Guidebook
Switzerland's Best Secret: The Haute Route Imperiale
The "Royal" Ski Tour from the tranquil Val d'Anniviers to Zermatt.
Description
Covering much of the same terrain as the Tour du Ciel (albeit in the opposite direction), this is a wild and scenic tour through some of Switzerland's most beautiful mountains. It starts in the peace and quiet of the Val d'Anniviers (the valley that leads to the well known ski area of Zinal) and over 5 days takes you closer and closer to the Matterhorn until you ski right underneath it.
The huts en route are wild but welcoming, the skiing exciting without being scary, and the views are utterly epic throughout.
Haute Route Imperiale: Bella Tola to Turtman Hut
Haute Route Imperiale: Bella Tola to Turtman Hut
St. Luc & Chandolin
5 - 6 hrs
12.7 km
865 m
1,310 m
36 °
Day 1: Lift assisted approach to the Turtman Hut from St Luc
Severe
Private
Haute Route Imperiale: Turtmann Hut to Tracuit Hut via Brunegghorn
Haute Route Imperiale: Turtmann Hut to Tracuit Hut via Brunegghorn
7 - 8 hrs
12.9 km
1,816 m
1,087 m
47 °
Day 2: Turtmann Hut to Tracuit Hut via Brunegghorn
Difficult
Private
Haute Route Imperiale: The Bishorn and Arpitettaz Hut
Haute Route Imperiale: The Bishorn and Arpitettaz Hut
6 - 7 hrs
12.1 km
1,291 m
1,761 m
40 °
Day 3: Our high point of the week, the Bishorn at 4153m, followed by descent and one reascent to the Arpitettaz Hut at 2786m
Severe
Private
Haute Route Imperiale: Blanc de Moming to Mountet Hut
Haute Route Imperiale: Blanc de Moming to Mountet Hut
5 - 6 hrs
10.7 km
1,245 m
1,145 m
30 °
Day 4: Traverse of Blanc de Moming then to the Mountet Hut
Severe
Private
Haute Route Imperiale: Col Durand Traverse
Haute Route Imperiale: Col Durand Traverse
Le Mammouth
1 day +
20.5 km
1,234 m
2,507 m
31 °
Day 5: Traverse of Col Durand and descent to Zermatt.
Severe
Private