Chamonix - Zermatt Haute Route

The Haute Route is a legendary ski tour - departing Chamonix and traversing the Alps to finish off in Zermatt in the shadow of the Matterhorn.  It is a very popular ski touring route, and last week we had a full group of six, led by French Guide Greg Sauget. It was an extremely international group, with Edson from Brazil, Sarah from Australia, Daniel from Israel, Tony from New Zealand, Hannes from Iceland and Arne from Norway. Despite very mixed weather, they made it all the way across to Zermatt and had some beautiful days of great touring and skiing.

Argentiere basin in the clouds Early morning start for the Col de Chardonnet day 1L'Aiguille Verte and Les DroitesView of the Trient plateau Arne, Daniel and guide Greg enjoy some well deserved beerView from the Cabane du Trient in Switzerland

Leaving the mighty peaks of the Argentiere basin (Le Verte, Les Droites and Les Courtes) behind, you head up and over one of the bigger passes of the Haute Route, the Col du Chardonnet, on day two. You are already then in Switzerland and at the Trient refuge.

Sunrise at the Argentiere refuge Edson, Sarah, Tony, Daniel, Arne & Hannes of the Haute Route team Verbier as seen from the cable carGuide Greg Sauget on the Haute Route

During a 7 day ski tour like the Haute Route you normally get to experience all sorts of snow and weather conditions, as this group discovered. You can have sunny days skinning uphill in a t-shirt and bitterly cold snow storms with minus 25 temperatures. You go from villages in the valleys where the flowers start blooming to glaciated high Alpine peaks. The highest point you cross over is the Pignes d’Arolla at 3790m.

Stunning views on the Haute Route Ski touring the Haute Route A helicopter drops off supplies at the Cabane des DixSki touring the Haute RouteEnjoying the fresh snow!

There are many multi-day ski tours in the Alps that are less famous but at least as great if not better. Next winter we will be running one or two alternative ski tours to the Haute Route. Keep an eye on our website or subscribe to our newsletter for more information.  

photo-blog elizabeth 15 Apr 2008