EUROPE'S
CLASSIC
SKI TOUR

'HIGHLIGHT TOUR' 6-DAY VERBIER TO SAAS-FEE

As per the ‘Highlight Tour’ 5-day Verbier to Zermatt itinerary

After an early breakfast, take the Gornergrat railway and cable car to the Stockhorn 3,532m/11,588ft, which allows us to ski down to 3,100m/10,200ft on the Findel Glacier before climbing gently up to the steep Adlerpass 3,789m/12,431ft which is sandwiched between the 4,000m/13,700ft summits of the Rimpfischhorn and the Strahlhorn. This pass is the gateway to Saas-Fee. On this day we will have skied under three 4,000m/13,000ft peaks. The tour will end with yet another day in paradise.

Alternatively, it is also possible to use this day in Zermatt to enjoy some of the best lift-based off-piste skiing in the Alps. You can descend into Cervinia, ski the top-notch Schwarztor Glacier or climb and ski down Breithorn 4,164m/13,661ft, which is easily accessible from the Klein Matterhorn lift.

FRENCH HAUTE ROUTE: 3-DAY CHAMONIX TO VERBIER

The team arrives Chamonix and enjoys a night in a comfortable local hotel.

We meet after breakfast in Chamonix, check gear and organize last-minute hiring of equipment, before off-piste skiing and climbing practice with skins. Return to the hotel.

Today is an early morning start, as we take the lift to Grands Montets 3,200m/10,500ft and enjoy a delightful 600m/2,000ft ski down to the Argentière Glacier. This is where we stick the skins to our skis for the first big climb of the tour, 700m/2,300ft of gentle zigzagging up to the Col du Chardonnet 3,323m/10,902ft, followed by an exciting rappel descent to the Saleina Glacier. A short ski traverse leads to the next col and an easy climb (skins again) to the Fenêtre de Saleina 3,261m/10,699ft and the Trient Glacier, from where a gentle ski brings us to the remote Trient Hut 3,170m/10,400ft. The skins go back on again for the 100m/330ft climb up to the hut.

From the Trient Hut, we ski down the right bank of the Trient Glacier to 2,750m/9,000ft. We climb 50m/160ft steeply up to the Col des Ecandies 2,796m/9,173ft. In good conditions there is a superb 1,000m/3,300ft powder descent into the Arpette Valley to join the piste and the picturesque little town of Champex 1,500m/5,000ft. We then take road transport to Verbier, where we round off the trip in a comfortable hotel.

FULL HAUTE ROUTE: 7-DAY CHAMONIX TO ZERMATT

As per the French Haute Route 3-day itinerary above

We make an early start from the hut and climb gently, crossing the Col de la Chaux 2,940m/9,646ft and then the lovely Col de Momin 3,004m/9,856ft which suddenly lets us out onto a glacial plateau below Rosablanche 3,336m/10,945ft. In good weather, we will have a chance to climb this mountain before descending to the Prafleuri Hut 2,624m/8,609ft.

From the hut, we climb 150m/500ft up to the Col des Roux 2,804m/9,199ft before traversing the 5km/3 mile-long western shore of the frozen Lac des Dix. We then pick our way through the Pas de Chat and climb 600m/2,000ft gently up to Dix Hut 2,928m/9,606ft where the food is always delicious.

Another big day today. We climb the Cheilon Glacier, the Serpentine 3,789m/12,431ft and then the Pigne d’Arolla 3,796m/12,454ft. The subsequent ski down to the Vignettes Hut 3,160m/10,367ft can be, and often is, filled with champagne powder. This is a spectacular day with outstanding views, and the following day is even better!

Making an alpine start again, we slide down to the Col de Chermontane 3,053m/10,016ft, then cross in quick succession the Col de l’Evêque 3,392m/11,129ft, Col du Mont Brûlé 3,213m/10,541ft and Col de Valpelline 3,568m/11,706ft. Each of these has a fine ski descent after the climb.

Now we have the option to climb the Tête de Valpelline 3,568m/12,467ft, adding an extra hour to our day, before skiing under the spectacular North Face of the Matterhorn and then on down to Zermatt 1,614m/5,295ft, your hotel, showers and a well-deserved beer or a refreshing cup of tea! This is the most special and scenic ski touring day of the trip, providing unsurpassed views.