Classic Haute Route ski tour Chamonix – Zermatt

The Classic Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, maybe one of the most gorgeous skitours in the alps.


Region: Valais, Switzerland
Fitness Kondition

Du bist ein Genießer, du liebst es gemütlich. 2 bis 3 Stunden Gesamtzeit sind kein Problem für dich.

Du magst gemütliche Touren, kannst auch etwas drüber hinausgehen. Bis zu 5 Stunden Gesamtzeit schaffst du gut.

Du bist schon etwas ambitionierter und es macht dir nichts aus, dich 6 bis 7 Stunden auf Tour zu bewegen.

Deine Ausdauer ist sehr gut, du bist nach einer 8- bis 9-stündigen Tour noch nicht „ausgepowert“.

Deine Kondition ist überdurchschnittlich gut und du kannst nach 9 bis 10 Stunden auf Tour immer noch entspannt dein Bier genießen.

Beachte bitte auch, dass für diese konditionelle Bewertung eine Leistung von mindestens 300 (bei Touren ab Schwierigkeitsbewertung  mindestens 400, ab  mindestens 500) Höhenmetern in der Stunde (im Aufstieg am Wanderweg ohne schweres Gepäck) Voraussetzung ist.

You enjoy walks, you like it unhurried. 2 to 3 hours of walking time are no issue for you.

You like unhurried walks but do appreciate something more challenging. 5 hours walking time are finde with you.

You are already a bit ambitious and you don’t mind 6 to 7 hours walking time.

You are in great shape, 8 to 9 hours of walking / climbing are not your limit.

You are physical fitness is way beyond average, even after 9 to 10 hours of walking / climbing you will enjoy your beer with a smile.

Please consider the minimum climbing rate based on these degrees of fitness 300 m or 1000 ft vertical per hour. From level  and higher it is 500 m or 1500 ft vertical per hour, both with light backpacks.
Technic Technik

In der untersten Schwierigkeitsstufe bewegst du dich an der Grenze zwischen Piste und freiem Skiraum. Du kannst mit diesem Eigenkönnen schon an meinen „Geführten Skitouren für Anfänger“ teilnehmen. Wenn du dich steigern möchtest, empfehle ich dir den Kurs „Schnupperskitouren – von der Piste ins Gelände“.

Du beherrschst den sicheren Stemmschwung in jeder Schneeart in sanftem, maximal wenig mehr als 30° geneigtem Gelände. Im Aufstieg kommen keine oder nur vereinzelte Spitzkehren vor.

In gelegentlichen Steilstücken von 30 bis 35° bereitet dir der sichere Stemmschwung keine Probleme. Für den Aufstieg benötigst du Spitzkehrentechnik.

In mäßig geneigtem Gelände schwingst du parallel, häufige Steilpassagen um 35°, gelegentlich auch mehr, schaffst du mit sicherem Stemmschwung. Im Aufstieg ist auf deine Spitzkehren Verlass. Vereinzelte Tragepassagen bis zu 40° meisterst du mit Steigeisen. Leichte Kletterstellen* (max. UIAA I–II) sind für dich gut machbar.

Du bist ein sehr guter Skifahrer und beherrschst den Stemm- oder Parallelschwung in jeder Schneeart auf einer durchschnittlichen Hangneigung von 35 bis 40°. Du bist in punkto Spitzkehrentechnik auch im exponierten Gelände sattelfest. Häufige Tragepassagen um die 40° mit Steigeisen wie auch gelegentliche Kletterstellen* (max. UIAA II) nehmen dir nicht den Mut.

*I. a. nicht obligatorisch.

In the lowest difficulty level, you move on the border between ski run and off-piste area. You can already participate in my “guided ski tours for beginners” with this own skills. If you want to improve, I recommend you the course “Skitours for Beginners – from Piste to Off-Piste”.

You mastered the safe stem turn in each type of snow in gentle, max. little more than 30 ° inclined terrain. In ascent, there are no or only occasional switchbacks.

In occasional steep sections of 30 to 35 °, the safe stem turn does not cause you any problems. For the ascent you need switchback technique.

In moderately sloping terrain you ski in parallel, frequent steep passages around 35 °, occasionally more, you can do with a safe stem turn. On the ascent your switchbacks are reliable. Occasional carrying passages up to 40 ° you overcome with crampons. Lightweight climbing sections * (max UIAA I-II) are possible for you.

You are a very good skier and master the stem or parallel turn in any type of snow on an average slope of 35 to 40 °. You are also saddle-fast in the exposed area when it comes to switchback technique. Frequent carrying passages around 40 ° with crampons as well as occasional climbing sections * (max. UIAA II) do not take the courage.

*In general not obligatory.

Es sind keine speziellen Techniken notwendig. Etwas Trittsicherheit bringst du mit.

Du beherrscht das Gehen mit Steigeisen in gelegentlichen Gletscherpassagen mit 30 bis 35° Neigung.

Auch wenn sich steile Gletscher- oder Firnpassagen von 30 bis 35° häufen, bewegst du dich sicher. Dein Technikrepertoire schließt (ab dieser Schwierigkeitsstufe) das Steigen mit Frontalzacken ein. Vereinzelte leichte Kletterstellen (max. UIAA I bis II) überwindest du zügig.

Obwohl der Großteil der Tour in steilem Gletscher- oder Firngelände von durchschnittlich 35°, manchmal auch 40° verläuft, fühlst du dich noch wohl. Mittelschwere Kletterstellen (UIAA II bis III) meisterst du ohne lange zu überlegen.

In der höchsten Schwierigkeitsstufe ist eine absolut sichere Frontalzackentechnik obligatorisch. Du musst Gletscher- oder Firnpassagen bis zu 45°, vereinzelt bis zu 50° überwinden. Du bist ein guter Felskletterer, der sich vor schwierigen Schlüsselstellen (max. UIAA III bis IV) nicht scheut.

No specific skills necessary, just the usual sure-footedness.

You are able to climb and descend with crampons on occasional glaciers of up to 30 to 35 degrees slopes.

Even in frequent 35 degrees glacier slopes you feel confident. From this degree of difficulty on you can reliably use your front points. You manage occasional easy climbing difficulties (UIAA I – II) without hesitation.

Even though most of the tour you will be exposed to steep glacier and snow slopes of 35 up to 40 degrees you are comfortable with that. You routinely manage medium climbing difficulties (UIAA II – III).

The highest level of difficulty requires superior front point technique. You will have to deal with glacier and snow slopes beyond 45 and up to 50 degrees. You are a good rock climber not hesitating to deal with difficulties of (UIAA III – IV).


maximum participants: 5
Prices: 5 persons Euro 1250.-, 4 persons Euro 1450.-
Included: Tour organization, reservations, guiding by a state approved mountain and ski guide including his expenses.

Tour Description

With state-certified mountain guides from Chamonix to Zermatt

The Haute Route – a unique ski tour in 6 days
The Haute Route is more than just a ski tour – it is the most legendary ski crossing of the Alps. In six days, we take you from the granite giants of the Mont Blanc massif to the striking summit of the Matterhorn in Zermatt. Experience a week full of high alpine solitude, challenging ascents and dream descents amidst the Valais four-thousand-meter peaks with Firngrat.

Why experience the Haute Route with Firngrat?
Throughout the tour, you will be accompanied by state-certified mountain guides who will be at your side at all times. Our experts know the Haute Route down to the smallest detail and take care of all the organization for you – from booking and precise planning to professional guidance on the mountain.
This means you can concentrate fully on the experience and enjoy the ski tour to the full without having to worry about organizational details.

Best time to travel & equipment
The ideal time for the Haute Route is between mid-March and the end of April. At this time, the huts are open and the glacier quarries are usually well snow-covered.
We have put together a clear packing list for you. packing list so that you are perfectly prepared!

Transparent costs and flexible solutions
Transparency is particularly important to us: the rates for our tours are clear and comprehensible, and we also inform you openly about all additional costs. So you can be sure that you won’t have to expect any unpleasant surprises.
Even in the event of unexpected weather conditions, we will find a suitable solution together so that your ski tour remains a unique experience.

Individual advice
If you are still unsure whether the tour meets your expectations, you can contact me directly at any time: Michael, managing mountain guide, at +436642251792. Alternatively, you can also reach me via WhatsApp or e-mail. I will be happy to advise you personally!


Meeting point: 1920 Martigny, Schweiz

Tour Character

High Alpine ski crossing, mostly on glaciers. Technically difficult, long climbs and ski runs in absolutely stunning western alpine terrain.

Required Skill and Fitness Level

Skill: Safe stem turns in any type of snow up to max. 35 degrees steep, safe hairpin bends, sure-footedness when walking with crampons.

Fitness: 5 to 9 hour climbs per day plus 2 to 3-hour ski runs.

Details

  • Number of participants: min. 4 to max. 5 per mountain guide.
  • Services included: Organization and reservation, guided tour by a state-certified mountain guide and his expenses.
  • Services included: 2 x overnight stays and half board in hotel, 4 x overnight stays and half board in huts, transfers.
  • Accommodation: Hotel in Argentiere, Refuge Albert 1er, Hotel Bivouac, Cabane de Valsorey, Cabane de Chanrion, Cabane des Vignettes or Rifugio Nacamuli.
  • Other: Insurance (accident, trip cancellation) is the responsibility of the participants. Please read the General Terms and Conditions.

Program schedule/tour itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
Our Haute Route begins with the journey to Martigny. We recommend that you travel by public transport to save extra walking at the end of the tour (to pick up your own car) and parking fees. From there, we continue together by train to Argentiere. We stay in a hotel for the first night and prepare for the upcoming stages.
Day 2: From Argentiere to Refuge Albert 1er
Early in the morning, we take one of the first cable cars and travel in two sections from Argentiere to the foot of the Aiguille à Bochard, approx. 2700 m above sea level. We are accompanied by the impressive mountain scenery and the magnificent view of Mont Blanc. From here we climb over the Col des Rachasses, 3037 m, and descend onto the Glacier d'Argentiere. From its northern bank, we tackle the ascent to the Col du Passon (3028 m). We tackle the last 100 meters in altitude with crampons via a couloir that is up to 45 degrees steep. Afterwards, a beautiful descent leads us over the Glacier du Tour to Refuge Albert 1er, 2702 m.

1000 m

1000 m

5-6 hours
Day 3: Over the Plateau du Trient to Champex
We reach the Plateau du Trient via the Glacier du Tour and the Col superior du Tour (3,287 m). In good conditions, the Aiguille du Tour (3540 m) offers us a beautiful summit option. We descend via the Plateau du Trient and climb briefly, about 80 meters in altitude, with crampons to the Col des Escandies, 2793 m. A wonderful descent takes us through the Val d' Arpette to Champex. From there, a cab (or alternatively a bus) takes us to Bourg S. Pierre. We spend the night at the "Bivouac du Napoleon" guesthouse.

900 m

2000 m

7 hours
Day 4: Ascent to the Cabane de Valsorey
The ascent to Cabane de Valsorey (3,030 m) takes place on a varied path, whereby the first one to one and a half hours are mostly on snow. Along a stream, over moraines and a steep, long slope, we reach the exposed hut.

1300 m

0 m

6 hours
Day 5: Key passage of the Haute Route
The fourth day marks the key passage of the Haute Route. First we climb to the Plateau du Couloir (3,600 m) with crampons, later with crampons in mostly good stomping tracks. After traversing the plateau, there is a steep descent into a glacier hollow, followed by a short ascent (approx. 120 meters in altitude) to the Col du Sonadon (3,520 m). From here, a long descent opens up over the Glacier du Mont Durand, which we leave at around 2,700 meters (short, flat counter-climb). The route continues over beautiful northern slopes to a stream bed, from where we tackle the final ascent (approx. 200 m) to the Cabane de Chanrion (2,462 m).

900 m

1400 m

6-7 hours
Day 6: Up the Pigne d'Arolla
A long day lies ahead: we reach the Pigne d'Arolla (3,790 m) via the Col Nord des Portons or alternatively via the Col de la Serpentine. The impressive descent leads us to the Cabane des Vignettes, 3153 m, where we spend the night.

1500 m

800 m

8-9 hours
Day 7: Over 3 passes to Zermatt
A short descent to the Col de Charmotane, 3015 m, leads us to the Col de l' Eveque, 3379 m. We descend the Haut Glacier d' Arolla to around 2900 m and climb up to the Col du Mont Brulé, 3214 m. Another short descent takes us to the Haut Glacier de Tsa de Tsan. We climb to the Col de Valpelline, 3551 m (summit option Tete Blanche, 3710 m) and descend to Zermatt via the Stockji Glacier (normally possible as far as the cable car station "Furi", 1862 m). In good winters, it is possible to ski from there to Zermatt via the piste. Otherwise we take the cable car to Zermatt. We can easily get back to Martigny by public transport.

1300-1400 m

2900 m

8 hours

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