Ski traverse from Chamonix to Zermatt, 7 days

The Haute Route from CHamonix to Zermatt is a true classic ski touring traverse that you have to do at least once. Go with Jan, IFMGA certified guide.

Alps

7 Days

Apr, May

High

Intermediate

Description

The Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt is a legendary ski mountaineering traverse.

It is a week-long fantastic event to cross the Alps between the famous French and Swiss mountaineering capitals. Indeed, it's the most classic and renown ski traverse in the world. Each year and ski lovers from all over the world meet in Chamonix to do this ski touring traverse.

We will go up several peaks to then descend with majestic views. We will stay at some famous mountain huts, enjoying the atmosphere. Between passes, glaciers, peaks and couloirs these seven days will go by so fast! But I will make my best to allow you to fully enjoy this stunning region.

We will meet in Chamonix to start this wonderful adventure together. Some of the start spots include the Vallée Blanche, the Argentière glacier, the Aiguille du Tour and Pigne d'Arolla. But there's much more than that, and you can see it in detail in the daily itinerary below.

Tempted to check the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt from your bucket list? Then make sure you send me a request and I will make it happen. And if you are looking for an easy ski touring trip in a less classic location, have a look at this one in the Giant Mountains.

Price includes

Guiding fee
Mountain guide expenses

Price details

The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).
I will loan you the equipment as needed: avalanche set, crampons, ice axe, harness.

Itinerary

Day 1: Acclimatization in Chamonix

We take the Aiguille du Midi cable car and go to the Vallée Blanche. A beautiful descent over endless glaciers, with the obligated stop at Requin.

Day 2: Haute Route

We start the Haute Route. We take the Grand Montets cable car and go down to the Argentière glacier. We go by the alternative route to Passon pass and the Albert 1er. There are fewer people going to the Chardonet pass.

Day 3: Aiguille du Tour

We go to the Superior du Tour pass. We go to the top of the beautiful Aiguille du Tour. Down the Trient glacier via the Ecandies pass to Champex. We transfer by taxi to Bourg St Pierre.

Day 4: Valsorey hut

Today to the Valsorey hut. It’s under a large wall of the Grand Combin.

Day 5: Combanu

In the morning a steep hill awaits at the Plateau couloir. Then we go to the southern old village of Combanu and enjoy a drive down the chalet Chanrion. We spend there a great afternoon at the patio and rest to prepare for the last 2 days.

Day 6: Vignettes hut

Today we have two options, depending on your level and the weather. We can ascend the Pigne d’Arolla and then go to the Vignettes hut. And if conditions are not good enough, we will go to the Otemma glacier.

Day 7: Valpelline pass

The last and longest stage. But also the most beautiful and royal. After a long traverse we reach Valpelline pass. Then we drive to the center of Zermatt, where we enjoy a beer and transfer back to Chamonix.

About the guide

Jan

5.0

(10)

Mountain Guide

I've been skiing and climbing since my early childhood. I graduated in 2005 from the Univerzity of Hradec Kralove with a Master degree at the Faculty of Education. Since then I worked as a history and PE teacher. I was also running an Outdoor sport's club at that time, spending plenty of time climbing, skiing etc. with my students.

In 2009, I became a full time skiing and climbing instructor.

Licences:
2009 – APUL C ski instructor
2010 – APUL B ski instructor
2011 – APUL telemark and snowboard
2012 – ISIA Mark (International ski instructors association)
– MSMT climbing instructor and Mountain leader
2013 – entered the UIAGM mountain guide education
2014 – passed the UIAGM Aspirant exam.
2015 - Succeeded the UIAGM / IFMGA final exam

Spending your holiday with you would be my pleasure. Whether in winter on a ski tour (in Czech Republic or Austria) or in summer among the spectacular sandstone towers.

It will be, with no doubt, a very pleasant experience for all of us. I'm an easygoing, friendly and reliable person with a good sense for responsibility.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with me !

Languages

Russian | German | English | Czech

Certificates

CAHV | IVBV | UIAGM | IFMGA

Request more information

What people are saying about Jan

Jefferson

I had a great time and the guide really made me feel like we were friends on a day of climbing. Would do again! Thank you.

Maggi

This review is not for Jan Novotny, but for Juras Sefl. Unfortunately communication with Explore share was very haphazard, and I got the feeling if I hadn’t established contact a few aus prior to our climbing date, it wouldnt have happened. No contact from jan Novotny who was indisposed and got his friend Juras to fill in last minute. Juras Sefl was excellent, reliable and took excellent care of my first time climbing teenagers who felt safe in his hands and trusted him. I wasn’t so impressed with the head organisation, as I say, communication and organisation was not optimal and I wasn’t sure what kind of service we would get. No communication with the guide. Anyhow, the overall climbing experience with Juras was excellent.

Alex

Jan was knowledgeable about the history and geography of the area, the route and pace were goid for me, he helped me with my attempt to learn Czech, the weather and snow were mostly good, altogether a very enjoyable day.

Bob

Guide: Jan Hais! What a great ski tour our threesome had in the Giant Mountains in the spring of 2022, with our guide Jan Hais. The weather was great, as was the culture of alpine huts and mountain lore in the land of the giant, Krkonoše. But the trip was really pulled together in such a successful way by the skill of our guide. He was an expert at understanding our needs. We were strong and experienced in some ways, yet less so in others, particularly in the use of alpine touring gear. Jan expertly knew when to give us room to roam, yet to jump into help when we needed it. Excellent! We did seem to fall through the cracks a little in pre-trip communications—not our guide’s fault. However, Jan listened empathetically to our concerns and his professionalism reassured us. Thank you, Jan Hais. Thanks, too, to the team at Explore-Share for reaching out to us over our pre-trip hiccups.

Iris

it was great! Jiri is a fantastic guide and man, we all enjoyed being with him a lot!!!