Ski touring: Haute route Chamonix-Zermatt in 6 days

We take the cable car up to Lognan (the former intermediate station of the Gds Montets), then ascent with ski skins and on foot via a couloir to the Col du Passon at 3028m, passing through the bottom of the Argentière glacier. After a short descent of around 100m, we’ll head up the magnificent Glacier du Tour to cross the Swiss border via the Col du Tour (3,282m). From here, we’ll head for the Cabane de Trient 3170m where we’ll spend the night.

Difference in altitude: + 1200 m / -300 m

We cross the col des ravines rousses, descend on the Saleina glacier then climb to the col de la grande Luy at 3416m. Direct descent to La Fouly. 800 metres ascent and 2300 metres descent for this option.
Night in a Gîte/Hotel in La Fouly.

Transfer by bus or taxi from La Fouly to the start of the ascent to the Valsorey hut.

Overnight stay at the Valsorey hut.

Ascent: 1200m

Ascent to the plateau du couloir, 3660m, via part of the south face of the Grand Combin, first in ski skins and then on foot with our skis on the back. We continue on skis with a short descent and a short ascent to cross the Sonadon pass at 3500m and descend to the Mont Durand glacier. We finish the stage by the ascent to the Chanrion hut at 2462m.

Overnight at the Chanrion hut.

This stage and the next one are the key sections of the route and require good snow conditions and 2 days of good weather to complete (there is no escape from the Chanrion hut).

Altitude difference: +930m / -1300m

We set off on a long ascent towards the Pigne d’Arolla 3790m, the highest point of the route. Magnificent descent to the Vignettes hut.

Overnight at the Vignettes hut.

Altitude difference: +1330m / - 1790m

After a short descent to the Mont Collon glacier, we’ll put our ski skins back on and head for the Col de l’évêque 3386m. From the col, we descend via the Arolla glacier to the Col du Mont Brûlé 3213m. Then we reach the Col de Valpelline 3562m. The final descent is over the immense Stocki glacier to Zermatt.

Altitude difference: +900m / -2000m.

End of our trip late afternoon in Chamonix.

NB : The programme is intended as a guide only. It could be modified at any time by the mountain guide for safety reasons, weather conditions or regarding the physical and technical level of the skiers.

We draw your attention to the fact that by registering for this trip, you are committing to participating in a 6-day ski touring course with the aim of attempting a crossing from Chamonix to Zermatt. HOWEVER, you are also committing to accepting any changes to the program (made necessary by the conditions at the time) during or before the start of the course.

6 participants maximum. Departure is guaranteed from 4 participants. You will be notified at least 20 days before departure in the event of cancellation. Where possible, an alternative solution will be offered.

NB : For cancellation conditions for privatised trips (made up groups) please refer to our conditions of sale.

Please note that we offer some of this equipment for rental, they are indicated by a * in the list below, you will find rental prices in the "Gear rental and extras prices" section.

Equipment rental and changes are only possible before payment of the balance of your booking (45 days before departure). We advise you to take the time, as soon as you register, to list the equipment you already have or which can be lent to you. Any equipment initially rented from ROC ECRINS even not taken on the day of departure must be paid for.

The head

• Sunglasses class 4*protective lenses
• Ski goggles
• A helmet*
• A warm hat
• Sunscreen high protection (30 and 50)

The body

• A mountain rucksack * suitable to carry skis if necessary, approx. 25 litres
• A long-sleeved top, prefer merino wool to synthetic fabrics as the are more breathable
• A fleece or soft shell jacket
• A warm down jacket
• A Gore-tex waterproof jacket*to protect against rain, snow and wind
• An avalanche transceiver + shovel* and probe*.

Hands

• A pair of thin leather ou fleece gloves and a warmer pair with a waterproof membrane

Legs

• Ideally a Gore-tex type ski trousers *with with long side zips. For cold days, a long warm underwear may be worn underneath

The feet

• Ski touring skis *
• Ski skins* in good condition
• Ski crampons* suitable for your bindings
• Ski touring boots
  
• Telescopic ski poles*
• A light ice axe*
• A spare pair of socks

Miscellaneous

• Bring containers for around 2 litres of water, ideally a one-litre bottle plus smaller ones to keep warm and close to your body in your jacket.
• Small knife
• Small thermos flask
• Camera
• Small first-aid kit adapted to your personal needs, also containing elastoplast and double-skin dressings for any blisters.

This list is not exhaustive and should be completed with all what you may specifically need.

Ski touring is dependent on different factors that we can sometimes neither anticipate nor control; we may therefore have to modify the programme of our high mountain holidays before or during the stay for various reasons:

• if the weather and/or snow conditions make it impossible to carry out the planned programme and/or
• if there is a delay in the opening or early closure of a ski lift or refuge

In these cases, we will offer you an alternative programme, sometimes on the day of departure, which you may not refuse.

Ski touring, as all mountain activities have some level of risk particularly of avalanche or injury in the event of a fall.
To reduce the hazards that they are exposed to skiers must follow the safety instructions given by the instructor.

You must be aware of these risks and accept them when booking.

No medical certificate required to take part in our trips, but it may be useful to check with your GP that you have no contraindications (particularly in the case of chronic illness) to physical activity in the high mountains.

If you are undergoing any particular treatment, please let us know so that we can take appropriate measures if necessary.

Altitude can cause acute mountain sickness when you are not sufficiently acclimatised, also known as AMS. In most cases, it is accompanied by headaches, nausea and a general feeling of discomfort, but in the most serious cases it can lead to pulmonary or cerebral oedema, requiring an immediate descent.

This tour is aimed at skiers with a good level of skiing in all types of snow and strong experience of ski touring, particularly kick turns. Varied slopes, some technical sections, crampons and ice axe use possible.

To complete these 6 days with an average 1100m ascent per day, you need to have a good level of fitness. This raid is aimed at people who regularly exercise/take part in endurance sports.

N.B.: If you do not have the required level, the guide will ask you to leave the course for the safety of the whole group.

By state-certified mountain guides or trainees mountain guides (aspirant guides) from the Roc Écrins team. They will have a VHF radio connected to the emergency services, a satellite phone or a mobile phone. They will also have a collective first-aid kit.

*A trainee mountain guide is a guide in training who is authorised to work and supervise climbs from their third year of training. They are not beginners, as it takes several years of practice and training to build up a list of routes and have the experience and technical level required to enter the mountain guide training course.

To take part in one of our stays, you must be properly insured for the chosen activity (rescue and repatriation costs) in the event of an incident or accident occurring during the stay. (We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover). It is your responsibility to check the cover provided by your personal insurance policy. If you do not have such an insurance, you can take out the EUROP ASSISTANCE contract when you sign up. The amount of the "ASSISTANCE" insurance covering repatriation, rescue and search costs represents 2.4% of the price of the stay. MULTIRISK" insurance covering assistance, cancellation, loss of luggage and interruption of holiday, represents 5.6% of the price of the holiday.

In a gîte/auberge and in high mountain huts that are often renovated, modern and comfortable.
Overnight stays in rooms or dormitories equipped with blankets, duvets or Nordic duvets (bring your own sleeping sheet).
Some huts don’t have water at this time of year.

This accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking.

The transfer from La Fouly to Valsorey during your stay will be by taxi, included in the price of the stay.

The return journey from Zermatt to Chamonix will be by taxi (not included in the price). Allow around €140 per person depending on the number of people.

From the Autoroute Blanche motorway (A40/E25/E712) towards Chamonix, take the first exit ‘Les Houches-Centre Prarion-Bellevue’ (D213). Follow the road to the centre of Les Houches and Bellevue cable car.

• Mountain guiding service , including their meals, overnight accommodation
• Half board accommodation in mountain hut from the first evening to the last breakfast
• picnic lunch meals
• Cable car ticket
• Transport by Taxi from La Fouly to Valsorey on day 3
• Organisation and reservations (accommodation, guide, equipment) of your stay

Mountains are a magic place, a place where wildlife is still present and a place of great freedom That’s why we like it so much as well as so many more and more people. But it’s also a fragile environment that need to be respected and protected. Please follow few simple rules of good behavior: stay on the trails, don’t take anything, don’t throw anything away, and be discreet. The mountains are one of the last silent places, and this silence is a treasure to be cherished, respected and shared!

IN THE MOUNTAIN, you’ll be roped up with your guide, your friends or other people you don’t know, all united by the same goal. It’s all about helping each other, not only within the group but also with anyone else who need help. And don’t forget when walking: those who go down let the way to those who go up.

IN THE REFUGE also, it’s important to respect certain rules. You’ll need to take your shoes off to go up to the dormitories; sleepers are provided for this purpose.
Don’t forget that climbers get up very early in the morning so please be discreet. When leaving the dormitory , it’s
usual to fold the blanket.

At the end of the day or of the stay it’s customary to offer a drink to the group
to soothe moments of doubt and fear, and/or to celebrate the summit, sharing the day’s
strong, funny and joyful moments. And, if you feel like it, at the end of your stay, you
can thank your guide with a small tip, an old tradition but nothing is mandatory.

To book your trip :

• complete the pre-registration form online
• You will receive a booking contract by email. It sets out the details of your booking as well as the schedule and payment terms.
• On receipt of this contract, the deposit of 30% must be payed within 4 days in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the contract. Your registration can only be confirmed when the deposit has been payed.
• The balance must be paid 45 days before the departure. Please note that any balance not paid within 45 days of departure will be considered as a cancellation of your booking. Financial withholding would therfore be applied in accordance with our terms and conditions of sale.
• For a of a booking made less than 45 days before departure, the total amount of the booking must be paid on receipt of the booking contract in accordance with the terms and conditions set out therein.