Grande Lui Haute Route ski tour

The group will meet at our office in Chamonix Sud the evening before the first day of the trip. You will have an informal chat with your guide about the week ahead, weather, conditions, itinerary, etc. The guide will also want to check all of your equipment and make sure everything is in order.

Early morning start to catch the first lift up to Grands Montes. Ski down to Argentiere glacier and skin up via Col du Passon (3 028m) to the Col Supérieur du Tour (3 289 m).  Then the route takes you across the magnificent Trient plateau and up to the Trient hut where you will spend the night.

Descent 1100m – Ascent 650m – Time 6 – 8 h

Ski from Trient hut by the Fenetre de Saleina and Col de la Grande Lui (optional: Grande Lui summit) to La Fouly for the night.

Descent 2 100m – Ascent 600m – Time 5 – 6 h

Ski from La Fouly to to the cabane Plan du Jeu for the night

Descent 880m – Ascent 1 350m – Time 6 – 8 h

Ski from the cabane Plan du Jeu to to cabane de Valsorey

Descent 780m – Ascent 1 750m – Time 8 – 10 h

Ski from the cabane de Valsorey to cabane de Chanrion via the Plateau du du Couloir.

Descent 1 500m – Ascent 910m – Time 7 – 9 h

Ski from the cabane de Chanrion to the cabane des Vignettes via the Pigne d’Arolla.

Descent 630m – Ascent 1 330m – Time 7 – 9 h

Ski from the cabane des Vignettes to Zermatt via Col de l’Eveque, Col du Mont Brule and Col de Valpelline. A private minibus will take you back to Chamonix.

Time 8 – 9 h

Please see the list of recommended equipment on the other tab. Most technical equipment can be rented here in Chamonix, please contact us if you would like prices and advice on whatever you need. Chamonix has dozens of outdoor shops selling everything from basic head torches to expedition standard sleeping bags, so whatever you don’t already have you can find it here.

Search and rescue is not included in the trip package but is obligatory. This will cover you for search and rescue services, evacuation by helicopter and emergency medical treatment. You should also make sure that you have adequate travel insurance that covers you for the usual things such as cancelled flights, lost luggage, hospital treatment, etc. Please contact us to organise mountain rescue insurance for your trip.

If you wish to book accommodation in Chamonix we would be happy to recommend some local hotels, gites, self-catered apartments, or chalets and advise on the best locations. Please contact us if you would like help finding accommodation in Chamonix.

We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well-established airport transfer companies which use new and comfortable vehicles and which have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.

To book your transfer, we will need the following:

• Your full name
• Mobile phone number
• Email address
• Your destination address
• Your flight details (date, time and flight number)

SHARED TRANSFERS:

This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one-way and 80€ per person for a return trip.

PRIVATE TRANSFERS:

Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it’s a door-to-door service, so you won’t be lugging any bags very far.