Ski tour | Valais Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt with a mountain guide

Probably the most famous ski crossing of the Alps: from Chamonix to Zermatt! In seven days over large glaciers and across the Valais high mountains on the border between Switzerland, France and Italy!

Technics

Endurance

To the dates and registration

The start and finish remain classic - from Chamonix to Zermatt. However, we have chosen the exact route so that we are a little off the beaten track. We will be travelling for seven days and staying overnight in six different huts. We will be self-catering in at least one of them, a very special and unique experience. The chosen route offers incredible insights into the world of glaciers and the mountains that harbour them. We will also enjoy the company, the stories that are told and the shared enthusiasm for ski touring.

Last year, photographer Joni Hedinger and Bianco magazine organised a Report on the Haute Route written. Take a look!

Tour programme and route
1. Day: Arrival in Argentiere, take the cable car up and after a great first descent we cross the Glacier d'Argentière to the Refuge d'Argentière
  
  Meeting point: 10.30 Argentiere railway station (easily accessible by train)
  
  Ascent: 650 metres
  
  Descent: 450 metres
  
  Distance: 5.8km
  
  Overnight stay: Refuge d'Argentière
2. Day: Ascent to the Col du Chardonnet and abseiling to the Swiss side. Glacier descent and short final ascent to the bivouac.
  
  Ascent: 1000hm
  
  Descent: 830 metres
  
  Distance: 8km
  
  Overnight stay: Bivouc de l'Envers des Dorées
3. Day: Long descent over the Glacier de Saleinaz and descent on foot to the water catchment where the taxi picks us up and takes us down into the valley. Ascent to the Cabane de Valsorey
  
  Ascent: 1300 metres
  
  Descent: 1400 metres
  
  Distance: 11km
  
  Overnight stay: Cabane de Valsorey
4. Day: Under the spell of the Grand Combin, we cross its south side: ascent with crampons to the Plateau du Couloir, glacier descent to the Glacier du Mont Durand and ascent to the Cabane de Chanrion.
  
  Ascent: 950 metres
  
  Descent: 1500 metres
  
  Distance: 11km
  
  Overnight stay: Cabane de Chanrion with a well-deserved duche!
5. Day: Around or on the Pigne d'Arolla: Ascent over the glacier to the Pigne d'Arolla or to one of the pre-summits, descent and short ascent to the imposing Cabane des Vignettes.
  
  Ascent: 1200 metres
  
  Descent: 550 metres
  
  Distance: 10km
  
  Overnight stay: Cabane des Vignettes
6. Day: A short descent to the Glacier du Mont Collon. Cross the glacier at sunrise to the summit of Pointes d'Oren. Wonderful descent over the Haut Glacier d'Arolla and finally a varied ascent to the Cabane de Bertol.
  
  Ascent: 1250 metres
  
  Descent: 1100 metres
  
  Distance: 13km
  
  Overnight stay: Cabane de Bertol
7. Day: Final stage over the summit of the Tête Blanche with a long and impressive descent over the Stockji Glacier and Tiefmatten Glacier to Furi near Zermatt. Thanks to the old pistes, there is still plenty of snow here! Banquet in Zermatt 😀
  
  Ascent: 600 metres
  
  Descent: 2000 metres
  
  Distance: 18km
  
  Closing approx. 14.00
Requirements
- Mastering the ski touring technique with its basics (skins, hairpin turns).
- Safe downhill technique in open terrain and in different types of snow.
- You have first experience with ice axe and crampons.
- Stamina for ski tours of around 1300 metres at a normal pace (~300-350m/h).
- In addition, there are sections where we carry the skis and trudge through the snow.
- This tour is not suitable with a splitboard.
Group size
- Takes place with up to 4-6 guests per guide.
Price and services
- CHF 2090.-
- Including accommodation costs with half board.
- Including planning and realisation with mountain guide and his travel expenses.
- Excluding travel expenses, possible train tickets, personal consumption.
Material and equipment
- We have for you a detailed packing list with packing tips compiled.
- For this tour you need the following material from this PDF. We carry our equipment with us all the time. Pack only what is necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, preferably directly at Jonas or via the Contact form.

That's what our guests say:

Fabian Steinegger
Only Bergschaft was enthusiastic from the very beginning about going to the Valais Haute with a group of splitboarders and skiers. In addition to the already very cool offer, you are always open to special requests. We were well looked after in the preparation phase, we were able to get to know each other on the test tour and were therefore well prepared for the tour. We experienced a wonderful and unforgettable week of mountaineering with fantastic conditions, cool people and top guides. A big thank you to Jasper, Alajuma, Flo and Jonas. We are already looking forward to the next tour with Bergschaft, the Uri Haute Route, with Jonas Alajuma. Ps: The tour mail is great
Dirk Rinker
I have the very best memories of the Valais Haute Route. It was such a great adventure with passion and joy. Great Job Bergschaft - See you again 💪🙏
Robert Brennwald
This was my 2nd time on a Haute Route with Bergschaft. First the Grisons, then the Valais. Both tours were super organised, super guided. The scenery, especially on the Valais Haute Route, was stunning. Even if the weather didn't always play ball, it was great fun in a group. Everyone pitched in at the bivouac, whether it was melting snow for soup, cooking or washing up, it was just great to be able to experience moments like this. Many thanks! I can only advise everyone to sign up and experience such unforgettable moments. I can highly recommend Bergschaft, everything is very professionally organised and run, for me it is clear that this will not be the last tour.