The Haute Route: Ski Trekking the Alps

Pilot Guides

The Haute Route is a famous high-altitude trekking route in the Alps that connects Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland.

It’s renowned for its stunning mountain scenery, including views of iconic peaks like Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. The route can be completed on foot during the summer months or skis during the winter and typically takes about 12 days to traverse, depending on the specific itinerary and pace.

Surrounded by the highest peaks of the european Alps the ski resort of Chamonix is where the Haute route begins and where mountaineers from all around the world come to go high alpine ski touring.

The trek offers a mix of challenging terrain, picturesque alpine villages, and opportunities for various outdoor activities, making it a popular choice for hikers and mountaineers.

The Haute Route covers almost 120 kilometres of rough Alpine terrain that crosses eleven mountain passes, some almost 10,000 feet in elevation. Unstable trail conditions and afternoon storms can force hikers down to safer, low-altitude paths

The Alps are situated in Western Europe and span the 3 countries of France, Italy and Switzerland. In winter a snow trek begins at the Argentiere Glacier from where you can trek from hut to hut crossing the Col du Chardonnet passing through Verbier . Near the end you climb the highest point at Pigne d’Arolla before the final stretch past the iconic Matterhorn into Zermatt.

For skiers , The Haute Route is an Advanced Level Alpine hut to hut tour, that is suitable for fit and experienced ski mountaineers. You need several weeks ski touring experience, preferably including hut to hut tours, as well as mountaineering experience using ice axe and crampons on steep terrain before you book on the trip.