Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route

This Ski Tour or Randonnée Journey is an Experience of a Life Time

Mar 30, 2009

French for High Level Pass the Haute Route is the most famous hut to hut ski tour in the world. Starting in Chamonix it traverses France, Italy and Switzerland in a week.

The beauty of the Haute Route lies not in the technical difficulty of the itinerary or even the quality of the ski descents (though there is some amazing skiing to be had along the way). The splendor of this historical itinerary is in the journey. Beginning in Chamonix and ending in Zermatt the Haute Route traverses 20 glaciers, contours along the foot of a string of alpine giants, dips briefly into Italy and takes advantage of the hearty hospitality provided by a handful of alpine refuges.

The Haute Route begins with a ski descent from the top of the Grands Montets to the Argentière Glacier. The first uphill challenge is a demanding one - skinning for three to four hours to the Col de Chardonnet for a picnic lunch at 3320 meters. Descent of the steep eastern side of the col usually involves ropes. The second pass over the Fenêtre de Saleina (a short ascent) gives access to the Plateau du Trient in Switzerland. Removing skins, a schuss across the plateau and a final short ascent leads to the Trient refuge.

Day 2: Trient Refuge to the Cabane de Mont Fort

The descent of the upper Trient glacier and the north facing slopes of the Val d'Arpette through open woodland all the way to the road above Champex is one of the rewarding ski descents of the week. After lunch in the picturesque lakeside town of Champex a taxi brings the group to le Châble and using the Verbier lifts to the Col des Gentianes it's an easy descent to the Mont Fort refuge.

Day 3: Cabane de Mont Fort to the Prafleuri Hut

An easy skin to the Col de la Chaux across rolling terrain begins the day. A short descent is followed by gentle skinning to the Col de Momin. On this day there's the opportunity to gain a peak - the Rosablanche. This provides a perfect high vantage point for a picnic followed by a fantastic descent of frequently buttery powder blanketing rolling terrain to the Prafleuri – one of the coziest remote huts in the Alps. It's even got hot showers!

Day 4: Prafleuri Hut to the Cabane des Dix

Now the grandeur of the terrain is building up as the group arrives at the Dix hut nestled under the North face of the Mont Blanc de Cheilon. To arrive at this point involves gaining the Col des Roux and skirting the left bank of the Lac de Dix – a combination of skiing and skinning along the flats. There's a short steep slope known as the Pas de Chat then a gentle uphill following the frozen riverbed to the Dix hut. In the afternoon there's the chance to gain more turns on neighboring peaks.

Day 5: Dix Hut to the Vignettes Refuge

Today there's truly a sense of being in the heart of the Alps. Though the coming days are not easy; Haute Route participants are now typically well acclimatized. The Pigne d'Arolla at 3,796 meters is the highest point on the Haute Route and from the summit stretches a wonderful descent to the Vignette hut.

Day 6: Vignette Refuge to Zermatt

This is the most strenuous day of the trip and the most spectacular with a final ski descent that traverses seven glaciers, dips briefly into Italy and is lined with marvelous peaks not least of all the descent of the Stockji Glacier before the mighty North Face of the Matterhorn. This descent is truly a fitting finale to the Haute Route.

The satisfaction of completing a journey such as this, covering a total ascent and descent of around 8,000 vertical meters (over 26,000 feet) under one's own steam can add up to the experience of a lifetime.

The copyright of the article Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route in Cross-Country Skiing is owned by Lisa Auer. Permission to republish Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.