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The Haute Route
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OverviewAspen Expeditons is offering its annual spring classic southern Haute Route ski tour from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. This exquisite ski tour is led by AE's owner, Dick Jackson, an IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide.The trip begins with two days of skiing around the quintessential ski town of Chamonix, France. It includes a ski down the famous Vallee Blanche where we include a session on skiing on glaciers and crevasse rescue. The Haute Route begins from Chamonix with lift access to ski from one hut to another mountain hut situated well above treeline. We will spend the next seven days traversing the Alps via the Grand Combin skiing hut-to-hut enroute to Zermatt, Switzerland. This trip also includes a ski mountaineering day of Mont Velan, a beautiful ski to the summit of a peak situated on the Swiss - Italian border. On this spring time trip we are always flexible with the weather, and sometimes we re-arrange the itinerary to meet our objective. Part of the adventure is the challenging and diverse snow conditions and weather with everything from winter powder to perfect corn. Our trip always includes an extra 'weather day' that gives us the flexibility to wait out a day if necessary. The Classic Haute Route is the premier ski tour in the Alps. It was first pioneered as a walking route in 1861 and connects two of the best-known alpine centers, Chamonix and Zermatt. It is a legendary alpine traverse across 60 miles of the most stunning scenery in the world – with glaciers, mountain passes and 4,000 meter peaks in every direction. Many ski options exist, but we prefer to follow the ‘Classic Haute Route’ itinerary as first opened up in 1911. The total distance covered is approximately 60 miles. The traverse starts in Chamonix/Argentiere and finishes in Zermatt. Chamonix is the center for alpinism in France, and Zermatt the center of all the early mountain exploration in Switzerland. |
BOOK THIS TRIP!OREmail us or call us at (877) 790-2777 TODAY to reserve a spot or for more information. |
Details
Trip length: 12 nights / 14 days |
ItineraryDay 1 - Fly from your home to Chamonix, France (Geneva, Switzerland is the closest international airport) Day 2 - Arrive Chamonix, France. Most flights arrive in the morning so usually you'll be in Chamonix by mid-afternoon. Day 3 - Ski a ski area around Chamonix (le Brevent or le Grand Montet) for a gear check & shakedown. Day 4 - Ski the Vallee Blanchee, a classic ski tour from the top of the Aguille de Midi down to town. This day will include a session on glacier travel & crevasse rescue techniques. Day 5 - Ski to the Triente Hut from le Grand Montet over the Col de Chardonnay. This day includes lift access to the top of the Grand Montet, a descent to the Argentiere glacier & ascent up to the Col de Chardonnay. From the top of the col we descend and tour around to the Triente glacier. Day 6 - This day is a classic ski descent down to Champex. From there we head to the small mountain village of Bourg St. Pierre. Day 7 - In the morning hike up an alpine trail toward the Grand Combin. We spend the night at the Velan hut. Day 8 - This morning we ascend Mont Velan for a terrific ski tour that eventually takes us to the Valsorey Hut. Day 9 - With a very early start we head out to the col near the Grand Combin. We will traverse around and ski down to the Chanrion hut. Day 10 - This day we will tour up to the Vignette hut. We have 2 options depending on the weather conditions. Day 11 - From the Vignette hut we ski over 2 cols past the Matterhorn to Zermatt. Day 12 - We head back to Chamonix and celebrate the trip. Day 13 - We build in an extra day to allow for weather related schedule changes. Day 14 - Depart Chamonix for home. Go To: previous page > the haute route |
0115 Boomerang Rd. #5201A, Aspen Highlands, Aspen, CO 81611
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