GRANDE LUI HAUTE ROUTE SKI TOUR

You need to have the following experience and level to join us on these trips:

• Expert off piste ski level, you have to be comfortable, quick and efficient skiing in all snow conditions. You have to confident skiing on steep terrain. 
• Very good ski touring experience is also required. You need to be quick and efficient in skinning, be confident to do kick turns on varied and steep terrain. 
• Experience in using boot crampons, ski crampons and ice axe. 
• You should have already completed at least one hut-to-hut ski tour. 
• High level of fitness and good endurance.

Haute Route and its variations are all physically and technically very demanding. 

You have to be able to hike and ski for about 6 hours without getting too tired the next day. Remember that skiing with a rucksack is more tiring than skiing without one. We will advise you how to reduce the size & weight of your backpack to minimum but you will still have to carry all the essentials. The snow may also not be the easiest to ski if windblown or crusty - you can expect all snow conditions along the way. In short, the fitter you will be more fun you will have on this trip. Best way to prepare is to regularly exercise - running, biking and uphill hiking will keep you stamina at a good level. 

You have to have very good skinning technique and know how to efficiently use your equipment (skis, skins, boot crampons and ice axe, ski crampons). Therefore it is very important that you have good ski touring experience and done some technical tours with use of crampons and ice axe. Ideally, you have already done one hut-to-hut tour and know how to be energy efficient while hiking and skiing. Since Haute Route season starts closer to the springtime, you have plenty of time to ski and ski tour prior the trip.

No you can not. You will need very good skinning technique to be quick and to preserve energy - this can be achieved by extensive ski touring experience. You should also have previous hut-to-hut ski touring experience to join this tour. If you have never ski toured before, join our Introduction to Ski Touring course. If you did few day ski tours but no hut-to-hut trip yet, join our Introduction to Hut to Hut trip. 

We do accept snowboarders on our Haute Route trips. You have to have good splitboarding experience and have already recently completed a hut to hut trip. Please note that we do not mix splitboarders and skiers on our collective trips. We will be happy to organise splitboard friendly itinerary for a private group. 

No, you just need a sleeping bag liner. All huts are equipped with warm covers but they do not have fresh linen. The liner serves as personal linen, it is for hygienic purposes. 

You will be skiing and hiking in high Alpine environment for about 9h per day for 7 consecutive days. You have to be fit and strong to complete the day pitches without getting too tired the next day. 

The Haute Route season starts mid March and ends at the beginning of May. The huts are closed outside of this time span and the snow conditions / weather are rarely favourable for this trip. If you enquire for this trip for a private group, you can chose any dates within this time-frame as long as you place your booking with us by the end of September. Check with us for later booking, we may still be able to reserve your places in huts. If you wish to book for a group trip, please check the dates we have on our website. 

You want to have as light gear as possible. Modern ski touring skis are light and still perform well in deep and varied snow. You want to have skis maximum 95mm under the foot fitted with a low tech bindings. You certainly want to take true ski touring boots - light and comfortable. If you wish to bring a helmet, bring a light climbing helmet instead of the heavy and hot ski helmet. 

Yes, a search and rescue insurance is obligatory on these trips. Contact us if you need help organising this prior your arrival.

There is no WIFI on the huts and the mobile reception is very limited.