haute route ski tour guide

You should also have previous hut to hut ski touring experience to join this tour. Skiing the Haute Route - Chamonix to Zermatt - Tips for planning your own trip. This is ski touring at its best - high in the mountains, from refuge to refuge, with long climbs and stunning descents. 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. If you are travelling with a group of friends or just wish to ski the Haute Route on your own, let us know! Since Haute Route season starts closer to the springtime, you have plenty of time to ski and ski tour prior the trip. You need to be prepared for simple living in the huts and appreciate they are located at high altitude and in inhospitable terrain. Everyone who works as part of the Chamex team has been thoroughly vetting and is trusted by us to give our clients the best experience possible - you are in safe hands! This is a long day, which is rewarded by long descents. The high alpine huts are one of the big attractions to mountaineering or trekking in the Alps. This year, I had the pleasure of spending almost 1 month ski touring in France and Switzerland. In general the tour is comparable in difficulty to the classic Haute route. Travel from hut to hut across the high European Alps taking in some of the area’s most spectacular scenery. Price per person for a group of 6 participants. For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your personalised kit list. CHAMONIX EXPERIENCE 610 Route Blanche A hike up to the second highest point of the trip, the Tête Blanche (3707m) is followed by a brilliant, long and relatively complex descent of the Stöckji and Zmut glaciers. 6) It is recommended to bring earplugs for the nights – but make sure that you wake up on time! All huts are equipped with warm covers but they do not have fresh linen. Each day’s lunch can be purchased in the huts as well allowing us to carry only the food we need for that day. The tour can be done in as little as 5 days, though we feel it is useful to have an extra day to wait out bad weather, as well as a day to ski in Chamonix. This is undoubtedly one of the worlds most spectacular ski tours, and with the support of the French and Swiss Alpine Club, huts can … Join North Cascades Mountain Guides, on what is surely a trip of a lifetime, the fabled European High Route. 610 Route Blanche open every day from 1st June to 30th September The main Haute Route season runs from mid march to late April when the mountain huts are open and the glaciers are safely snow-covered. For many ski mountaineers, this is The Classic Haute Route and it is certainly a longer,... 3 Day Haute Route. Eventually you will reach the edge of Zermatt’s huge piste area and stop for a well-earned beer at a piste-side bar before continuing to Zermatt. We offer 2 classic Haute Route Ski Tour courses: Ski the Haute Route Chamonix Zermatt Classic The winter Haute Route (or "high route") from Chamonix to Zermatt, is one of the most well know ski touring traverses in the world, after Doctor Payot and his friends first skied the route in January 1924. Your guide will want to check that you all have the right ski level before you set off and make sure that there are no issues with any of your equipment. Designed and developed by 3Sherpas. We will be happy to help you find and book accommodation on request. Here you will leave some of your equipment before setting out for either the Col de Cheilon (3237m) or to the summit of La Luette (3548m) for some extra descent before you dinner. NCMG operates under Special Use Permits with the Okanogan-Wenatchee, and Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests, and is an equal opportunity outdoor recreation service provider. You will start your journey at Les Grands Montets in Argentiere at the northern end of the Chamonix valley before crossing over a number of stunning alpine cols into Switzerland and the canton of Valais. Includes extra day for weather. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know the dates of your holidays, your previous ski touring experience and your expectations. Check with your travel insurance provider if you are covered for the specific activity you are going to do with us. Haute Route and its variations are all physically and technically very demanding. The Haute Route journey officially begins at the top station of the Grands Montets (3300m) cable car! The world's most beautiful ski and sail adventure Join the Arctic Haute Route to experience Northern Norway's best ski destinations and sail the world's most stunning coastline; Lofoten, Andørja, Senja, Kvaløya and Tromsø. You have to be skilled using ice axe and crampons and be happy to climb over steep, snowy and rocky terrain. Lyon, Turin and Milan airports are also all within a few hours drive. You want to have as light gear as possible. Camelbak hydration systems are good as long as they are kept clean, but not recommended, as the tube tends to freeze up. Pro Guiding Service has guided this super classic ski tour from Chamonix to Zermatt about 40 times in 5 different variations. You have to be physically fit, ready to hike and ski for up to 8 hours per day without being too tired the next day. Day 2:Acclimatize for the Haute Route by skiing the famous Vallee Blanche. At the head of the lake there is a steady climb to the Pas du Chat and then a little more traversing before a short climb to Refuge des Dix hut (2928m). This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. Huts provide hot meals and warm bunks to ease the body after each day of skiing. You must be proficient in crevasse rescue techniques with skis and have had experience on steep snow climbs (up to 45 degrees) using ice axe and crampons. This 9000-foot descent back into Chamonix will give us a chance to warm up for the tour, discuss some of the ski mountaineering techniques we will be using, and get acclimatized to the altitude. There are constantly changing views of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Grand Combin and Monte Rosa. The Ski Mountaineering Trip of a Lifetime. Be sure to store these carefully as the hut is likely to get very busy and you’ll need to find all your kit in the morning rush! If you need help to find a place to stay in Chamonix, don't hesitate to let us know! Give yourself more flexibility with an extra weather day built in. For those interested in a European ski traverse, the Haute Route is the first trip that pops into most people’s minds. We open earlier or later when we welcome scheduled groups. If you did few day ski tours but no hut to hut trip yet, join our Introduction to Hut to Hut trip. Join North Cascades Mountain Guides, on what is surely a trip of a lifetime, the fabled European High Route. From 40€ per person for one way and 80€ per person for a return trip. Washing facilities are limited and generally there is no running water in any of the huts although this may vary in some huts. The Haute Route, as the Chamonix-Zermatt crossing is sometimes called, was first skied in 1911 and remains the most iconic of the touring routes in … The huts are fairly good at providing for vegetarians but less so for other dietary needs. Haute Route Ski Tour The Haute Route is most likely the single most famous ski traverse in the Alps. Not to mention having the energy to ski an extra run after arriving at the destination hut for the day. Skiers should have some touring experience and be adept at using skins, performing kick turns and skiing with a small pack. Ski The Haute Route Plateau du Couloir Route. First pioneered as a walking route in 1861, it is nowadays most commonly done on skis as a week long hut to hut tour. Please make sure that you are carrying sufficient water and snacks as we will be in the mountains for a number of hours. Chamonix is one of the easiest alpine resorts to get to, being just over an hour's drive from Geneva international airport. Starting in the birthplace of Alpine climbing, Chamonix, France, we will spend 8 days touring through the heart of the European Alps en route to Zermatt, skiing the shadow of the Matterhorn into this charming Swiss village. Extra Gloves - a pair of spare gloves is essential. It is important for skiers to be able to comfortably ski black runs at a ski area in any conditions. You want to have skis maximum 95mm under the foot fitted with a low tech bindings. The day will start with a quick descent to the Col de Charmottane (3037m) followed by a hike up to the Col de l’Evêque (3382m). When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary. Extra Goggles - spare goggles are highly recommended. Huts do sell food but it’s expensive and sometimes stocks run low. The Haute Route is the most classic ski tour in the Alps. The Haute Route will test your stamina and endurance and is by no means a walk in the park as it will entail long days at high altitude on mountain glacier terrain, so a good level of fitness and ski touring experience is needed. All Chamex mountain guides are fully qualified, highly experienced and passionate about what they do. There are basins in which you can use bottled water to wash and clean your teeth, but they are NOT generally in private cubicles and are mixed sex. If all goes well we are left with an extra day in Zermatt, which can be used for a number of excellent day touring options. We suggest you bring with you or buy in resort snack food that you can take out on the hill with you each day. There are very few places that you are forced to carry skis, unless you opt for some of the peak ascents. Extra Weather Day built into itinerary, which can be used for extra day on the route or skiing Zermatt (lift tickets included). The Berner Haute Route is probably the best ski tour you’ve never heard of. At the end of each day you will stay in warm and cosy mountain huts such as the Trient, Prafleuri, Dix and Bertol as you cross glaciers, skin up mountains, ski fabulous off-piste terrain as you get ever closer to the magnificent Matterhorn. The views of the Matterhorn are always changing and always spectacular. (equipment preparation and tour review). The guardian and his/her team serve a 3-course evening meal and breakfast - food is usually nourishing and filling. We work only with the most reliable transfer companies in the valley and are happy to organise your journey for you, please contact us for prices and booking. The guide will also want to check all of your equipment and make sure everything is in order. Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguillle du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix. There is no WIFI on the huts and the mobile reception is very limited. From the summit you have a great ski down the Glacier de Prafleuri to the Prafleuri hut (2624m) where you will spend the night. The best way to get from Geneva airport to Chamonix is by transfer bus, either shared with other passengers or private. The Haute Route ski tour linking Chamonix and Zermatt in the western European Alps is without doubt the most famous ski tour in the World. You have to be good and efficient in your skinning technique and confident moving over a steep and exposed terrain. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. We recommend using modern touring skis ideally 85 - 95 mm under foot - using skis that are too skinny will be hard work in deep powder and skis that are too wide are not great for skinning on a hard-packed snow. Check with us for later booking, we may still be able to reserve your places in huts. You certainly want to take true ski touring boots - light and comfortable. The liner is obligatory on many huts. No, you just need a sleeping bag liner. While most of the terrain is fairly moderate by resort standards, we typically encounter a wide range of snow conditions. You will be met in the arrivals lounge by your driver and dropped at your accommodation in Chamonix; there is no extra charge for your luggage or equipment. We work with a network of excellent chalets, hotels, gites and B&Bs offering Chamonix accommodation to suit all tastes and all budgets. Maps & Books (O): See the pre-trip information for a list of maps & guide books specific to your tour. 74400 CHAMONIX MT-BLANC We will advise you how to reduce the size & weight of your backpack to minimum but you will still have to carry all the essentials. One thing it is not, is the better-known Berner Ski Tour. Everything is taken care of by your mountain guide, so you can just relax and enjoy the fantastic ski touring. We will be delighted to organise a custom made, private Haute Route guided ski tour for you. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the ski & fitness levels for this trip, we will be happy to help. This trip is for experienced ski tourers who have already done at least one hut-to-hut tour or a multi-day ski tour. Technical Ski Ability – your off-piste ski ability should be at Ski Tech Level 3 ( more info here ). We have decided to include an extra day in our itinerary. Opening hours : 09:00-12:00 and 15:00-19:00, SUMMER: Fantastic 7 days of skiing on the trip from Mont Blanc to Matterhorn. There are dozens of other traverses in the alps that rival the Haute Route in terms of pure downhill skiing (The Berner Oberland), comfortable huts (The Ortler Ski Circuit), wilderness experience (The Ecrins Traverse) … We will begin the tour with a day trip of the incredible Vallee Blanche. 5) In the morning your guide will often want to leave early – be sure to have all your kit ready to go the night before. You will need only pocket money for drinks, snacks and packed lunches. The tour is very adaptable allowing for harder and easier variations most days. It starts with descending the Col des Écandies (2796m) followed by a descent by the Val d’Arpette down to the village of Champex (1500m). You have to have good splitboarding experience and have already recently completed a hut to hut trip. To maximize your enjoyment on a tour of this nature, the most important skills to have are skiing skills. Sleeping arrangements are in mixed sex dormitory-style rooms with bunks; there can be up to 20 people in one room. Starting in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif and ending up in the shadow of one of the most famous mountains in the Alps, the Matterhorn, this is a journey that every experienced ski tourer should undertake at least once in their lives. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. Further, you must be able to perform survival turns (hop turns, stem christie etc.) Your flight details (date, time and flight number). NCMG offers this program with an extra weather day built into the itinerary. … For an unguided Haute Route tour, you should have many years of backcountry skiing experience and have been on numerous multi-day ski tours. Enjoy never-ending ice landscapes while skinning over spectacular passes and peaks on your way to the next mountain hut. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. From here you will catch the train to Tasch to meet the minibus waiting to take you back to Chamonix, a 2.5 hour drive. Things like cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts, chocolate, sugary sweets or your favourite hill snacks. From Mt. We will create and organize a tour that suits you and your friends the best! Travel insurance including a mountain search and rescue insurance is mandatory on all our trips (we can organise the mountai search and rescue insurance for you on request). Guided Haute Route Ski Tours: Weekly trips mid-March through April with IFMGA Guides John & Olivia Race & Northwest Mountain School. You should be able to do up to 5 hours skinning with up to 1100m vertical gain per day, at a good steady pace. Our tour begins with a spectacular 9000 foot descent of the Vallée Blanche. Mountain rescue may be very expensive, particularly if helicopters are involved. Yes, a search and rescue insurance is obligatory on these trips. We work with the following Chamonix ski hire and mountain shop: • Concept Pro Shop which is conveniently located directly next door from our office. 50 percent of our trips end up using this day to complete the route while other groups get shut down by weather and a lack of flexibility. If you would like to know more then you can meet the Chamex team here. We work with well established airport transfer companies which use new and comfortable vehicles and which have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency. You can bring your own food and we can stop for a picnic, or there may be the option to buy lunch at a mountain hut. as most huts do not take credit cards. We don’t include mountain rescue insurance in any of our courses but it is obligatory on these trips. No you can not. 1:6 The Haute Route Ski Tour is the most famous ski tour in the world and a classic mountain journey. Now you have a great descent to the Col des Vignettes and the spectacularly situated hut (3160m) of the same name. All food and drink in the huts is delivered by helicopter and consequently prices will be high e.g. You will spend your first night there. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details. The itinerary has been updated this year to ensure maximum descent and to stay in the most spectacularly located mountain huts along the way. You have to be confident and safe skiing on slopes of 40 degrees. This tour will also demand a high degree of fitness. We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. Crossing some of the most spectacular mountain terrain anywhere on earth, this route travels through high mountain passes and wild broken glaciers. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The Tour takes us across more than 12 glaciers, over many high mountain cols and through some of the most rugged alpine terrain imaginable. 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. Participants on the Haute Route Ski Tour should be advanced intermediate or stronger skiers, have a high level of cardio vascular fitness, and have experience skiing in the backcountry. I received a fantastic offer from John and Olivia Cussen to work with them at the Northwest Mountain School for their spring ski tour programs. 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