The Haute Route Ski Traverse

The Haute Route ski traverse from Chamonix to Zermatt is one of the classic ski tours in the world.   As you travel from the Arve valley and the Mont Blanc Massif to the Matterhorn, you will encounter spectacular scenery, stay in famous huts perched in the center of vast glaciers and ski from ridges that comprise the heart of the Alps.

There are many different itineraries available for the Haute Route and will depend on the ability level of the group.  The ideal trip begins at the Grand Montet lift out of Argentiere and ends skiing down the pistes beside the iconic Matterhorn.

Join Southwest Adventure Guides and IFMGA/UIAGM guide Mark Allen for this trip of a lifetime! 

*If our scheduled climbs do not fit your needs, we can also schedule private dates.

Sample Itinerary

Day 0: Fly to Chamonix, France from the US.
Day 1: From Chamonix we will take the Aiguille du Midi lift up the Mer de Glace.  From here we will either traverse the Vallee Blanche, taking the gondola back to Chamonix or ski down the Mer de Glace back to the valley.
Day 2: After breakfast in Chamonix we will transfer to Argentiere and take the Grand Montet lift up to the Argentiere Glacier.  After our descent, we will climb to the Col du Chardonet in route to the Trient Hut.
Day 3: Ski tour the Val d’Arpett and then take a bus to Verbier en route to the Mont Fort Hut.  Verbier is an excellent place to rest for lunch and take in the breathtaking scenery of the Alps.
Day 4: From the Mont Fort we summit the Rosa Blanche before descending to the Prafleuri Hut.
Day 5:  An excellent day of touring takes us to the Dix Hut.
Day 6:  From the Dix hut we will ski the flanks of the Pigne d’Arolla and down to the Vignettes Hut.
Day 7:  A long day will take us through three spectacular mountain passes and we will finish with a long run down in the shadow of the Matterhorn to Zermatt.
Day 8: Fly home to the US. If you have not had enough skiing, the option exists on this final day of the trip to ski the off piste terrain around the Matterhorn before returning home.

Additional Information

Cost Includes: Professional Guiding and Instruction by IFMGA/UIAGM guide Mark Allen. 2 nights accommodation in Chamonix. 1 night accommodation in Zermatt. 6 nights lodging in huts along the ski traverse, including breakfast and dinner. Lift/Tram tickets and bus transfers during the tour

Cost Does Not Include: International airfare. Personal equipment and clothing including tranceiver, shovel and probe. Rescue insurance. All beverages (in town and in huts). Town meals. Lunches for each day. Travel to Chamonix. Travel from Zermatt. Guide gratuities. Costs of a personal nature including cancellation or leaving early.

Travel & Insurance: All participants are expected to arrange their arrival and departure to and from Chamonix, France. Upon registration our office will provide you with all relevant travel information, as well as suggestions for obtaining addtional travel insurance.

Registration and Cancelation: You will need to fill out a Expedition Application, cancellation policy agreement and a liability waiver, and send it to us with a 50% deposit 60 days before trip date. Balance is due 30 days prior to trip departure date. Please click on our Registration/Travel link to access the required forms.

Prerequisites: Participants need to possess previous backcountry or off-piste skiing experience. Participants should be comfortable with the use of skins, beacons, and other related backcountry gear. Participants should feel comfortable on ski slopes up to 40 degrees.