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Ski touring Haute Route Verbier Zermatt
Duration:
4 days
Level:
Level 1: You have never practiced.
Level 2: You have some initial experience.
Level 3: You practice occasionally.
Level 4: You practice regularly.
Level 5: You have a sustained practice.
Price from: 1 065€
General information
The Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route’s little sister, the Verbier-Zermatt Traverse follows the same route and forms a superb voyage through the Swiss canton of Valais. This is an attractive alternative to the Haute Route if you don’t have enough time or you would like to focus on exploring the mountains of this area. Despite its popularity, this tour is a serious undertaking requiring good levels of skiing experience and physical fitness. This route leads you into some of the most spectacular parts of the Valais. This is guaranteed to take you away from it all, exploring some exceptionally beautiful landscapes.
This tour is part of a series of ski tours that we have carefully set for you to explore the majestic mountains of the Swiss Valais region. Each of these tours promises an outstanding skiing experience in the heart the breathtaking Alpine scenery. Spend an extraordinary night at the Dent du Midi bivouac, set against a stunning backdrop. Revel in the Saas Fee's 4,000-meter peaks, or continue your adventure along the logical progression of the Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt in the Monte Rosa massif.
Group booking
Group session associates several people who don’t know each other. It allows for a planned program to benefit from an attractive price on fixed dates. This formula is ideal for people looking for the friendliness of a group.
Dates : See below for the group booking module
Price 2024 : 1110€ per person based on minimum of 4 participants
Included in the package :
- IFMGA English speaking mountain guiding service
- half-board in mountain huts (dinner, breakfast and night)
- take out lunches and daily snacks
- ski lift access as per programme
- transfers as per programme
- rental of full safety kit (avalanche transceiver/DVA, shovel, probe)
Not included in the package :
- personal drinks in huts and other personal expenses (we recommend you bring Euros and Swiss Francs)
- transfer back to Verbier (120€)
- personal technical equipment
Private booking
A private booking is the historical relationship that binds a guide to his/her client. It allows you to be alone, or in a constituted group, with your guide that meets your specific needs. It is undoubtedly the ideal formula to realize your projects because it guarantees you a maximum of comfort. You are free to choose your departure date (depending on the availability of the huts) and the itinerary can be adjusted, according to your specific expectations.
Dates 2024 : March 29th to April 1st
Prices 2024 :
2 people : 2065€ per person
3 people : 1565€ per person
4 people : 1315€ per person
5 people : 1165€ per person
6 people : 1065€ per person
Included in the package :
- IFMGA English speaking mountain guiding service
- half-board in mountain huts (dinner, breakfast and night)
- take out lunches and daily snacks
- ski lift access as per programme
- transfers as per programme
- rental of full safety kit (avalanche transceiver/DVA, shovel, probe)
Not included in the package :
- personal drinks in huts and other personal expenses (we recommend you bring Swiss Francs),
- transfer back to Verbier (120€)
- personal technical equipment
Further information
In this section, find all the information about this activity. To prepare your trip effectively, refer to the guides’ tips. They share their expertise and recommendations, ensuring you have a great experience.
Meeting point : Meet at 09:00 in front of the Le Châble (Verbier) ticket office. Tour ends in Zermatt. Optional transfer back to Verbier (120€/person)
Fitness level : For people who regularly exercise/take part in sports and are experienced ski tourers. Vertical ascent of up to 1300m per day. Seven to eight hours of exercise per day. You will carry your backpack including mountaineering equipment (crampons and ice axe) and skis. Altitudes under 4000m.
Technical level : For advanced ski tourers. Varied slopes, a few technical sections (slopes up to 35º). Strong technique in all snow conditions required. Ease with basic mountaineering techniques (walking with crampons and ice axe) and kick turns needed.
Note : This trip is not appropriate for splitboarding. Consequently, we don't accept splitboarders and advise you the trip in Argentiere area.
Guiding policy : 4 to 6 people.
Accommodation : During the trip: half-board in huts. Showers available on day 1 and 2. No drinking water.
Before & after the trip: We have some hotel partners in Chamonix with special prices for our customers.
Documentation : Participants must have mountain sports insurance with repatriation cover. We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover. You can take out insurance when you sign up. Participants must also take valid ID with them.
Documents available for download
Equipment
We recommend you to pay particular attention to the choice of your equipment. It contributes greatly to the success of your stay. Weight is decisive: you always have to evaluate the ratio weight/comfort, to find the best compromise.
Equipment
- Comfortable frameless rucksack of 35l on which you could fix your skis & ice-axe,
- Ski touring skis & shoes, rentable
- Adhesive climbing skins & ski knifes adapted to your skis, rentable
- A pair of poles with large discs, rentable
- A pair of light crampons with anti-balling plates & an ice-axe, rentable
- A security pack including harness, DVA, shovel & probe - this pack will be lend by your guide.
- We recommend an helmet for ski touring / mountaineering
Clothing
- Waterproof and windproof, non-insulated parka with hood (Gore-tex or equivalent), rentable
- Waterproof and windproof, non-insulated pants, rentable
- Thick polar-pile fleece jacket or equivalent,
- A light down jacket,
- 1 long-sleeve shirt,
- Medium weight thermal underwear (top + bottoms, silk or polypro, double as pyjamas),
- Warm ski socks,
- Warm ski hat and light sun hat with brim,
- Warm ski gloves or mittens,
- A pair of thinner/finer gloves (in leather or fleece),
- Neck protection,
- Spare thermal underwear (for sleeping and change).
Accessories
- High-altitude sunglasses (grade 4 is recommended),
- A pair of goggles,
- 1.5L water bottle,
- An isotherm bottle,
- A mini toilet bag including: sun block for face and lips, aspirin, elastoplast, 2nd skin kit, earplug, toilet paper,
- A headlamp with spare batteries,
- A cotton or silk sleeping sheet: compulsory in every hut. - Hut provide blankets, slippers or clogs
- A plastic bag containing your ID card & Euros for extras.
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Itinerary
Day 1
Verbier - Cabane de Prafleuri
From the Verbier ski area, the ski lifts take us to the foot of the Col de la Chaux (2940m), which is our first climb. Next we reach the Col de Momin (3003m), which gives access to the magnificent Grand Désert glacier. We continue to the lower slopes of the Rosablanche (3336m), which we can climb as a round-trip from here, before descending to the charming Prafleuri hut (2662m).
Vertical ascent: 700m / Vertical descent: 900m
Day 2
Cabane de Prafleuri - Cabane des Dix
We start the day with a short climb to the Col des Roux (2804m) from where we can see the rest of the day’s route. A long descending traverse leads us to one end of the Dix lake. From here we climb up via the Pas du Chat (2385m) to the Dix hut (2928m), which is dominated by the Mont Blanc de Cheilon (3869m).
Vertical ascent: 850m / Vertical descent: 400m
Day 3
Cabane des Dix - Cabane des Vignettes
Our days begins with a short descent to reach the Tsena Refien glacier, along which we make our way up to the Pigne d’Arolla (3796m). At around 3600m we might have to use crampons on the ‘passage de la Serpentine’. The summit of the Pigne d’Arolla is one of the best viewing points on the Haute Route, with panoramic views across the Alps. This stunning glacier stage concludes with the beautiful descent to the Vignettes hut (3160m).
Vertical ascent: 1000m / Vertical descent: 640m
Day 4
Cabane des Vignettes - Zermatt
We start with a short descent to the Mont Collon glacier, which we climb up to reach the Col de l’Evêque (3392m). We next descend the upper Arolla glacier to the Vierge where we put on our skins to reach the foot of the Col du Mont Brulé (3213m), which we climb using crampons. After a short descent, we go to the Col de Valpelline (3554m), which is our last climb. The time has come to commence our descent to Zermatt and probably one of the most beautiful descents in the Alps, passing beneath the Dent d’Hérens (4171m) and the Matterhorn (4478m). We reach Zermatt mid-afternoon.
Vertical ascent: 1130m / Vertical descent: 2730m
Booking
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Calculate your carbon footprint
Discover the carbon emissions of this activity and add your trip to the meeting point.
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 56 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 56 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 5.6€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
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