To make the most of your skiing experience we encourage you to work on your fitness and skiing/snowboarding prior to the trip. Your guide places special focus on fitness levels and will regulate the pace accordingly. See our Fitness Training Programs for information on how we can help you prepare for your trip.
Venture far from the ski resort slopes on the world's most classic ski tour, the Swiss Haute Route. Travel from hut to hut across the high European Alps taking in some of the area’s most spectacular scenery.
For those who have not yet ventured far from the ski resort, this is a fantastic way to gain experience as you travel with the supervision of our exceptional mountain guides, allowing you to learn with confidence while taking in the grandeur of your surroundings.
The Haute Route (High Route) is a world class ski-tour through the heart of the Western Alps that begins in Verbier taking us over five days to finish in Zermatt. The journey connects long alpine ski runs over glaciated terrain with descents from high peaks and cols.
Generally, the distances are not too great, about six hours hut to hut each day. We stay each night in Swiss high-mountain huts that are fully catered, leaving us to travel with very light packs so we can relish in the ascents and descents along the route.
In addition there is the possibility of climbing three fine skiable mountains en route, the Rosablanche (3,336m/10,945ft), the Pigne d'Arolla (3,796m/12,454ft) and the Tête de Valpelline (3,802m/12,474ft).
This ski-touring trip is suitable for the confident off-piste skier with a reasonable level of fitness.
- World's most classic ski tour
- Travel from hut to hut in the high Alps
- Pass through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Western Alps, skiing rarely gets more scenic than this.
- Four variations to choose from
Skiing Ability
Skiing Ability
Advanced
Elevation
Elevation
3,790m/12,434ft
Duration
Duration
3 to 7 days
Location
Location
European Alps
'HIGHLIGHT TOUR' 5-DAY VERBIER TO ZERMATT
We meet at 8:30pm in Verbier. Our guide will go over the activities for the week, answer any last-minute questions and arrange the hiring of any equipment.
Today is used for revising off-piste and ski touring techniques. We can make last-minute equipment changes as well as enjoy the excellent off-piste runs for which Verbier is famous. We end the day at the Mont Fort Hut 2,457m/8,061ft to give us an early start the next day.
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.
Add an additional day of skiing in Zermatt, continue on to Saas-Fee or depart for home. Please see itinerary variations.
Departures and Pricing
Start/End | Departing from | Quantity | Pricing | Notes | Book |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mar - Apr 2025 | Verbier, Switzerland | 5-day 'Highlight' Tour Verbier to Zermatt | From €2,590 | Book Now | |
Mar - Apr 2025 | Verbier, Switzerland | 6-day 'Highlight' Tour Verbier to Saas-Fee | From €3,100 | Book Now | |
Mar - Apr 2025 | Chamonix, France | 3-day French Haute Route Chamonix to Verbier | From €1,420 | Book Now | |
Mar - Apr 2025 | Chamonix, France | 7-day Full Haute Route Chamonix to Zermatt | From €3,350 | Book Now |
Need more training before attempting the Haute Route? Check out our Chamonix Ski Touring Week
PREPARE
To ski tour in the European Alps, you will need to be able to link parallel turns in all types of off-piste snow conditions, be physically fit and have a minimum of 5 days ski touring experience.
Even skiing and climbing at the moderate altitudes in Europe has a definite physical effect on people. Most climbers and skiers notice a lower performance rate than normal. Ski touring days are physically demanding and can entail a 1,000m/3,300ft ascent at altitude.
Though not essential, some climbing experience is desirable and prior use of ice axe and crampons advantageous.
No prior altitude experience is required
Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to their trips. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition and trip to offer our ski tourers the best possible experience.
We employ strong and specialised IFMGA Ski Guides, who are some of the most pre-eminent in the industry.
Many of our expedition members and climbers come to us because they have seen us in action on a previous trip and decide to opt for our level of service and proven experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions and guided ski tours safe and successful.
The price of your trip includes the following:
- Ski tour guide
- Group technical equipment
- Lift passes as per the scheduled itinerary
- Hut or hotel accommodation as per the scheduled itinerary
- Local ground transport as per the scheduled itinerary
- Breakfast and dinner during mountain component of the trip.