Haute Route Ski Tour
First travelled in January 1924 by Dr Payot, this traverse between the Mt Blanc massif and the Valaisannes Alps remains a point of reference in the catalogue of famous alpine routes. Although not technically demanding, the tour requires a good level of physical conditioning and a competent standard of ski touring. The passage over certain cols may necessitate the use of ropes and the carrying of skis. With stunning winter scenery, most notably the arrival in Zermatt at the foot of the north face of the Cervin (Matterhorn), this tour offers some of the undoubtedly most spectacular alpine images.
brief itinerary
DAY 1 Arrive Chamonix, trip briefing DAY 2 Off piste skiing in les Grands Montets DAY 3 Descend to Argentière glacier, climb Chardonnet Pass (3323m) (5-7 hrs) DAY 4 Ascend the Rosablanche (3336m) before reaching the hut (3-5hrs) DAY 5 Traverse above Dix Lake to the Pass du Chat (5-7hrs) DAY 6 Climb Serpentine pass (3423m) and Brenay Pass (3639m) (6-7hrs) DAY 7 Evêque pass (3392m) with views of the impressive Cardinal Glacier, followed by superb descent on Arolla glacier (6-7hrs) DAY 8 Cross the Mont Miné glacier to climb Tête Blanche (3724m) with extraordinary close up views of the Matterhorn. Herens pass (3462m) then final descent to Zermatt, trip concludes
trip dates
what's included
•7 breakfasts, 7 picnic lunches, 6 dinners •1 night 3 star hotel on twinshare basis with private facilities, 6 nights mountain huts in dormitory •highly qualified mountain guide •Grands Montets lift •taxi or bus Champex to Verbier •Verbier lift •group climbing equipment (ropes, shovel, probe etc) Note: optional 2 day ascent of Monte Rosa available on 25 Apr and 2 May departures - supplement applies
AT A GLANCE
countries involved:
france
switzerland
switzerland
trip activity:
ski touring
trip grading:
challenging
duration:
8 days
2010 price:
AU $3,290.00
