Haute Route · Chamonix — Zermatt

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

The most famous ski traverse in the Alps.

The classic Haute Route is a week on skis from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn across the glaciers and huts of the Valais. We take the seven-day version with a night at the Bertol hut so the days are more even and there is slack for weather. It is not a race but a long, beautiful passage through high country for people who ski confidently off-piste and know their way on skins.

• Seven days between Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn
• The Argentière, Dix, Vignettes and Bertol huts
• The Pigne d’Arolla, 3,796 m, on the way
• The descent into Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn

1. 01
   DAY 1 · +575 m / −750 m

   Grands Montets to the Argentière hut

   We meet in Chamonix in the morning and check avalanche kit. The Grands Montets lifts, a descent onto the Argentière glacier and the climb to the Argentière hut (2,771 m): +575 m, −750 m. Avalanche search practice by the hut in the afternoon.

   Overnight: Argentière hut, 2,771 m
2. 02
   DAY 2 · +1,100 m / −2,300 m

   Col du Chardonnet to Champex

   Up to the Col du Chardonnet (3,323 m) with an abseil onto the Swiss side, then the Fenêtre de Saleina and a long run down the Trient glacier to Champex (1,480 m): +1,100 m, −2,300 m. The longest day of the traverse.

   Overnight: Hotel in Champex
3. 03
   DAY 3 · +700 m / −900 m

   Verbier to the Prafleuri hut

   Transfer to Verbier and lifts to Mont Fort. Over the Col de la Chaux and Col de Louvie to the Prafleuri hut (2,662 m): +700 m, −900 m. A first look at the Dix reservoir country.

   Overnight: Prafleuri hut, 2,662 m
4. 04
   DAY 4 · +850 m / −400 m

   Along Lac des Dix to the Dix hut

   Over the Col des Roux (2,804 m), a traverse above the Lac des Dix and the climb up the Cheilon glacier to the Dix hut (2,928 m): +850 m, −400 m. The hut faces the north face of Mont Blanc de Cheilon.

   Overnight: Dix hut, 2,928 m
5. 05
   DAY 5 · +1,000 m / −640 m

   The Pigne d’Arolla and the Vignettes hut

   Up the Serpentine and the Brenay glacier to the Pigne d’Arolla (3,796 m), the high point of the week, then down to the Vignettes hut (3,160 m) on its rock perch: +1,000 m, −640 m.

   Overnight: Vignettes hut, 3,160 m
6. 06
   DAY 6 · +1,000 m / −1,050 m

   Three cols to the Bertol hut

   The Col de l’Évêque (3,392 m), Col du Mont Brûlé (3,213 m) and Col de Valpelline (3,568 m) with the Matterhorn ahead, then a short descent and climb to the Bertol hut (3,311 m): +1,000 m, −1,050 m. The ladders up to the hut are an experience in themselves.

   Overnight: Bertol hut, 3,311 m
7. 07
   DAY 7 · +450 m / −2,100 m

   Tête Blanche and the run to Zermatt

   Up to the Tête Blanche (3,710 m) and the long descent down the Stockji and Zmutt glaciers beneath the Matterhorn to Zermatt (1,608 m): +450 m, −2,100 m. Finish by lunchtime, trains out of Zermatt in the evening.

   Overnight: —