The most famous ski traverse in the Alps — Chamonix to Zermatt across a chain of high glaciated passes.

One of the most famous ski traverses in the world, the Haute Route links Chamonix to Zermatt, crossing a series of high glaciated passes beneath the greatest peaks of the Alps. The reward is a unique alpine journey combining thrilling descents and breathtaking landscapes.

Seven skiing days, with five hut nights on half-board. It asks for solid skiing ability, ski-touring experience and good fitness — intermediate to advanced, descents up to 35° and up to 1,300m of ascent a day, with moderate mountaineering skills (crampons and ice axe).

Itinerary

Day 0Arrival
Arrival in Chamonix.
Overnight Chamonix
Day 1Chamonix — gear check
Skiing around Chamonix, potentially the Vallée Blanche; gear check and a shop/service visit if needed.
Overnight Chamonix
Day 2Argentière → Albert 1er
Start from Argentière (lift or on foot) and ascend to the Refuge Albert 1er, with some glacier travel and spectacular views of the surrounding peaks.
Overnight Refuge Albert 1er (2,702m)
Day 3Col du Tour → Verbier
Cross the Col du Tour (3,280m) and the Trient Glacier, then a long descent toward Champex-Lac. Transfer by bus or taxi to Verbier.
Overnight Verbier
Day 4Mont Fort → Prafleuri
Traverse from the Cabane du Mont Fort through the Col de la Chaux (2,940m) and Col de Momin (3,001m) to the Refuge de Prafleuri.
Overnight Refuge de Prafleuri (2,662m)
Day 5Col des Roux → des Dix
Ascend through the Col des Roux (2,804m), traverse along the Lac des Dix and climb to the Refuge des Dix.
Overnight Refuge des Dix (2,928m)
Day 6Pigne d'Arolla → Vignettes
A challenging climb towards the Pigne d'Arolla (3,787m) before reaching the Refuge des Vignettes, perched dramatically on a rocky ridge.
Overnight Refuge des Vignettes (3,153m)
Day 7Final day to Zermatt
A long day crossing the Col de l'Évêque (3,379m), Col du Mont Brulé (3,231m) and Col de Valpelline (3,551m), then a long descent into Zermatt. Transfer back to Chamonix (or home via Geneva).

Requirements & gear

Intermediate to advanced skiing, up to 1,300m of ascent per day and descents up to 35°. Solid ski-touring experience with moderate mountaineering skills (crampons and ice axe).

Complete ski-touring kit
Avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel
Crampons
Ice axe
Harness

Included

7 days guiding with an IFMGA mountain guide
5 overnights with half-board
Transfer from Zermatt back to Chamonix
Group equipment

Not included

Transport to and from Chamonix
Accommodation in Chamonix (we can help with reservations on request)
Drinks, lunch and snacks
Insurance (accident, mountain rescue, travel, illness) is the participant’s responsibility — we recommend membership of the Swiss "Rega" rescue service.

Photos

Enquire about this trip

A group gathered for an avalanche-safety briefing on a snowy slope.

CourseCentral Switzerland or the Valais

Avalanche Courses

Learn to read the mountains and avoid avalanches in the first place — from a one-day intro to a three-day AIARE 2.

A wide ski-touring landscape with skin tracks across the Silvretta range.

Silvretta, Austria–Switzerland

Silvretta Traverse

A four-day hut-to-hut traverse of the Eastern Alps with gentle descents — an ideal first ski tour.

A skier on a summit above a sunlit alpine valley, ready to descend.

CourseCentral Switzerland or the Valais

Ski Touring Introduction

Your first step beyond the resort — skinning, transitions and avalanche basics. Earn your turns.

Haute Route — Chamonix to Zermatt