Ski the Haute Route Guide (Updated for 2024)

The Haute Route is one of the world’s most famous high-altitude trails, taking you from Chamonix in the Mont Blanc valley to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn in Switzerland.

 

Haute Route Advice

Although people have been walking it since it was created in 1861, it is now most popular as a winter ski touring route. In this article we answer your questions about the Haute Route, including:

  • When is the best time to ski the Haute Route?
  • Can snowboarders go on the Haute Route?
  • How difficult is the skiing?
  • How old do you have to be to do the Haute Route?
  • How fit do you need to be?
  • Do you need a guide?
  • What equipment do you need for the Haute Route?
  • What should you bring with you for the Haute Route?
  • Do I need to bring food?
  • What are the refuges like?
  • Do I need to book the refuges?
  • What is the route?
  • How do you get back from Zermatt?
  • How do I book the Haute Route?

 

 

When is the best time to ski the Haute Route?

Although you can come down to the valley floor if conditions allow, most people stay in refuges – small mountain huts – along the route each night.

The huts tend to open in mid-March. We offer private guided groups on the Haute Route from mid-March to the end of April

As always in the mountains, the weather is never predictable. Even at this time of the season you could experience snow storms and sub-zero temperatures, or alternatively have to walk some of the lower sections if the snow has melted.

 

Can snowboarders go on the Haute Route?

Yes, snowboarders can access any of the terrain that skiers can, using split-boards instead of touring skis.

However, you should be mindful that split boarding is generally considered harder than ski touring due to some of the traverses that have to be crossed.



How difficult is the skiing?

It might be a surprise to learn that the skiing is not particularly challenging. If you can ski off-piste comfortably in most conditions, you should not find it a problem.

The bigger challenge is the ski touring. The Haute Route is not advised for your first ski touring experience, given that it is not just a ‘day out’ in the mountains; it’s several testing days at a high altitude (unless you try and do it in only three days - read about that here!)

 

How old do you have to be to do the Haute Route?

There is no minimum age to do the Haute Route, although minors must be accompanied by adults. More important than age is your fitness level!

We find a popular option is for parents to share the Haute Route experience with their children. 

 

How fit do you need to be?

The Haute Route is more than just a ski in the backcountry with some touring. You will be climbing for long periods and spending almost all your time between 2500m and 3500m.

Some days you might be on your feet for 6-8 hours, so take it seriously and prepare for it by training for 6-12 weeks beforehand as you would for any substantial endurance event.

Mild altitude sickness may be an issue, as there is less oxygen available to your lungs at higher altitudes.

This means you have to work harder than usual for the same amount of output. Some people find it difficult to sleep well at high altitudes and some of the refuges are over 3000m.

However, you will not be at very high altitudes so for most people keeping well-hydrated is enough. We recommend that you pack a supply of ibuprofen and paracetamol to help with headaches as well as rehydration salts.

 

Do you need a guide?

It’s not compulsory to have a guide, but you have to remember that this is the high mountain: it is not the environment to be trying to navigate from one hut to the next without considerable experience.

At Ski Weekend we will arrange an English speaking fully qualified UIAGM guide for you, with a maximum ratio of six skiers or snowboarders per guide.

We will book the refuges along the way, as well as organising your transfer back from Zermatt, plus your accommodation in Chamonix on either end of the trip, if required. 

 

What equipment do you need for the Haute Route?

Specialist ski touring boots and skis weigh less than ‘hybrids’ and are recommended. Touring boots are also more flexible than alpine boots and more suitable for skinning in.

Ski Weekend can arrange hire of good quality skis and boots for you before you arrive and as part of arranging the trip will ensure the right sizes are reserved for you.

If you don’t have avalanche safety equipment, this can be rented before you leave Chamonix. Everyone must have the ‘holy trinity’ of avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

In addition, you will need boot crampons and ski crampons, which we can also provide. While not compulsory, we also recommend you take a helmet with you.

Depending on the route you are taking [see Route section below], you may need ropes, for sections that we require you to abseil. Your guide will provide these, but you may need to carry some yourself. 

 

What should you bring with you?

You should aim to keep the weight of your backpack and equipment down. Every kilo you can shed will make the uphills easier. Ideally, we suggest you try to keep your backpack below 10kg in total.

Items to bring with you include:

Jacket  
Ski Pants
Base layer
Fleece + spare fleece/inner layer
Socks x 2
Thermal leggings
Ski gloves + lighter gloves for skinning sections
Goggles + Sunnies
Beanie + Buff(s)
Water bottle or bladder
Headtorch (may not be used while skiing, but useful for evenings in the refuge)
Compeed-style blister plasters
Suncream
Passport + money (Euros are accepted in all refuges)
Adaptor + Charger
Earplugs (in case you end up in a dorm with a snorer!)
Ibuprofen/Paracetemol
Food: see next section below

 

Do I need to bring food?

You don’t need to bring food as each refuge provides an evening meal, as well as selling snacks and water. These are priced at a premium, but that’s because they have been shipped up to altitude.

If budget is an issue, then of course you can take your own snacks, but keep them energy dense, delivering maximum calories/weight. Trail mix of nuts and raisins or protein energy bars are always popular choices.

 

What are the refuges like?

Most of the refuges on the Haute Route are basic accommodation with dorm rooms. You tend to arrive early in the afternoon, with time to recover, relax and enjoy the views before the evening meal. Then it’s early to bed before an early departure the following morning.

The refuges have power, so you can recharge your devices, but most have no wi-fi and the 4G phone signal can be variable.

Don't worry about booking refuges as we will do arrange this in advance for our clients (see below). The refuges typically open from mid-March. 

Prafleuri hut

 

Do I need to book the refuges?

No. We will arrange all of that for you, including advising any special dietary requirements, based on the itinerary we have agreed with you.

We will also arrange all the other relevant details including an experienced English-speaking guide, ski touring equipment hire (see above) and  your transfers to Chamonix and back from Zermatt.

Vignettes hut

 

What is the route?

There are many variants on the route. The exact route we plan for you will depend on the ability of your group and conditions at the time. We'll discuss everything with you at the planning stage and work out an appropriate itinerary for your group.

The classic Haute Route usually takes six days/five nights, roughly over the following stages shown below.

We also recommend a day in Chamonix before you start for you to meet your guide, do a gear check and practice your avalanche and glacier skills before starting.

This itinerary can be adjusted and tweaked in many ways to fit the time you have available and the ability of the group.

Day 1                                 Chamonix
Arrive into Chamonix in the afternoon. Pre-tour briefing and gear check.

Day 2                                Chamonix -  Argentière (2771m)
Climb to the Col des Rachasses from the Bochard telecabine, descend through the Rognons glacier to the Argentière glacier before heading to the Argentière refuge. We drop off our kit then climb to Col du Tour Noir to practice skills and a DVA search.

Day 3                                Argentière – Champex (1500m)
Climb to Col du Passon, then possibly on to the Col du Tour, depending on the snow conditions. From the Glacier du Trient we descend to the Col des Ecandies at 2796m then down to Champex. Approximately 5-6 hours with 950m+

Day 4                                Champex to Le Chable (by taxi) - Prafleuri (2624m)
Taxi transfer around 8am to  Le Chable below Verbier. We then take lifts to the Col des Gentianes at 2903m. After a short descent, it's up to the Col de la Chaux at 2940m before a long haul to the Col de Momin. We'll climb the Rosablanche (3336m) iva the glacier, then descend to the Prafleuri refuge. Approximately 5-6 hours with 400m+

Day 5                                Prafleuri – Dix (2928m)
After an early start around 6am we'll cross the Petit Col des Roux just above the refuge, then start the long traverse over the Lac des Dix, which we will follow until the Pas du Chat. We then skin up to the Cabane des Dix, opposite the imposing north face of Mont Blanc de Cheillon. Approximately 5-7 hours with 730m+

Day 6                                Dix – Vignettes (3160m)
Clime to the Col de Serpentine at 3423m. Depending on conditions, this may require the use of crampons and a short bootpack. Via the Col de Brenay at 3639m, we'll finish by climbing the Pigne d'Arolla (3796m). The stunning views include series of spectacular summits from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. The descent to the Vignettes refuge takes through glacial seracs. Approximately 4-6 hours with 870m+

Day 7                                Vignettes – Zermatt (taxi back to Chamonix)
From the Refuge, it's a short descent the large glacial plateau at the Col de Chermotane, passing by the Petit Mount Collon. It's then an easy  climb to the Col de l’Evèque at 3386m. From there it's a short descent on the Arolla glacier before climbing to the Col Brulé at 3212m. We descend on the Italian side of the Tsa de Tsan glacier before climbing again to the Col de Valpelline at 3562m. With the Matterhorn in our view, we'll enjoy the beautiful, long descent down the glacier to Stockjï and Zmutt, eventually skiing or taking the lift down to Zermatt (depending on snow). It's a long but beautiful day, so we'll start earlier than usual and finish with a taxi back to Chamonix. Approximately 6-8 hours with 900m+

Day 8                               Chamonix and return to UK

We always moderate our route depending on conditions and the group. At different points along the route there are options to travel lower down into the valley so you can stay at hotels instead of refuges. 

Note that our current schedule starts with a night at the Argentière hut (2771m) for their first night, before moving on to Trient. When the new Grands Montets cable car opens in December 2026, this may change our recommendations.

Other variations include the ‘Plateau du Couloir’ route, which is most testing and takes you via Bourg St Pierre, Valsorey and the Chanrion refuge.

The ‘Grand Lui’ variation is tougher yet and takes in La Fouly and the monastery at the Grand St Bernard. Both these two options require excellent snow, technical skills and fitness. 

 

How do you get back from Zermatt?

While it is possible to take a train back, which takes around four hours, all Ski Weekend clients on the Haute Route will have a private transfer back from Zermatt to Chamonix organised for them at the end of their adventure.

 

How do I book the Haute Route? 

If you’d like to take on the iconic challenge of the Haute Route, then please contact the Ski Weekend team via our webite or call 01392 878 353. Many of our team have completed the Haute Route themselves, so can speak from experience when helping you arrange your own trip.

We can make all the arrangements for private groups only of up to six (the maximum for a single guide).

Please note that we recommend booking at least six months in advance to ensure your place in the refuges. The refuges open in mid-March and we offer guided Haute Route trips from mid-March through to the end of April