The Haute Route Chamonix to Verbier 7 days Sunday to Saturday.
Introduction
The most famous ski journey in the world, starts in the French valley of Chamonix and travels 115km through the Alps most spectacular terrain to finish below the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps in Zermatt. The journey takes in Summits to 3700m, passes through many spectacular Cols and travels along many glaciers. Its the ultimate way to ski past most of the best 4000m peaks of the Alps. Along the route the skiers stays high for the whole time spending nights in high Alpine huts.
Starting point/meeting point
Twid’s Chalet or Chamonix.
The Programme
Day 1: ( Generally Saturday). Arrive in the Alps at a pre aranged meeting place by 7.30pm. A full briefing about the trip and exquipment.
Day2: A full day of training and acclimatisation. Often at glacier 3000 above Diaberts or in the Chamonix area. Essential skills of skinning, kick turns, avalanche procedure, glacial travel and crevasse rescue are checked.
Day3: After the earliest cable car from the Grand Montet, in Argentere, the team will ski through the Col du Passon on a long route to the Trient hut. 3170m.
Day 4: Leaving the Trient plataeu the team descend to below the Col Ecandies which is scaled in crampons to the Col. An inpressive ski down to the small village of Champex. Cakes, coffee and sun while you wait for transfer to Verbier. Ascend to the Mont Fort Hut. Shower!
Day 5: A classic journey through many cols and over the Grand Desert glacier reach the summit of the Rossablanche. A fine view looking back to the Mont Blanc range. Enjoy one of the best skis to the Pra Fleuri Hut.
Day 6: Take the Col du Rou to reach the Dixence reservoir basin. A long traverse reaches the end of the reservoir and a skin up the Chelion glaciee to the specatular Cabanne De Dix.
Day 7: Traverse the Aiguille de Pigne 3700m with spectacular glacial terrain, crevasses and summits to reach the Vignette Hut 3200m. One of the biggest, busiest and certainly most spectacular huts in the Alps.
Day 8: (Saturday normally) The big day! Ski through three 3 high cols and glaciers to reach the final Col de Valpelline. The ski down takes in breath taking terrain, complex glaciers also unparalleled views of the North Face of the Matterhorn. Eventually ski directly into Zermatt as the crowds cheer! You can either spend a night celebrating in Zermatt or return to Chamonix for a good rest.
Skiing ability, previous skills, fitness
The Huate Route is not an ideal ski tour as it involves some long days and challenging ground. It suits the ski who has previous experience of some basic tours, skiing off piste, skiining uphill for up to 4hrs a day and some experience of use of crampons and ice axe. If its your first time ski touring perhaps The Introduction to Ski Touring Course whould be a better learning experience.
Equipment
Its essential to have the right equipment for the journey but essential to carry as little as possible. Maximum 8 to 10kg bags. Please take note in the Ski Touring gear list. Mountaineering insurance us required we recommend the BMC. The best advice us carry a light sack and a heavy wallet!
To tailor your trip or to join one of our group ours please get in touch with Mike Twid Turner email: twidturner@aol.com mob: 0041 79958 8412
Haute Route Ski Touring Chamonix to Zermatt
