HLR to Zermatt

- The original HLR starting from Chamonix or Verbier

The high level route to Zermatt is the classic ski touring journey of the Alps. There is nothing quite like arriving in Zermatt by ski having crossed glaciers, cols and peaks along the length of the Pennine Alps. We offer this tour either starting from the Chamonix valley (7 days skiing) or from Verbier (4 days skiing).  Either way, this is a classic ski tour.

On the summit of Rosablance and then descending to Prafleuri

Programme

The programme and route is subject to change depending upon weather and conditions.

Day 1 Meet in Chamonix at 7pm for a briefing on the week's activities (details of the rendezvous point will be confirmed on booking). Night in hotel.

Day 2 Warm-up and technique training day.

Day 3 Grands Montets lift system to the summit of the Grand Montets (3295m) and ski down to the Argentiere glacier.  Cross the Col du Chardonnet (3323m, 4 to 6hrs) and then traverse to the Fenetre de Saleina (3261m) and cross the Trient Plateau.  Night at Trient hut.

Day 4  Make a long descent down the Val d’Arpette, to the village of Champex. Transfer to the Verbier lift system to Mont Fort hut (or if going via the Plateau de Couloir variation, transfer to Bourg St Pierre).

Day 5  Cross the Col de la Chaux (2940m) and the Col de Momin to Rosablanche (3336m) and descent to the Prafleuri hut (2624m) (or ascend to the Valsory hut).

Day 6 Cross over the Col des Roux (2804m) to a short descent followed by a big traverse around the side of the Lac des Dix. A 3 hour climb leads to the Dix hut (2928m) (or climb the Plateau de Couloir and descend to Chanrion hut).

Day 7 Traverse of the Pigne d’Arolla (3798m), the highest point of the Haute Route, with a fine descent to the Vignettes Hut (3160m) (or traverse Les Portons to the Vignettes Hut).

Day 8 Traverse the 'three cols' (Col de L'Eveque 3392m, Col de Mont Brule 3210m, and Col de Valpelline 3568m), and then make the long descent of the Stockjigletscher under the north face of the Matterhorn to reach Zermatt. Transport back to Chamonix and night in hotel.

Day 9  Depart
 

The group will be up to 6 skiers with 1 guide.

The classic HLR to Zermatt