Trient Hut to Champex
A big descent down the Val d'Arpette and out to Champex
Moderate Ski Touring
- Distance
- 8.2 km
- Ascent
- 41 m
- Descent
- 1.7 km
The Legendary Chamonix - Zermatt Haute Route Ski Tour
The most famous ski tour in the World, taking you from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn.
Ski Touring Moderate, Difficult
Also in Valais, Switzerland
Description
There are longer, tougher and more extreme ski tours out there but this route, from Chamonix to Zermatt, is without doubt the most celebrated and historic ski journey in the World. There are several variations on the route but this option (via Verbier) is one of the most aesthetic and logical ways to do the trip.
It's possible to ski the Haute Route throughout March and April and whilst you are unlikely to have it to yourself, the popularity of the route means that there will almost always be a skin track to follow and the prevalence of other skiers increases your safety margins somewhat. That said, the terrain is glaciated and much of it is quite featureless so to attempt this tour you need to be confident finding your way through serious, high mountain terrain in all conditions.
Provided you have the pre-requisite skills and experience, this adventure is well worth the hype. It starts under the highest mountain in the Alps, finishes under the most recognisable peak in the World and has some fabulous ski touring in between.
If you want to change things up a bit, check out our guidebooks to the 2 main Haute Route variants -
Routes included
Les Grands Montets to Trient Hut
The first day of the Alps' most famous ski tour
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 11 km
- Ascent
- 1.2 km
- Descent
- 1.3 km
Mont Fort Hut to Prafleuri Hut (via Rosablanche)
One of the big days on the Haute Route taking in the summit of the Rosablanche
Moderate Ski Touring
- Distance
- 10 km
- Ascent
- 1.1 km
- Descent
- 942 m
Prafleuri Hut to Dix Hut
A long traverse along the side of Lac des Dix to the well positioned Dix Hut
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 830 m
- Descent
- 569 m
Vignettes Hut - Zermatt
THE big day on the classic Haute Route all the way to Zermatt
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 28 km
- Ascent
- 1.3 km
- Descent
- 2.8 km
Dix Hut to Vignettes Hut
One of the major days on the classic Haute Route traversing the Pigne d'Arolla
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 7.7 km
- Ascent
- 965 m
- Descent
- 667 m
La Châble - Les Attelas - Mont Fort Hut
A short section linking the Verbier Lifts to the well situated Mont Fort Hut
Moderate Ski Touring
- Distance
- 2 km
- Ascent
- 61 m
- Descent
- 335 m
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