The “Classic” alpine haute route Chamonix to Zermatt & Mont Blanc

Chamonix – Zermatt classic haute route ski touring holiday. As a special for this winter, are offering the Alpine Haute Route ski tour following the  Classic Traverse. This route is closely based on the original line taken by Marcel Kurz and Professor Roget in 1911, passing by the Southern Grande Combin and the Cabin de Val Soray. Early booking is strongly recommended.

This is the most spectacular route passing the Grande Combin, and is therefore weather dependent and demanding. In the event of poor conditions we will take the more “standard” Haute Route via Verbier or the tour and ascent of the Grand Paradiso on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc tunnel.

Accommodation

For this trip, we’ll be staying in a mixture of good hotels and mountain refuges.

Weather

As you would expect, this high mountain ski touring trip is very dependent on the weather and snow conditions. The weather, visibility and temperature can change rapidly and we recommend that you wear layers so that you can easily adapt to changing temperatures. Good quality, lightweight kit (including full waterproofs) is essential on this hut-to-hut tour.

Chamonix – Zermatt classic haute route ski touring holiday Itinerary

Day 1: Argentiere village, France, over the Col du Chardonnet and the Fenêtre du Saleina to spend the night in the Trients refuge.

Day 2: Descend the Val d’Arpette in the direction of Champex, then a short taxi ride to Bourg St Pierre (at this point we can choose to adapt our route via Verbier if conditions are not ideal).

Day 3: Climb to the Val Sorey refuge, on the shoulder of the Grande Combin (4,314 m or 14,154 ft).

Day 4: Passing by the Mont Durand peak, 3713m, and its glacier, followed by the Col de Sorradon and the Grand Plateau glacier to arrive at the Chanrion refuge.

Day 5: A long, non-technical climb via the Pigne d’Arolla to the Vignettes Hut.

Day 6: A long day via the three cols to Zermatt (Col de l’Evêque, Col du Mont Brulé and Col de Valpelline), then a long descent under the shoulder of the Matterhorn and Dent d’Herens.

Extension: Optional Mont Blanc ski touring ascent

We plan to stay in the area (after spending 2 nights in Chamonix), to climb Mont Blanc, this will an “at cost extra” paid for separately weather permitting. In the event of poor conditions we may attempt another peak ascent, such as the Mont Rosa or some off-piste skiing in the Chamonix valley.

Please note that the extension in an optional extra payable directly to our guide whilst on the trip if weather and ability permit.

2-day trip starting from Chamonix, Aiguilles du Midi after 2 nights’ rest in Chamonix.

Day 1:

We have two options for today, either:

By Grandes Mullets and Plan de Aiguille (starting at the intermediate cable car station); climb to Aiguille du Gouter then Col du Gouter, Refuge Vallot and Arrete des Bosses to Mont Blanc.

OR (less technical): Aiguille du Midi and Cosmiques; climb the shoulder of Tacul then the shoulder of Mont Maudit to the Col de la Brenva to Mont Blanc.

Day 2:

Descend by the North face, or Arrete des Bosses and Petit Plateaux, Grande Plateaux, Refuge des Grand Mulets and Plan d’Aiguille (the intermediate station on the Midi cable car).

Please click on an image below to view the gallery.

Ski-touring dates & prices

We are flexible on dates and for groups of 3 or more can arrange additional dates. Please contact us if there is a trip you would like to do or if you would like us to organise bespoke trip for you. Find full details of group size and minimum numbers below this calendar.

• Trips can still run with less than minimum numbers. For groups of 2 within the trip price we will offer 3 and a half days of private guiding, leaving 2 free days for independent skiing/ski touring. For a single booking the included guiding element of the trip covers 2 days guiding. There is the option to add extra days at additional cost.

7th April Haute Route CLASSIC – Chamonix Zermatt£1300

Price for guided ski-touring holidays, Introductory and Iconic include:

• seven nights accommodation, including the cost of any mountain refuges
• continental breakfasts, picnic lunches on skiing days, afternoon tea on home days, three course evening meals on six nights
• six days guiding with a UIAGM mountain guide
• local transport (but not airport transfers, these can be arranged on your behalf)
• avalanche security equipment eg. avalanche transceiver, probe and snow shovel

The only extra costs would be:

• your ski hire; around 30€ a day which includes skis, boots, poles, skins and crampons
• one meal out in the week
• alcoholic drinks, snacks in the ski resort and refuges
• your travel costs to get to the Pyrenees
• Lift passes for days in the ski resort are about 30€ per day.

Minimum numbers and group size:

• We need a group size of 3 to confirm a trip.
• Trips still run with less than minimum numbers. For groups of 2 within the trip price we will offer 3 and a half days of private guiding, leaving 2 free days for independent skiing/ski touring. For a single booking the included guiding element of the trip covers 2 days guiding. There is the option to add extra days at additional cost.
• Small groups: Typical group sizes are 4 to 6. Maximum 8 guests per guide.

Price for the Special: The Haute Route (Classic route), Chamonix-Zermatt with Mont Blanc option

What the price includes:

• All accommodation and food, including all huts and 2 hotel nights in Chamonix valley
• Guiding
• safety equipment

Not included in the price:

• Gear eg. skis, boots
• Lift passes
• Taxi
• last night meal.

Transfers/lifts may add up to 130€ depending on the mode of transport (taxi/train).