Haute Route, Ski touring, freeride, off-piste, backcountry, Alpine Energy Guiding, mountaineering & ski adventures, Andrew Lanham Mountain Guide, Chamonix, Aosta Valley, Swiss, lyngen alps

A “skiers” Haute Route

Chamonix to Zermatt is probably the most famous multi-day ski tour in the Alps. There are as many ways to go about the traverse as there are personalities that find themselves drawn to this iconic traverse.

With three guest from the US I found a slightly different way of doing this traverse, we made the most of the world class off-piste in the resorts along the way and of course not forgetting to sample the local cuisine and good wine en route.

We clocked about 16000m of descent and 2800m climbing over the 6 days. Thanks to the guys for a fun trip!

 

Skinning up to the Col de Chardonnet with the Grand Montets ski area in the background.

Skinning up to the Col de Chardonnet with the Grand Montets ski area in the background.

Skiing down into Switzerland to get a taxi to Verbier

Skiing down into Switzerland to get a taxi to Verbier

 

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Off-piste day in Verbier, below the face we just skied in great snow.

Off-piste day in Verbier, below the face we just skied in great snow.

 

sunrise over the Swiss Valais

sunrise over the Swiss Valais

morning view from the hut

morning view from the hut

Smooth turns down the Haute Glacier d'Arolla

Smooth turns down the Haute Glacier d’Arolla

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enjoying some classic Zermatt off-piste

enjoying some classic Zermatt off-piste