Haute Route
Chamonix to Zermatt
Hut to Hut Ski Tour
April 2025
The Alps are famous for ski touring and the Haute Route reigns as the most classic traverse between two iconic mountain towns.
Experience the ultimate ski tour of the Alps: the Haute Route. This famous tour links the highest glaciers between Chamonix and Zermatt using the comfort of various alpine huts. Covering over 50 miles and 20,000' of vertical on skis through complex glaciated terrain, the tour is for experienced and fit backcountry travelers.
The Route
Big days and complex terrain in variable conditions punctuated by world class descents, stunning views, and impressive glaciers.
The Haute Route has a few key variations, but we plan to follow the "skier's Haute Route". A good description can be found below in the itinerary. Every day, skiers can expect to cover 3-5,000' feet of elevation gain and should be prepared for any snow conditions and steep turns. Every night is spent at a unique alpine hut, where meals and a bed are provided. Although pack weights are light for a multi-day tour, the addition of glacier and ski mountaineering equipment is significant. For those who have limited experience with glacial travel or are simply looking to explore Chamonix's world class skiing, we recommend booking two days of private guiding in the days leading up to the trip.
The Skiing
From knee deep powder to white-out in breakable, you could get it all on the Haute Route
The Haute Route covers a wide variety of terrain, from inside famous ski resorts to on some of the Alp's biggest glaciers. Some days, we even see over 6,000' feet of relief, meaning we'll encounter a lot of different conditions on one descent alone. The good news is that you'll likely have at least one very memorable powder descent!
The skiing itself is usually moderate, with long gradual descents that can feel challenging after an equally long climb. There are a few mandatory steep pitches and skiers should feel confident tackling double black diamond terrain. Depending on route choice and skier abilities, more extreme descents are abound and provide the most advanced skiers a chance to test their skills.
The Huts
Enjoy the luxury of huts while traversing the alps. Oh yeah, have a beer while you're there!
Every night along the tour is spent at a unique alpine hut, common in Europe. The Swiss huts are particularly well kept and always have incredible views. Each hut serves a multi-course meal for dinner and a light spread for breakfast, all included in the trip. Dietary accommodations vary in quality, but are always met. For an extra cost, one can purchase a variety of drinks or food similar to a small restaurant during the day. At night, everyone sleeps in bunks dormitory style generally waking up around the same time.
Arrival in Chamonix
We recommend arriving in Europe at least a few days prior to the trip to help adjust to the time change. Chamonix is a world class destination, so catching a series of trains or hiring a private transfer is easy and economical from Geneva, which has a major international airport.
The evening before the trip includes a night at a hotel right at the beginning of our tour, allowing everyone to meet and for your guide to perform a thorough gear check. Options for a private room are available at the Gran Montets hotel for an additional cost.
For those looking to explore a bit of Chamonix before the trip, we are happy to set up additional guided days for descents such as the famous Vallee Blanche of the Aiguille du Midi.
Weather & Variations
Weather is always the crux of a big trip, but the infrastructure of the Alps allows for many variations. Although we will be prepared for any conditions, skiing and navigating in whiteout conditions can be dangerous and simply not fun. If necessary, your guide will make changes to the itinerary and coordinate with the huts to adjust plans. Fortunately, many of the major variations are incredible detours through small Swiss towns or less travelled passes. Occasionally major changes will incur additional costs, at which point your guide will explain the associated fees with the group.
For those interested in a private trip, we can add an extra day into the program to account for poor weather and provide more flexibility in the schedule.
Meet Your Guides
Akio Joy
Aki grew up in the small town of Placerville, California. Early on, he was introduced to climbing & skiing in the Sierra Nevada foothills. At 17, he moved to Montana and started guiding... Read More
Ty Guarino
Ty is a New England transplant that is head over heels in love with skiing. He is a
Certified Ski Guide through the AMGA, a professional ski patroller at Bridger Bowl Ski Area, and... Read More
Details
April, 2025
Sign-Up Deadline: February 1, 2024
6 Day Trip
(Open enrollment, individuals are encouraged to join. Total group sizes are 4-8 skiers). Prices start at $3495/person in a group of 4 and $4395/person in a group of 3.
What's included
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Expert guiding and instruction
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Lodging and bookings along the route
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One night at Les Grands Montets prior to the trip
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Breakfast and dinner along the route
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Luggage shuttle Chamonix-Zermatt
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Guide's international licensing & insurance
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Lift tickets for various bumps
What's not included
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Airfare & travel to/from Chamonix & Zermatt
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Lunches and extra purchases (beverages, snacks, etc.)
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Equipment (a gear list will be provided after booking with some rental equipment avail.)
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Accommodations in Zermatt
Skiing Experience Required
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Skiers/riders should have experience and feel comfortable skiing double black terrain in any conditions along with extensive backcountry skiing experience in various conditions.
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Participants will be required to tour 3,000+' per day for multiple days in a row with a heavier than normal touring pack.
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Due to the glaciated nature of this tour, some familiarity with harnesses and climbing equipment will be required before the trip.
Sexism & Discrimination
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We want to make sure to create a safe and welcoming space for anyone who is joining.
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We do not tolerate any form of sexism or discrimination. If & when you feel uncomfortable with other participants, bystanders, or even guides, please notify your guide or our office immediately.
**A description of participant experience will be required before signup. Individuals seeking to expand skills or receive feedback can book a domestic trip beforehand.
**Participants may sign up as individuals at group rate and choose to drop or adjust price if the trip does not fill.
What's special about us?
Working with American guides comes with several major benefits, mostly involving ease of communication before and during the trip. Struggling to understand or convey concerns in a stressful environment can take away a from an experience or simply create a dangerous situation. Similarly, it is easier to get to know your guide beforehand with a local trip to Montana or Wyoming before going abroad.
Itinerary
Day 0 - Chamonix -
Welcome to France! Everyone arrives from various destinations on their way to the Chamonix Valley. We encourage folks to check in at Les Grands Montets Hotel in Argentiere before taking a minute to explore the town of Chamonix (if they haven't already). A group dinner may be organized, or participants can choose to explore the valley on their own. Either way, we schedule a time to perform a group gear check at the hotel based on everyone's arrival times. Here we answer any last minute questions and brief the group on the forecast and proposed plan for the next few days.
Day 1 - Argentiere -
On our first morning, we enjoy a breakfast at the hotel before packing up our bags and handing off our luggage to be seen next in Zermatt. We catch a series of lifts up the ski resort before skinning about 1700' to the Auguille des Grand Montets. Here, we make a 2,200' descent to the Argentiere Glacier and transition for the 800' ascent to the Argentiere hut. This hut is perched on a lateral moraine, hanging above the glacier with bonus touring options right out the door and the North face of Les Droites right across the valley.
3.7 miles, 2700' ascent, 2200' descent
Day 2 - Plateau du Trient -
One of the bigger days on the route, day 2 presents two major options with the most classic being the Col du Chardonet. From the hut, we make a short descent down the Argentiere Glacier before beginning the climb up to the col. After about 2700' of gain, we do a short scramble into the col and either rappel or make a few belayed turns into the steep couloir. It quickly eases off into open glaciated terrain for a nice descent into the Saleinaz Glacier where we then have to gain another 900' up to the Plateau du Trient. From here, it is a gradual traverse to the base of the Trient hut, guarded by a final 400' climb.
7.7 miles, 3900' ascent, & 2600' descent
Day 3 - Verbier -
After two days of more ascent than descent, we've earned a big descent. Right out of the hut, we wrap around into the Val d'Arppette and make a 5,700' descent into Champex. Here we catch a bus and then train to the famous ski town of Verbier, where we then ride a series of lifts to the shoulder of Mont Fort. Our afternoon takes us out of the ski resort and across 5 miles of Glacier Gran Desert to the Prafleuri hut. With good weather, skiers enjoy the opportunity to ski off the summit of Rosablanche along the way.
9.8 miles, 2200' ascent, & 7800' descent
Day 4 - Lac des Dix -
Day 4 begins with a small climb out of Prafleuri to Col des Roux, before embarking on a 4.5 mile traverse above the large Lake Dix. Warmth is often a concern on this traverse, so an early start for firm conditions ensure a fast a safe ski. Once we reach the end of the lake, we climb for 1800 feet, gradually gaining the Glacier de Cheilon before turning up to the Dix hut.
Once settled in, the group has the decision to rest up and enjoy some of the local cuisine or make an afternoon tour towards La Luette, a 3500m peak just 1800' above the Cabane.
7.3 miles, 2300' ascent, & 1600' descent
Day 5 - Pigne d'Arolla -
From Dix, we take off under the impressive North Face of Mont Blanc de Cheilon towards the Serpentine pass, weaving our way through some of the most complex glaciated terrain yet. After 3100' of ascent, we reach the Pigne d'Arolla at nearly 3800 meters. Here, we can enjoy views from the entire route- spanning from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. From the summit, we descend over 2000' of glaciers, eventually transitioning and skinning into the famous Vignettes hut.
6.3 miles, 3300' ascent, & 2600' descent
Day 6 - The Matterhorn -
Like any good tour, we save the best for last. This final day is simply epic. From the Vignettes hut, we make a 8.5 mile high traverse of three glaciers. After 4000' of gain, we stand at the Col de Valpelline looking towards the Matterhorn and the town of Zermatt, over 6000' below. The descent takes us through the complex glaciers guarding the Matterhorn, eventually navigating the moraines beneath it. Finally, we end up on the groomed trails of the ski hill and slide directly into Zermatt for a surreal ending to an epic tour.
19.4 miles, 4200' ascent, & 9100' descent
