Summer haute route trek alpine ascents international. 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. The haute route was first crossed on foot by an english party, at the end of the nineteenth century, before being gradually linked together on skis in the first quarter of the twentieth century. The java does its job and raises us from our down cocoons. On most haute route trips, we stay in mountain huts for two consecutive nights, at louvie and prafleuri. 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. The haute route looks the most stunning, but im also one of those people who prefer solitude hiking. Our trips are all inclusive even the transport from zermatt is included. Ten of the 12 highest peaks in the alps, including mont blanc and the crooked spire of the matterhorn, rise along this magnificent high route, along with plentiful glaciers, cool mountain. Rooms are provided on a twin or occasionally triple or quad sharing basis, but if you wish to book a single room please let us know and we will confirm. Book your 2020 ski haute route tour now to receive a free rab superflux hoody worth 90gbp.
There are two main routes to choose from, the verbier route and the classic, both are around 180km long, some of this is covered by ski lift, some by. Which haute route trips include stays in mountain huts. Haute route advice from alpine guides the experts in. Join north cascades mountain guides, on what is surely a trip of a lifetime, the fabled european high route. Oct 31, 2017 the route is longer, boasts more elevation gain, remains higher, and negotiates steeper slopes than others in this nook of the cascades. Ski poles 3section collapsible poles are convenient for travel and packing optional climbing skins maximum width to shape of ski recommended ski strap to carry skis high quality rentals available at the back country reservation required 5305820909 ski mountaineering gear ski crampons must fit bindings and ski width. Warming up in chamonix then via trient champex montfort verbier rosablanche prafleuri dix pigne darolla nacamuli. Haute route ski tour north cascades mountain guides. 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.
This haute route variation is for expert skiers with lot of ski touring experience and very good level of fitness with strength and endurance. The haute route also meanders through green alpine valleys with flowercovered meadows and picture book villages. The route is longer, boasts more elevation gain, remains higher, and negotiates steeper slopes than others in this nook of the cascades. The haute route is a network of treasured alpine trails, not just a single path. On the first day of the haute routeone of the most challenging legstake the tram at the grand montets ski area up to 10,762 feet, which, on a clear day, offers a spectacular view of the. 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. A high alpine tour from chamonix to zermatt over a period of 7 days, the haute route ski traverse is the most renowned ski traverse in the world.
If youre not sure if your route follows hiking trails or includes sections i can support, check with me. Hikers should be prepared for 68 hours of travel a day with up to 3,000ft of vertical gain during a given day. Take on haute route, one of europes toughest and most iconic longdistance trails. Borrowing from his native lands most famous skimountaineering traverse, volken nicknames it the snoqualmie haute route. Peter cliff in his book the haute route describes the vignettes to zermatt day. A guide for skiers and mountain walkers by peter cliff is really good for describing most common variations of the haute route. Ski the haute route ski touring, chamonix to zermatt and. The skiers haute route salomon freeski tv s9 e7 youtube. The haute route is the classic ski touring adventure that links the two alpine centres of chamonixmont blanc in france and zermatt in switzerland.
Trek the haute route from chamonix to zermatt much. This book has sufficient information to allow you to make do without. On the deluxe haute route we skip the huts entirely and stay in small, chaletstyle hotels in mountain villages. Plan your summer adventure now on the chamonixzermatt haute route. It does not follow the same path as the summer hiking trail, instead, it takes a much more direct path by crossing glaciers and high altitude mountain ranges connecting the mont blanc massif to the matterhorn. Begin in verbier, switzerland and ski over five days to finish in zermatt. It does, however, require participants to be decent skiers. Skiing the haute route chamonix to zermatt tips for planning. The haute route ski tour with international alpine guides. The haute route diary of a ski touring virgin olly willans medium. Alpine ski mountaineering, vol 1 bill oconnor, published by cicerone. 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.
Join the arctic haute route to experience northern norways best ski destinations and sail the worlds most stunning coastline. Ride your haute route event with a frame designed for riders who love climbing and descending, equipped with a shimano ultegra di2 compact 11s with disc brakes, and bontrager pro 3 carbon wheelset. The haute route ski tour is a classic alps ski tour that every backcountry skier should experience. The haute route ski tour linking chamonix and zermatt in the western. The haute routes objective is to deliver an unparalleled professional experience for amateur cyclists. With the haute route dolomites, youll have the unique opportunity to pin on a number, test yourself, and compete with and against friends for bragging rights. Saturday to sunday, 7 full days skiing 1 more than a standard haute route introduction. 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. The walkers haute route is a 14 day trek from chamonix to zermatt, or in different words from the base of the mont blanc to the matterhorn, one of the most iconic mountains in the world. The walkers haute route aka the high route is a legendary high level trek, connecting chamonix and zermatt. It is located in a place where france, switzerland and italy meet.
In september 2018, my daughter and i communicated with the compagnie des guides, to enquire about, and book, the seven day chamonixzermatt haute route on skis, starting 16 march 2019. Skiing the haute route chamonix to zermatt tips for. This guidebook describes the 225km walkers haute route between chamonix and zermatt, one of the finest of all alpine treks. These include extending the tour to the swiss village of saas fee, which is the classic finish to the haute route. The most famous of all the ski touring trips in the world, right here chamonixzermatt, an extraordinary trip through the heart of the alps glaciers. Apr 11, 2020 the haute route is the classic ski touring adventure that links the two alpine centres of chamonixmont blanc in france and zermatt in switzerland. The haute route also meanders through green alpine valleys with flowercovered meadows and picturebook villages. 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. The route traverses below the summits of 10 out of the 12 of the highest peaks in the alps, and crosses several high passes. Choose your bike now, you will be able to select the size of the frame and cassette in your customer account.
The haute route season runs from midmarch to the end of april this is when the glacier and snow conditions are generally best for the route and therefore when the mountain huts are open, along with all the uplift and other infrastructure supporting the route we are often asked when in the season its best to go, so its important to understand that. The haute route is not an extreme ski route in any way. The haute route is the most famous ski tour in the world and with good reason. 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. Walkers haute route chamonix to zermatt complete guide. It is a legendary high alpine journey linking two historic alpine centres, chamonix in france and zermatt in switzerland. 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. The haute route, as the chamonixzermatt crossing is sometimes called, was first skied in 1911 and remains the most iconic of the. This is a useful guidebook if you plan on doing other tours in the alps as well as the haute route nb many of the tours described are excellent, but some are focussed more on climbing objectives than skiing. It is a traverse of the western alps from chamonix mt blanc to zermatt. Four days of unforgettable summit to sea ski touring organised by certified guides. Socks generally you will want to fit your boots with one medium sock, or. The custom maps are for haute route hiking trails which stay below 3,000m, not skitouring or mountaineering trails.
The kev reynolds book by the way was written more than 20 years ago, when the walkers haute route was more of a novelty. The walkers haute route is a 14 day trek from chamonix to zermatt, or in different words from the base of the mont blanc to the matterhorn, one of the most iconic mountains in the world it is located in a place where france, switzerland and italy meet. I had the opportunity to complete the haute route with some of my closest friends over a 5 day tour earlier this month. The haute route is a worldclass ski tour through the european alps. The haute route watopia will challenge you on 3 epic roads. Walking holidays along the haute route an introduction to walking the haute route the haute route high route from chamonix to zermatt is steeped in mountaineering legend, a route first taken by british climbers at the end of the 19th century located in the scenic swiss canton of valais. Alpine treks specialise in the walkers haute route and offer a large choice of guided and selfguided haute route walking holidays in 2020. Designed to fit into a twoweek holiday, the trek is described in 14 stages of 9 to 23km. It is also a stop on the ski touring haute route route which is evident by the photos decorating the dining room walls celebrating past alpine adventurers who have made the journey. 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. Experience the remote wonder of the alps as you trek from chamonix to zermatt through traditional villages and past the famous matterhorn. 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. The haute route is a lifetime trip for those who love to ski, combining adventure with unsurpassed beauty. This article by alexandre buisse was originally published on switchback travel in 2012, and weve kept it on the site due to.
Ski the haute route ski touring, chamonix to zermatt and variants. 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. The terrain on the haute route is steep, rocky, and rugged in places, but the trail is generally well marked, groomed, and graded. Alpine treks specialise in the walkers haute route and offer a large choice of guided and selfguided haute route walking holidays in 2020 starting at the foot of mont blanc and finishing at the foot of the matterhorn, this tour scales high mountain passes across the french and. The haute route, as the chamonixzermatt crossing is sometimes called, was first.
How far ahead to book accommodations walkers haute route. However, the positive assessment extends to the ski section, as well. Haute route verbier route the haute route is one of the most famous highalpine ski or snowboard traverses in the world offering epic riding, awesome hut lodges, and unbeatable vistas. How do i book the haute route and when should i book it. Haute route ski guide is a complete guide to a winter traverse of the famous haute route. Ski the haute route guide updated for 2020 ski weekend. Crossing some of the most spectacular mountain terrain anywhere on earth, this route travels through high mountain passes and wild broken glaciers. First charted as a summer mountaineering route by members of the english alpine club in the mid19th century, the route takes around 12 days. The haute route started as a mountaineering trail connecting two great mountaineering centres. From training to last minute onsite details, the haute route is always at your side.
The main haute route season runs from mid march to late april when the mountain huts are open and the glaciers are safely snowcovered. Stunning, steep, and legendary, the iconic climbs in the dolomites draw cyclists from all over the world. The ski touring haute route noted above is still a famous multiday journey between chamonix and zermatt. The journey connects long alpine ski runs over glaciated terrain with descents from high peaks and cols. Feb 02, 2016 for mike douglas and alexis godbout, a ski touring trip through switzerlands urner alps was about much more than simply exploring a beautiful mountain range on skis.
As a result, no one offers more options for hiking the haute routeboth on guided and selfguided hiking tours. We run these trips in smaller groups, maximum 4 skiers per guide. The haute route season runs from midmarch to the end of april this is when the glacier and snow conditions are generally best for the route and therefore when the mountain huts are open, along with all the uplift and other infrastructure supporting the route. The haute route ski tour is the most famous ski tour in the world and a classic mountain journey. The three sisters, tour of fire and ice and the pretzel. The haute route is arguably the most famous ski journey in the world. This is a world of glaciers and towering, snowcapped peaks.
The haute route trek is by no means difficult or strenuous. The haute route ski tour is the most famous ski tour in the alps and is a must for any enthusiastic ski tourer. 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. The haute route ski tour traverses exceptionally high terrain and its popular reputation is fully justified on account of the fabulous mountain scenery you pass through. The mountain hut system allows us to carry lightweight packs and lets our bodies rest and recover in the evening with a cozy setting. First successfully completed in 1911, the haute route ski tour is probably the most famous and coveted ski tour in the world. Whilst the haute route is undoubtedly very popular, our carefully selected route allows you to enjoy all the high points of the verbier variation but avoid overtrafficked areas. Huts offer comfortable accommodation and hearty meals in an exquisite. Specialist ski touring boots and skis tend to weigh less than hybrids and so are. The celebrated haute route is a spectacular highlevel hiking traverse across the french and swiss alps from chamonix, france, to zermatt, switzerland. 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. European haute route equipment list skiing gear alpine. Haute route guided skiing from chamonix to zermatt via verbier. This means not only delivering first class hospitality and event management, but all the key ingredients that make up the culture and experience of professional road racing.
Haute route advice from alpine guides ski tours, rock. For mike douglas and alexis godbout, a ski touring trip through switzerlands urner alps was about much more than simply exploring a beautiful. Another great option is taking advantage of the lifts and skiing down into italy, enjoying lunch in the ski town of cervinia, then back again into switzerland to finish the day. The most famous ski tour of them all, the haute route winds its way through some of the grandest scenery in the alps. Whether you are registered for one of our events or not, find out everything you need inside the riders corner. Borrowing from his native lands most famous ski mountaineering traverse, volken nicknames it the snoqualmie haute route. Ive skied and climbed with most of these gents approaching 40 years during which time we often talked about a trip to europe to ski the much coveted high route across the western alps from chamonix to zermatt. 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. For those interested in a european ski traverse, the haute route is the. You often need a very flexible approach to make the most of an haute route tour, so please embrace this element of ski touring and dont book. Time to don the ski gear and rucksack, shoulder skis, stop at the patisserie for a. If you use tele gear be sure your boot crampons can be securely fitted to your boots. Although its been updated since, i dont know how reliable or. Ski touring has been a popular sport in the alps for a long time.
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