European Haute Route Ski Traverse

The Haute Route is a great option for skiers or boarders who have a good base of backcountry travel and alpine riding and want to push their fitness and stamina on a week-long adventure. Good fitness is needed as the largest day requires 1400m of climbing over 3000m elevations. Although lots of the terrain is in the “blue square” run range (intermediate), there are steeper pitches similar to double black terrain at most ski resorts.

• Previous Ski Touring Experience
• Advanced Ski Ability (Black Diamond Runs)
• Stamina for Consecutive Ski Touring Days
• Enjoys Genepi and Rosti

All participants are required to read and sign a release of liability waiver prior to their trip.

• Day 1
• The MER DE GLACE!! It is in full caps because it is awesome. Not a hard day, but a mandatory classic lap to shake the jet lag and stretch the legs

• Day 2
• Grand Montets - Cabane du Trient

Ascent: 1100m

Descent: 1600m

Length: 10km

Highlights: Aiguille du Chardonnet

The Haute Route starts in the deep end with one of the biggest days of the week. From the Grand Montets lift system, we ski down the Argentiere glacier. Here we have two options: the classic option through the col du Chardonett or the Col du Passon. Both lines are similar in length and involve a steep snow section. Once through the col, its fairly smooth sailing over to the Trient hut. The Trient hut is one of the highest on the routes at 3200m.

• Day 3
• Cabane du Trient - Verbier

Ascent: 200m

Descent: 1800m

Length: 10km

Highlights: Col des Ecandies, fun evening in Verbier

A gentle day to recover from the last, A short glacier ski through wild glaciers takes us to the most technical climbing section of the route, Col des Ecandies. A 200m boot pack sets up for a 1600m cruiser down the Val de Ferret to the Swiss town Champex. A one-hour taxi takes us to Verbier, where we spend the night.

• Day 4
• Refuge Verbier - Refuge Prafleuri

Ascent: 1200m

Descent: 1550m

Length:11km

Highlights: Summiting Rosablanche 3300m

After a hearty breakfast in Verbier, we will catch the first lifts to the top of Mont Gele. A quick skin up the piste and over the Col de la Chaux. From the col, a quick traverse and descent lead to the lac du petit mont fort. From here, we start the long climb up to the summer of the Rosablanche before a long descent to the Prafleuri for evening beers and the night.

• Day 5
• Refuge de Prafleuri - Cabane des Dix

Ascent: 1000 m

Decent: 700 m

Length: 9 km

Highlights: The spectacular lac Dix and an afternoon rosti on the best hut’s patio on the whole trip!

A quick early-morning climb up the Col des Roux sets up for a long traverse above lac Dix. From the edge of the lake, a long skin takes us to what we consider the best hut of the trip, Cabane des Dix. Once at the hut, we have two options: beers and rosti or more northing ski runs.

• Day 6
• Cabane des dix - Cabane des vignettes

Ascent: 1000 m

Descent: 750 m

Length: 9 km

Highlights: Passage de la serpentine, Summiting the Pigne d’Arolla

This day is a big up followed by a big down. First, we head up the glacier de Tsena Refien over the spectacular passage de la serpentine and finally to the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla. Here we shed our skins and ski down the glacier de Piece to the steps of the Cabane des Vignettes for the evening.

• Day 7
• Cabane des Vignettes - Zermatt

Ascent: 1400 m

Descent: 3200 m

Length: 29 km

Highlights: The long descent into Zermatt, it is unforgettable!

The sting in the tail. This big day will certainly have you feeling you deserve that celebratory beer and fondue. Passing over 3 cols, 7 glaciers, 3200 of descending and 29 km of epic alpine goodness.