Haute Route

29th March 2009

Over 70% of the route is uphill, with skiers climbing 28,000 feet in the six or so days it takes to climb, ski and hike from Chamonix to Zermatt.

Haute Route

Originally dreamt up in 1911 by some British Skiers. The route is possible from late March to May.. but when we say possible.. only half of the skiers manage to complete the route.

You need to have special touring ski's that are wider than normal skis. You have skins that you can put on the skis to allow them to grip in one direction (up) but be smooth in the other. Avalache training and gear is essential. Your kitbag should include avalance transceivers, collapsible probe, shovel, crampons and climbing harness.

For those crazy enough to want to try, these are the more usual routes.

Verbier Variation:

The purest skiing line, and the most frequently done.

    * Day 1: Argentière, France, over the Col du Chardonnet and the Fenetre du Saleina to the Trient Hut.
    * Day 2: Champex-Lac via the Val d'Arpette. Bus or taxi to Verbier and the Mont Fort hut.
    * Day 3: Over the Rosablanche to the Prafleuri hut.
    * Day 4: Around Dixence reservoir and up to the Dix hut.
    * Day 5: Over the Pigne d'Arolla to the Vignettes Hut.
    * Day 6: A long day to Zermatt over the Col de l'Eveque, Col du Mont Brulé and Col de Valpelline, then a long descent under the shoulder of the Matterhorn and Dent d'Herens.
    * Day 7: Optional extension to Saas-Fee over the Adler Pass.

Classic Route:

The winter Haute Route's original line which involves long climbs and mountaineering with ice axe and crampons.

    * Day 1: Argentiere village, France, over the Col du Chardonnet and the Fenetre du Saleina to the Trient hut.
    * Day 2: Champex-Lac via the Val d'Arpette. Bus or taxi to Bourg-St.Pierre.
    * Day 3: Long climb up to the Valsorey hut on the shoulder of Grand Combin.
    * Day 4: Over the Plateau du Couloir and down the Glacier du Mont Durand to the Chanrion hut.
    * Day 5: A long climb up the Otemma Glacier to the Vignette hut.
    * Day 6: A long day to Zermatt over the Col de l'Eveque, Col du Mont Brulé and Col de Valpelline, then a long descent under the shoulder of the Matterhorn and Dent d'Herens.

Grande Lui variation:

A longer, harder, more technical route that eliminates the road break of the Verbier and Classic variations.

    * Day 1: Argentiere village, France, over the Col du Chardonnet and the Fenetre du Saleina to the Trient hut or down to the Bivouac Dorés.
    * Day 2: Over the Grande Lui through the Col du Saleina or around it via the Swiss Three Cols and a long descent to the village of La Fouly.
    * Day 3: Up the Val Ferret and over to Grand St. Bernard Hospice.
    * Day 4: Down to Super St. Bernard and over the shoulder of Mont Vélan to the Vélan Hut.
    * Day 5: Up the Grand Combin and over the Plateau du Couloir, down the Glacier du Mont Durand to the Chanrion hut.
    * Day 6: A long non-technical climb up the Otemma glacier or a stiffer climb over Les Portons to the Vignette hut.
    * Day 7: A long day to Zermatt over the Col de l'Eveque, Col du Mont Brulé and Col de Valpelline, then a long descent under the shoulder of the Matterhorn and Dent d'Herens.
    * Day 8: Optional extension to Saas-Fee over the Adler Pass.

Backward Version


    * Day 1: From Zermatt under the Matterhorn up to the Schonbiel Hut.
    * Day 2: Over the Col de Valpelline and up to the Bertol Hut.
    * Day 3: Down then up over Col Collon to the Vignettes Hut.
    * Day 4: Over the Pigne d'Arolla and down Les Portons to Chanrion Hut.
    * Day 5: Across the Otemma Gorge, up & over into the Aosta Valley. Hitchhike to La Palud.
    * Day 6: Ride the lift to the Vallee Blanche. Descend to Montanvers and ski or take the cog train out to Chamonix.



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