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Haute Route Ski Traverse - Day to Day Itinerary:

We offer two itineraries for the Haute Route Ski Traverse. Both trips take 7 days, but differ for the duration of 2 full and 2 half days starting day 3.

1) Verbier Variation: "The Regular Route": Most commonly done variation, stays north of the divide of the Alps in terrain less committing in terms of avalanche hazard and involves less technical difficulty and shorter days. On Day 3, the use of the gondola in Verbier makes gaining altitude easy. Guide to client ratio: 1:5. Total of 5100m = 16700 ft climb, 8360m = 27420' descent over 73.5 km = 46 miles

2)Valsorey Variation: "The Classic Route": Less popular nowadays, uses smaller huts and the route sticks closer (and south) to the divide of the Western Alps with more glacier travel than the "Regular", more vertical and longer days. This variation is suitable later in the season, when snowpack is more stable. No lift assistance. Crampons use and carrying of skis on your pack is often required when climbing from the Valsorey Hut to the Plateau de Couloir on Day 5. Guide to client ratio: 1:3.Total of 6000m = 19430' climb, 7600m = 25000' descent over 77 km = 48 miles.

Haute Route Regular Variation via Verbier (Classic Variation via Valsorey in Red)

Day 1: Airport pick-up in Geneva, drive to Argentiere in the Chamonix Valley (1.30 hrs driving time, Argentiere is about 10 min upvalley from Chamonix). Meeting with the guide(s), trip briefing, equipment check and dinner with the guide, lodging in our Hotel in Argentiere.

Day 2: Cable car to the Grand Montet (3300m) and avalanche transceiver excercise, descent to the Argentiere Glacier (about 2700m) and traverse across the glacier to the Argentiere hut (2770m=9085ft). 170m = 560' climb, 650m = 2130' descent, 4 km, 2.5 hrs. In the afternoon instruction on crampon use and kick turn refresher on the slopes around the hut.

Day 3: Climb up to the Col Du Chardonnet (3323m), which marks the border to Switzerland. Short descent and back up to the narrow notch of the Fenetre Saleina (3267m). Descending traverse to the Refuge Trient (3240m). 1000m = 3300' climb, 550m = 1800' descent, 10km, 6 hrs.

Day 4: Descent on the steep Trient Glacier to the Fenetre Chamois (2985m) and on through the Val Arpette. In the end along a largely level forest road to the little village of Champex (1470m). 1570m = 5150' descent, 9 km, 3 hrs.
This is where the Verbier and Valsorey itineraries split:

Verbier Variation: Taxi Ride to Orsieres and on to Verbier (1 hr). opprtunity to restock for lunch foods for the final part of the trip. Gondola Ride to the top of the Mont Fort. Drop off of backpacks as the Mont Fort Hut (after a 1000m = 3280' resort run) and opportunity to ski the resort of Verbier in the afternoon. Lodging in the Mont Fort Hut (showers available).
Valsorey Variation: Taxi Ride to Bourg St. Pierre (30 min) and lodging in town with an opportunity to buy lunch food etc. for the next few days.

Day 5:
Verbier Variation: The first hour of the trip follows a ski run, than in backcountry terrain to the via Col de la Chaux and Col de Momin to the summit of the Rosablanche. Great ski descent down the Prafleurie Glacier to the Prafleuri Hut.1100m = 3600' climb, 900m = 2950 descent, 10.5 km.
In stable conditions a strong group could also skip the Prafleurie Hut and descend and traverse directly in a long day to the Dix Hut (see day 6).
Valsorey Variation: Early start (later in spring you might have to carry your skis for the first hour or two) and ascent through the beautiful and quaint Valsorey to the relatively small Valsorey Hut (3037m = 9960ft.), 1400m = 4600' climb, 8km, 7 hrs.

Day 6:
Verbier Variation: Short climb to the Col du Roux, short descent and then follows a long level traverse above the Dix Lake. After about 2.5 hrs, we climb up to the Pas du Chat and on to the Dix Hut (2990m = 9800ft), probably the nicest of all huts along the Haute Route in spectacular setting. 800m = 2620' climb, 350m = 1150' descent, 9 km, 5 hrs. In the afternoon, optional ascent of La Luette, an easy ski touring peak with good views above the hut with a light pack.
Valsorey Variation: Steep climb ( usually crampons necessary while carrying the skis on your back!) to the Plateau du Couloir (3664m) and magnificent descent on the Durrand Glacier towards the Lac de Mauvoisin and back up to the Refuge Chanrion (2460m=8070ft). 940m = 3090' climb, 1510m = 4950' descent, 12km, 7 hrs.
Important: This is one of the crux days on the classic itinerary in remote terrain and requires both good weather and good snowpack stability. The Chanrion hut is very remote and hard to reach from the valley - that means there is no easy way out, should the weather deteriorate and preclude the group from continuing the Haute Route.

Day 7: Both Variations meet at the summit of the Pigne d'Arolla:
Verbier Variation: Spectacular climb through the rugged glacier to the Pigne D'Arolla 3800m and descent to the Vignette Hut (3157m = 10360 ft), 900m = 2950' climb, 640m = 1340' decent, 7km, 6 hrs.
Valsorey Variation: Summit day! Via the Glacier Brenay to the summit of the Pigne d'Arolla (3800m = 12500ft) with great views of the entire traverse. Descent to the Cabane Vignette (3185m=10450ft). 1330m = 4360' climb, 640m = 1340' descent, 10km, 7 hrs.

Day 8: Last day of both itineraries are identical, which is only one reason, why the Vignette Hut tends to be the busiest of all huts along the Haute Route. Today waits the famous Three-Col-Traverse with Matterhorn view, probably the best day of the whole trip! Via Col de l'Eveque (3392m), Col de Mont Brulee (3213m) and Col de Valpelline (3568m) and a long, glaciated descent underneath the impressive North Face of the Matterhorn all the way into Zermatt, where we lodge in a Hotel (your luggage will already be there). 1120m = 3675' climb, 2670m = 8760' decent, 25km, 8 hrs.

Day 9: Return by train or van to the Chamonix Valley or directly to the Airport in Geneva. Alternatively, we gladly help you to make arangements to stay in Zermatt to enjoy some of the word's best and most scenic resort skiing in Zermatt.

Optional Extension Day 9: Train to Gornergrat and by cable car to the Hohtaelli (3400m=11150ft).Traverse to the Stockhorn (Great views!). Descent on the Findelen Glacier. Steep ascent to the Adlerpass (3802m) and on to the summit of the Strahlhorn (4190m = 13750ft), descent all the way to the Britania Hut and on to the town of Saas Fee, where we lodge in a B&B or depending on the preferences of the group, return to the Chamonix Valley the same evening. 1180m = 3870' climb, 2800m = 9185' descent, 7-8 hrs.

Day 10: Return to the Chamonix Valley by Taxi-Van or Train or directly to the airport in Geneva.