Ski the Haute Route

This is the most famous ski tour in the world that traverses the Alps from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. Making this trip unique is to ski through jagged mountains for a week, staying at mountain huts, and carrying just a small pack.

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 (full)
March and April 2028
Book with Joe by September so he can reserve the huts. They fill up!

Itinerary

The Haute Route has several common options for routes and huts. The exact itinerary we use will depend on the hut availability, current weather, and the avalanche conditions. Refer to this itinerary for elevations in feet. On the tour Joe will use metric because that’s the local system.

Day 0: Welcome!

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

Chamonix: 1,035 m (3,400’)

Day 1: Vallée Blanche.

Day tour to warm up and skills review. 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 on to Chamonix. Another option is to ski a circuit in the Aiguilles Rouges. During the day we will review kick turns, glacier travel, and avalanche rescue. Stay in Chamonix.

Max elevation: Aiguille du Midi 3,800 m (12,100’)

Vallée Blanche elevation change: +200 m (+500’), -1,900 m (-6,000’)

Distance: 11 km (8 miles)

Day 2: Chamonix to Albert Premier Hut.

After breakfast we’ll take a short bus ride up to Argentière and catch the Grand Montets lift to the mid station where our tour begins. We’ll skin across the Argentière Glacier, over Col du Passion, and across the Tour Glacier to the Albert Premier Hut for the night.

Elevation change: +900 m (+3,100’), -400 m (-1,300’)

Albert Premier Hut: 2,700 m (8,900’)

Distance: 8 km (5 miles)

Day 3: Albert Premier to Mont Forte Hut.

We’ll ski from the Albert Premier Hut over the Col du Tour, down and over the Col des Ecandies and then a long descent to the village of Champex. We’ll take a taxi to Verbier and a lift to the Mont Forte Hut at the edge of the ski resort.

Elevation change: +700 m (2,200’), -1,900 m (6,200’)

Mont Forte Hut: 2,400 m (8,000’)

Distance: 14 km (9 mi)

Day 4: Monte Forte to Praflueri Hut.

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

Elevation change: +1,100 m (+3,400’), -800 m (2,600’)

Praflueri Hut: 2,700 m (8,700’)

Distance: 11 km (7 mi)

Day 5: Praflueri to Dix Hut.

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

Elevation change: +1,000 m (+3,000’), -600 m(-2,000’)

Dix Hut: 2,900 m (9,500’)

Distance: 11 km (7 mi)

Day 6: Dix to Vignettes Hut.

A big alpine day that crosses the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla (3,800 m)before descending to the dramatically perched Vignettes Hut. In poor weather we may drop down to Arolla before climbing back up to the Vignettes.

Elevation change: +900 m (3,000’), -700 m (-2,200’)

Vignettes Hut: 3,100 m (10,300’)

Distance: 7 km (5mi)

Day 7: Vignettes Hut to Zermatt.

Today we cross three passes including Col de l'Eveque (3,392 m), Col du Mont Brule (3,213 m), and Col du Valpelline (3,568 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.

Elevation change: +1,200 m (+4,000’), -2,800 m (-9,000’)

Zermatt: 1,600 m (5,300’)

Distance: 28 km (18 mi)

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 Alps 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.