Apr 11, 2020 ski the haute route as a private trip. We run this haute route trip at a low skier to guide ratio of 4. The haute route is a lifetime trip for those who love to ski, combining adventure with unsurpassed beauty. Hotel or pension in chamonix, mountain huts during the tour. Our route follows the classic trek across the swiss alps starting in chamonix at the base of mont blanc, western europes highest peak, and concluding in zermatt at the base of the matterhorn, the worlds most recognizable and stunningly beautiful peak. The summer glacier haute route follows a similar path to the ski tour mentioned above. The lifts provide easy access to the mountain wilderness that make this region special. There are 3 main route options for the haute route. Each date has 3 places available at the standard price, and 3 at the discount price until the early booking period expires. The haute route is most likely the single most famous ski traverse in the alps. It is a legendary high alpine ski tour linking two historic alpine centres, chamonix and zermatt.
First time on the haute route, part 1 the backcountry. The iconic skiers haute route from chamonix to zermatt dates back to 1911 and requires little introduction. Located in a much quieter part of the central swiss alps, this tour links two smaller but legendary deepsnow ski towns engelberg and andermatt. European haute route ski tour 2017 colorado mountain club. The haute route is the classic hiking and trekking route leading from chamonix, france to zermatt, switzerland, like mont blanc to the matterhorn. Explore what chamonixs slopes have to offer while sharpening up some skills. Since then i have have skiied it in its three main variations many times and always enjoy being in the big mountains traversing the most spectacular part of the alps between chamonix and. I first skiied the haute route in 1981 and was very impressed by it as a skitour. Book your 2020 ski haute route tour now to receive a free rab superflux hoody worth 90gbp. Its the most scenic trek in europe and no other outfitter, guide service, or tour operator has more experience on the haute route.
The cable car to the grands montets gives us a good start and tourers ski down to the argentiere glacier. The haute route high route is a world class ski tour through the heart of the western alps that begins in verbier taking us over five days to finish in zermatt. It does, however, require participants to be decent skiers. We aim to ski the classic valley blanc before staying a night in chamonix. The haute route is arguably the most famous ski journey in the world. This great journey traverses glaciers and high passes through the very heart of the alps, taking in such peaks as the rosa blanche and pigne darolla. He has a habit of doing this and i am the first to admit that i have often questioned the reason one would go to such great lengths to track a route. Volume 1, western alps by bill oconnor is a must if you think that skiing the haute route will lead to other european ski tours. Each tripdate has 6 places in total, and is confirmed to run upon the third place being. The season starts in early march and runs through the end of. The haute route is a worldclass ski tour through the european alps.
Ski touring is a great way to access nature as it was intended to be seen. High route but the original one that has been going for close to 100 years and rightly known as the haute route is the one going between two very famous ski towns of chamonix and zermatt. Chamonixzermatt haute route ski tour nw mountain school. Plan your summer adventure now on the chamonixzermatt haute route. Bursting with stunning mountain scenery, gnarly ascents and endless descents, the haute route has become an alltime classic and a mustdo for serious ski tourers. Advice on skiing the haute route the haute route ski tour linking chamonix and zermatt in the western european alps is without doubt the most famous ski tour in the world. This ski tour from chamonix to zermatt, also known as the high level route, is without a doubt the most famous and the most spectacular hut to hut ski tour in the world, and rightly so. The night is spent in a hut gite close to champexlac. Not including travel time from and to your location. It is infact a fairly challenging tour with some big days and steep terrain and therefore is suitable for folk with some previous ski touring experience and a good level of fitness ability to sustain an ascent. Ski touring in chamonixmontblanc routes and itineraries. It is a legendary high alpine journey linking two historic alpine centres, chamonix in france and zermatt in switzerland. This is undoubtedly one of the worlds most spectacular ski tours, and with the support of the french and swiss alpine club, huts can be comfortably achieved by most advanced skiers. Skiers should feel comfortable ascending and descending 3,000 4,000 feet per day.
The haute route ski tour is a classic alps ski tour that every backcountry skier should experience. If you are travelling with a group of friends or just wish to ski the haute route on your own, let us know. It is a long, tough and highly rewarding ski journey taking an aesthetic line through stunning alpine touring terrain and linking the worlds two best known alpine resorts, chamonix and zermatt. Advice on skiing the haute route ski touring, freeride. This is undoubtedly one of the worlds most spectacular ski tours, and with the support of the french and swiss alpine club, huts can. The haute route looks the most stunning, but im also one of those people who prefer solitude hiking. Some climbing skills required, as tour will may include some sections of roped glacier travel andor short rappels of technical descent sections. You need to be quick and efficient in skinning, be confident to do kick turns on varied and steep terrain. The haute route ski tour is the most famous ski tour in the world and a classic mountain journey.
To take part you should be at fitness level 34 and tech level 34 see our fitnessexperience guidelines below. First time on the haute route, part 1 the backcountry ski. The haute route by peter cliff provides an extremely accurate description of an alpine expedition. The haute route high route is a world class skitour through the heart of the western alps that begins in verbier taking us over five days to finish in zermatt. Starting in chamonix, france and ending in zermatt, switzerland, you will see enough of the alps to create memories that will last a lifetime the haute route is not an easy traverse. Skiing the haute route chamonix to zermatt tips for. European haute route equipment list skiing gear alpine touring skis 90mm 100mm waist alpine touring bindings dynafit or fritschi or telemark skis 90mm 100mm waist telemark binding preferable a telemark touring binding allowing resistancefree pivot for touring black diamond 01, g3 targa ascent or targa ascent ss, 7tm.
Haute route ski tour 2020 dates northwest mountain school. Haute route ski tour haute route literally means high road and is the tour that runs from chamonix, france to zermatt, switzerland, the two most important centers of alpine climbing in europe. The grand lui haute route ski tour is an advanced level trip. Each date has 3 places available at the standard price, and 3 at. You should have several weeks previous hut to hut ski touring experience. You should have already completed at least one huttohut ski tour. Connecting the two alpine centres of chamonix and zermatt, the route offers everything youd expect on a high mountain ski tour with glacial terrain every day, amazing scenery, tough climbs and big ski descents.
If you choose to use nonreleasable telemark or snowboard bindings, you must accept the additional risk. It is a traverse of the western alps from chamonix mt blanc to zermatt. From there the route ascends to the spectacular col du chardonnet 3323m which leads to the saleina gl. The haute route is not an extreme ski route in any way. However, the positive assessment extends to the ski section, as well. Most of this journey will be spent above 2,800m 9,200ft so a strong level of fitness is required. European haute route equipment list skiing gear alpine. Participants will depart on or before 31 march 2017, to arrive at geneva airport by the morning of 1 april and taking a shuttle or train to chamonix.
Saturday to sunday, 7 full days skiing 1 more than a standard haute route introduction. It was first completed as a glacier trek during the summer of 1861 by the british alpine club, then first skied in 1903 by a group of frenchmen who translated the name to the haute route ski tour. Mountaineering experience is also necessary to complete this trip as you need solid knowledge of the alps, the weather, and especially how to travel. First time on the haute route, part 2 the backcountry ski. The classic route included diagrams, photos, and narratives and offered sufficient information for us, as an unguided group of five, to navigate our way successfully from chamonix to zermatt in the anticipated eight days july 17july 24, 2001.
First time on the haute route, part 2 the backcountry. The book does not include any coverage beyond the haute route, so if you intend to do day tours in chamonix to warm up or in zermatt before continuing on to saas fee, then look elsewhere. May 16, 2012 scott we did the route from 2327 mar of this year. It finishes with a stunning ski descent underneath the magnificent north face of the matterhorn and of course a. Rich in climbing and skiing history, this point to point tour takes 6days and generally starts in chamonix, france. Haute route guided ski tour chamonix experience mountain. In this european alps ski tour, we traverse the spectacular alpine ski touring terrain from the mont blanc massif in chamonix to the matterhorn in zermatt through the heart of the valais alps of switzerland. We will be delighted to organise a custom made, private haute route guided ski tour for you. This version of the haute route is the hardest ski tour we offer. There are constantly changing views of mont blanc, matterhorn, grand combin and. The haute route is the most famous ski tour in the world and with good reason. The haute route ski tour is the most famous ski tour in the alps. Do you prefer the group comradery of a guided tour chamonix to zermatt haute route, additional luxury deluxe haute route or to have the trails to yourself selfguided haute route. With my antisocial streak and limited time i think ill do a small up to five day section of the hr to get a taste and spend a bit longer on the gr5 andor in the pyrenees.
First charted as a summer mountaineering route by members of the english alpine club in the mid19th century. First pioneered as a walking route in 1861, it is nowadays most commonly done on skis as a. This article by alexandre buisse was originally published on switchback travel in 2012, and weve kept it on the site due to the incredible imagery and inspirational value. First successfully completed in 1911, the haute route ski tour is probably the most famous and coveted ski tour in the world. Haute route ski tour north cascades mountain guides. Experience in using boot crampons, ski crampons and ice axe. The urner haute route is one that will satisfy those looking for both great skiing and breathtaking scenery. Select number of skiers joining, your chosen date, then proceed to register your details and pay deposit. Warming up in chamonix then via trient champex montfort verbier rosablanche prafleuri dix pigne darolla nacamuli zermatt. Participants on the haute route ski tour should be advanced intermediate or stronger skiers, have a high level of cardio vascular fitness, and have experience skiing in the backcountry. They will be keen to help you progress individually during the haute route chamonix to zermatt ski touring. Ski the haute route ski touring, chamonix to zermatt and.
The massif is a vast area of spectacular, glaciated mountains. Using high mountain huts to allow skiers to stay high and cover substantial distances, it winds through the highest, most dramatic peaks of the alps from mont blanc to the matterhorn. Chamonix zermatt haute route trip 2226 april 2002 there are several ski tours using the name haute route ie. The haute route ski tour is the most famous ski tour in the alps and is a must for any enthusiastic ski tourer. The most famous ski touring route in the world, the haute route is the definitive way to see the alps. With the necessary equipment and a bit of hard work, riders will be. Chamonix to zermatt haute route plateau du couloir route. The low ratio increases security on steep ground and allows us to better customize the trip to the groups needs.
The col du chardonnet is not the bestplace to learn how to kick turn. Ski the haute route ski touring, chamonix to zermatt and variants. Hiking on the haute route with alpenwild is the trip of a lifetime. Walkers haute route chamonix to zermatt complete guide. Haute route guided skiing from chamonix to zermatt via verbier. The journey connects long alpine ski runs over glaciated terrain with descents from high peaks and cols. The haute route or highlevel route is a six day traverse across the mountains and glaciers between chamonix and zermatt and is sometimes continued to saas fee. The haute route ski tour with international alpine guides.
European haute route equipment list skiing gear alpine touring skis 90mm 100mm waist. Do you prefer the group comradery of a guided tour chamonix to zermatt haute route, additional luxury deluxe haute route or to have the trails to yourself selfguided haute. The haute route is not an ideal beginners ski tour, partly because it has a long and tough first day from chamonix. Begin in verbier, switzerland and ski over five days to finish in zermatt. Chamonixzermatt haute route ski tour gps track two years ago our hightech friend, tor lundgren, carried a gps the entire way from chamonix to zermatt as we skied the haute route. They will be keen to help you progress individually during the haute route chamonix to zermatt ski touring this 6 days journey across the splendors of the high mountains will forever transform you. The haute routeor the high route or mountaineers routeis the route, with several variations, between chamonix in france and zermatt in switzerland, usually done on foot or on skis. Relaxing in the octagon dining area of the spectacular bertol hut, i spent a few minutes thumbing through the huttenbuch the huts visitor log, mystified that so few americans had marked their passage through this amazing spot.
The tour begins in argentiere, 5km up valley from chamonix. I think that time frame is the heart of the envelope for the haute route. Total distance is about 120kms and there are 6,000m of ascent and descent. Arrive and check in to your hotel in chamonix in the early evening we will have a meeting to check kit, talk about expectations for the week, weather and conditions. A guide for skiers and mountain walkers by peter cliff is really good for describing most common variations of the haute route. Join north cascades mountain guides, on what is surely a trip of a lifetime, the fabled european high route. Mar 29, 2020 very good ski touring experience is also required. Haute route ski tour alpine guides ltd reservations. Chamonix zermatt is the most famous and sought after tour in the world.
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