, mountaineering… in Morocco, Norway, Algeria (Hoggar), Yosemite (El Capitan) and Nepal. I discovered this passion for travelling and started to organize my first trips with my clients. In the late 80’, I went to the Annapurna Sanctuary and I did several ascents in Peru (Pisco, Yanapatcha and Huascaran). In the 90’, I did several trips in Nepal (Helambu, Langtang…).
I then kept on and further explored the world with my clients: Rolwaling traverse (Perchamo, Mera Peak Mingbo La), the summits of Yala Peak and the Yana Kanga, Patagonia (in Argentina), Manaslu tour in Nepal, Meso Kanto La, Mustang, Atacama desert in chili and many others.
I like bringing my clients mountaineering in summer and ski touring / heliskiing in winter.
Get in touch with me and let's discuss about your next guiding tour !

Languages

Spanish | French | English

Certificates

SNGM

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What people are saying about Hervé

Hervé est fort à l'écoute de son client, il cerne très bien les attentes et les envies. Il est aussi très rassurant et porte une attention particulière au bien-être de chacun. Il a beaucoup d'expérience, on sent qu'il connaît bien la montagne et il est prudent. Enfin, il est discret et sympatique. Je le recommande vivement !

Many thanks for 3 great days of snow powder and amazing views in the 3 vallees. Knowledgeable, cautious and takes peoples tempo and abilities into account, adapting to needs.

Great moments of fun and found some lush powder in difficult conditions.

Diego

Excellent guide. Nous avons beaucoup aimé son professionalisme et sa gentillesse.

Ashley

Hi Hervé, thanks for the 3 wonderful days skiing in the 3 Vallées. My family & I had a great time. You picked out the perfect runs. Hope to see you soon. Ashley.