|
Itinerary
Travel Information: From the U.S. we advise you to fly into Geneva, Switzerland. Plan your arrival in Geneva no later than the morning on Day 1 or the previous day. From Geneva you will travel by train or bus to Chamonix. Tickets can be purchased at the airport upon arrival in Geneva. Your return flight should depart Geneva late afternoon/evening on day 11.
Meals provided are listed as B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner) at the end of each day. You will be responsible for those meals not listed.
Day 1: Depart from home.
Day 2: Hotel Gustavia, Chamonix – Check in to your hotel and get organized for tomorrow’s departure. Chamonix is a beautiful, quaint French town with Mt. Blanc rising above. The resort ski town offers many nice shops and restaurants.
Day 3: Mountain Madness service begins/ Albert Premier Hut – Meet in Chamonix. Discuss route plan and review equipment. Ride cable car to Charamillon-Col de Balme lift and hike to the Albert Premier hut (9,065 ft., 2484m) where we have the opportunity for practicing skills on glacier. B, D
Day 4: Mountaineering Skills/ Albert Premier Hut – We spend the day on the glacier practicing more movement and rope handling skills in preparation for the rest of traverse. B, D
Day 5: D’Orny Hut – Today we cross glaciated terrain to reach the Col du Tour. There will be an opportunity to try for the summit of the Aiguille du Tour. We then continue to the hut. B, D
Day 6: Chanrion Hut – Descend to the Val d'Arpette to the quaint village of Champex situated by a pristine alpine lake. We will hike under the Grand Combin (14,115ft., 4314m) to cross the Val des Bagnes to reach the Chanrion Hut (8,050ft.,2462m) B, D
Day 7: Vignettes Hut – Descend from the hut south east to the foot of the Otemma Gorge. Once on the glacier, we head up and over the Col de Chermontane to the Vignettes Hut (10,340ft.,3160m). From the hut there is beautiful view back down the glacier with snow covered mountains in the distance. B, D
Day 8: Bertol Hut – Today we will descend slightly before climbing over the Col d‘Eveque (11,095ft.,3392m).We descend and cross the Glacier to reach the Bertol hut (9,750ft.,2980m). The hut is situated in a brilliant alpine setting over looking magnificent rock spires and the glacier. B, D
Day 9: Schönbiel Hut – Cross Col De Tete Blanche and climb to the summit. Head down the Stockji Glacier to the Stockji and head to the Schönbiel hut (8,810ft.,2694m) and enjoy the sunset on the Matterhorn. B, D
Day 10: Zermatt – We descend through alpine meadows to the German style village of Zermatt. We will have the opportunity to photograph the world famous Matterhorn, (14,700ft , 4480 m.). Tonight we will enjoy our final night together in Zermatt. End of Mountain Madness service
Day 11: Departure – Return to Chamonix or depart back home.
Day 12: Arrive home
NOTE ON ITINERARY: Although we do our best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
HAUTE ROUTE SKI TRAVERSE
2009 Dates (12 days; includes travel to and from Europe, 8 days on tour): March 22 – April 2, 2009
Land Costs: $2,900; (Minimum 4 members)
Skiing Grade: Advanced / Climbing Grade: Beginner. For training ideas visit our ski page.
Included in cost: 4-5 nights alpine huts, group gear, cable car & bus fees, breakfast & dinner at the huts, breakfasts at hotels, and guides.
Not included in cost: International airfare, train to/from Chamonix and Zermatt, unscheduled meals and hotel accommodations, lunches, all in-town restaurant lunches and dinners, personal gear, alcoholic beverages and drinks at huts additional charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Mountain Madness, and staff/guide gratuities.
The Haute Route is a classic tour through the heart of the Western Alps and some of its most stunning scenery. First completed in 1860, this high-level mountain traverse covers over 75 miles of alpine terrain, crosses over 12 different glacier systems, and connects the two major mountain centers - Chamonix, France and Zermatt, Switzerland.
This route is perhaps the most famous ski tour in the world. There are few places in the world where skiers can travel unencumbered, in the heart of the mountains, over high cols, hidden valleys, and immense glaciers. The huts in the Alps allow us to enjoy the skiing as only traveling light can. You'll witness an amazing mixture of cultures while staying in these huts as you socialize with ski mountaineers from around world who are also taking on the challenge of the Haute Route.
The Haute Route is a tour for skiers with advanced skills who are able to ski in variable snow conditions. Skiers should be able to ski "off piste" in all types of ungroomed snow. Also, for our climbs skiers should be able to execute uphill kick-turns without difficulty. This is a challenging tour which requires skiers to be in excellent shape not just for the downhill skiing but also for the uphill sections. A basic knowledge of general mountaineering techniques is helpful but not necessary. Any specialized mountaineering techniques required for this tour can be learned from Mountain Madness Guides during the first couple days of the trip. We will meet in Chamonix on the afternoon or evening before the tour begins to answer questions, begin packing and finalize other logistics.
Highlights:
-
Savor the delights of the Alps from the comforts of the charming French and Swiss alpine hut system, which offer warm beds, fully catered meals and wine.
-
Ski 4-8000 feet descents to remote huts, while crossing high mountain passes amid amazing scenery including Mont Blanc and the world famous Matterhorn. Maximum altitude reached is 11,460 feet.
-
Suitable for advanced to expert skiers.
HAUTE ROUTE SKI TRAVERSE ITINERARY
We advise you to fly into Geneva, Switzerland. Plan your arrival in Geneva no later than the afternoon on Day 2. From Geneva you will travel by train or bus to Chamonix. Tickets can be purchased at the airport upon arrival in Geneva. Your return flight should depart Geneva late afternoon/evening on day 11. Included in the cost of your trip are hut breakfast and dinners. Meals provided are listed as B, L, and D at the end of each day.
Day 1: Depart from home.
Day 2: Hotel Gustavia, Chamonix – Check in to your hotel and get organized for tomorrow’s departure. Chamonix is a beautiful quaint French town with many great shops and restaurants.
Day 3: Vallée Blanche ski descent.– Meet in Chamonix. Discuss route plan and review equipment. Ride Aiguille du Midi and ski the Vallee Blanche where we have the opportunity for practicing skills on glacier. Night in Chamonix B, D
Day 4: Trient Hut – Today we ride the tram at the Grand Montet and cross the Argentiere Glacier to reach the Col du Chardonnet.. We cross the Fenetre de Saleina then continue to the Trient Hut (10,370ft.,3170m). B, D
Day 5: Champex – Cross Col des Ecandies (9,145 ft., 2796m), descend to the Val d'Arpette to the quaint village of Champex situated by a pristine alpine lake. We will take a short break from the alpine environment and bus to Bourg St. Pierre. We spend the night in Bourg St. Pierre and enjoy the comforts of the Swiss village. B
Day 6: Valsorey Hut – Today we will hike under the Grand Combin (14,115ft., 4314m) and climb over 4,000 feet to reach the Valsorey Hut (8,050ft.,2462m) B, D
Day 7: Chanrion Hut – Today we will climb over the Plateau du Couloir, the Col du Sonadon and ski down the Durrand glacier to reach the Chanrion Hut (8,050ft.,2462m) B, D
Day 8: Vignettes Hut – Traverse high above the village of Arolla to the Vignettes Hut (10,340ft.,3160m). From the hut there is beautiful view back down the glacier with snow covered mountains in the distance. B, D
Day 9: Zermatt– Today we will descend slightly before climbing over the Col de‘Eveque (11,095ft.,3392m).We descend and cross the Glacier to cross Col du Mt. Brulé (10,510ft.,3213m) to the Col du Valpaline then enjoy the 2400 meter descent down the Stockji glacier under the Matterhorn and into Zermatt B, D
Day 10: Zermatt This is our extra day, which if not needed for weather during the tour gives up one more day of skiing to enjoy in the Zermatt area. Possible options include
Schwartztor, a great glacier descent from the Klein Matterhorn.
Continue to Saas Fee, over the Adler Pass and down into the Saas valley.
Over to Cervinia for lunch and back again to Zermatt. A day skiing the pistes of Zermatt and Cervinia.We will have the opportunity to photograph the world famous Matterhorn, (14,700ft , 4480 m.). Tonight we will enjoy our final night together in Zermatt. B, D
Day 11: Departure – Return to Chamonix or depart back home.
Day 12: Arrive home.
NOTE ON ITINERARY: Although we do our best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
PREREQUISITES: Good physical conditioning, Advanced ski ability & previous ski mountaineering experience required. Everyone is required to bring a ski mountaineering axe, crampons and harness. Mountaineering equipment can be rented in Chamonix. For those interested in obtaining basic ski mountaineering skills prior to the trip our three day Intro to Ski Mountaineering or three day Mount Baker Ski Descent are excellent choices. For more details or other training ideas visit our ski page.
TRAINING PROGRAM: We suggest you begin your training program at least two months prior to departure. The best training for the Haute Route is to go ski touring, the bigger the tour the better conditioning you will have. Skinning up hills and stair climbing are both excellent ways to condition your lower body. Begin slowly, without the weight of a pack, eventually adding weight as you increase your training pace. We will be utilizing huts for sleeping and dinning, and therefore you will be carrying light day packs during the tour.
TOP
| 
