Ski the Haute Route

This is the most famous ski tour in the world that traverses the Alps from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. What makes this trip unique is to ski for a week through jagged mountains carrying just a small pack. We’ll stay each night in a mountain hut.

Skill Level

Advanced ski ability.
Endurance for consecutive full days in the mountains.
Previous glacier travel experience is helpful, but not required.

Date

March and April 2027
Book with Joe by September so he can reserve the huts. They fill up!

Itinerary

The Haute Route has many options for routes and huts. The exact itinerary we use will depend on the hut availability, current weather, and the avalanche conditions.

Day 0: Welcome!

Get together in Chamonix for trip discussion, gear check, and dinner. Stay at a hotel in Chamonix.

Day 1: Vallée Blanche.

Day tour to warm up. We’ll take the Aiguille du Midi lift up 9,000’ and ski around the Vallée Blanche before making a long run down the Mer de Glace back to the Montenvers train and back to Chamonix. Skiing a circuit in the Aiguilles Rouges is another option. Stay at a hotel in Chamonix.

Day 2: Chamonix to Trient Hut.

After breakfast we’ll take a short bus ride up valley to Argentière and catch a lift and then skin to the top of Grand Montets. Several descents more ascents and descents from high passes will take us to the Trient Hut for the night.

Day 3: Trient to Mont Forte Hut.

We’ll ski from the Trient Hut down and over the Col des Ecandies and then down to the village of Champex. A taxi will take us to Verbier where we’ll take a lift to Mont Forte Hut.

Day 4: Monte Forte to Praflueri Hut.

A long day that winds through high valleys and peaks to the Praflueri Hut.

Day 5: Praflueri to Dix Hut.

After a short climb over the Col des Roux, we’ll traverse Lac des Dix and climb to Dix Hut.

Day 6: Dix to Vignettes Hut.

A big alpine day that crosses the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla before descending to the dramatically perched Vignettes Hut.

Day 7: Vignettes Hut to Zermatt.

Today we cross three passes including Col de l'Eveque (3392 m), Col du Mont Brule (3213 m), and Col du Valpelline (3568 m). The final descent starts from the Col du Valpelline on the side of the Tête Blanche. The long descent on the Stockji and Zmutt glaciers winds below the north face of the Matterhorn and finishes in Zermatt. Stay in Zermatt for our final dinner together.

Trip Rate

1 client: $11,000
2 clients: $6,000 each
3 clients: $4,500 each
4-8 clients: $4,000 each
See booking.

Includes

AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide Joe Stock. A second guide will be added over five clients.
Six nights hut fees including breakfast and dinner.
Two night hotel in Chamonix including breakfast.
Lifts and taxi while on the tour.
Gear shuttle from Chamonix to Zermatt.
Glacier rope.
Navigation, first aid, and repair kits.
Emergency shelter and communication.

Does Not Include

Personal gear. See Ski Gear List.
Transport to Chamonix and from Zermatt at the end.
Lodging in Zermatt.
Lunch, snacks and drinks on the tour. Breakfast and dinner are included with hut fees.
Costs from schedule change due to weather, avalanche conditions, or if you leave the trip.
Rescue insurance, required.
Trip cancellation insurance, recommended.