Grande Lui Haute Route ski tour
ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE
FLEXIBILITY
PURIST HAUTE ROUTE
SKI THE INTEGRAL CHAMONIX – ZERMATT HAUTE ROUTE IN 7 DAYS
This Haute Route variation is also known as ‘the purist’s Haute Route’. There are no taxis or lifts involved in this itinerary, you will complete the whole trip on foot – an excellent choice of itinerary for those who wish to ski the ‘real thing’.
This itinerary involves long ski days, on average 8 hours per day in good conditions. There are no easy stages and some of the passages are relatively steep and technical.
We run these trips in smaller groups, maximum 4 skiers per guide. This Haute Route variation is for expert skiers with lot of ski touring experience and very good level of fitness with strength and endurance.
Chamex Haute Route Packages
All our Haute Route packages are all-inclusive. We take care of all the logistics (transport, lift passes, booking of the huts, etc.) for you to just relax and enjoy the amazing skiing. Your trip with us starts and ends in our offices in Chamonix. There are no hidden costs. The only expenses you have to calculate with are packed lunches, drinks & snacks on the huts.
Why book your Haute Route with Chamex guides?
- Our trips are all inclusive – even the transport from Zermatt is included. The only costs you have to add to your budget are packed lunches, snacks and drinks in huts.
- Guaranteed pre-reserved places in huts.
- Flexibility – we will adjust the itinerary in case of bad weather.
- We work with fully qualified UIAGM mountain guides, local to Chamonix with years of guiding experience.
- All our guides speak English.
- We are locally run and fully French registered business based in Chamonix.
Prices
- Group of 2 skiers : 4390€ per person
- Group of 3 skiers : 3250€ per person
- Group of 4 skiers : 2690€ per person
From: 2690 €
Expert
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Fitness level 5/5
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Maximum 4 skiers per guide
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7 days of skiing
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Available March – April
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6 nights in huts
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday 16 March 2025
|
Saturday 22 March 2025
|
Available
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 23 March 2025
|
Saturday 29 March 2025
|
Available
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 30 March 2025
|
Saturday 5 April 2025
|
Available
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 6 April 2025
|
Saturday 12 April 2025
|
Available
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 13 April 2025
|
Saturday 19 April 2025
|
Available
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday 16 March 2025
|
Saturday 22 March 2025
|
Available
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 23 March 2025
|
Saturday 29 March 2025
|
Available
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 30 March 2025
|
Saturday 5 April 2025
|
Available
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 6 April 2025
|
Saturday 12 April 2025
|
Available
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Sunday 13 April 2025
|
Saturday 19 April 2025
|
Available
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Itinerary
Arrival day in Chamonix
The group will meet at our office in Chamonix Sud the evening before the first day of the trip. You will have an informal chat with your guide about the week ahead, weather, conditions, itinerary, etc. The guide will also want to check all of your equipment and make sure everything is in order.
Day 1: Argentiere to Trient hut
Early morning start to catch the first lift up to Grands Montes. Ski down to Argentiere glacier and skin up via Col du Passon (3 028m) to the Col Supérieur du Tour (3 289 m). Then the route takes you across the magnificent Trient plateau and up to the Trient hut where you will spend the night.
Descent 1100m – Ascent 650m – Time 6 – 8 h
Day 2: Ski to La Fouly
Ski from Trient hut by the Fenetre de Saleina and Col de la Grande Lui (optional: Grande Lui summit) to La Fouly for the night.
Descent 2 100m – Ascent 600m – Time 5 – 6 h
Day 3: Ski to the cabane Plan du Jeu
Ski from La Fouly to to the cabane Plan du Jeu for the night
Descent 880m – Ascent 1 350m – Time 6 – 8 h
Day 4: Ski to cabane de Valsorey
Ski from the cabane Plan du Jeu to to cabane de Valsorey
Descent 780m – Ascent 1 750m – Time 8 – 10 h
Day 5: Ski to cabane de Chanrion
Ski from the cabane de Valsorey to cabane de Chanrion via the Plateau du du Couloir.
Descent 1 500m – Ascent 910m – Time 7 – 9 h
Day 6: Ski to the cabane des Vignettes
Ski from the cabane de Chanrion to the cabane des Vignettes via the Pigne d’Arolla.
Descent 630m – Ascent 1 330m – Time 7 – 9 h
Day 7: Ski to Zermatt
Ski from the cabane des Vignettes to Zermatt via Col de l’Eveque, Col du Mont Brule and Col de Valpelline. A private minibus will take you back to Chamonix.
Time 8 – 9 h
Level requirements
Experience and fitness
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.
Training for Haute Route
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.
Additional services
Equipment hire
Please see the list of recommended equipment on the other tab. Most technical equipment can be rented here in Chamonix, please contact us if you would like prices and advice on whatever you need. Chamonix has dozens of outdoor shops selling everything from basic head torches to expedition standard sleeping bags, so whatever you don’t already have you can find it here.
Insurance
Search and rescue is not included in the trip package but is obligatory. This will cover you for search and rescue services, evacuation by helicopter and emergency medical treatment. You should also make sure that you have adequate travel insurance that covers you for the usual things such as cancelled flights, lost luggage, hospital treatment, etc. Please contact us to organise mountain rescue insurance for your trip.
Accommodation in Chamonix
If you wish to book accommodation in Chamonix we would be happy to recommend some local hotels, gites, self-catered apartments, or chalets and advise on the best locations. Please contact us if you would like help finding accommodation in Chamonix.
Airport transfers
We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well-established airport transfer companies which use new and comfortable vehicles and which have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.
To book your transfer, we will need the following:
- Your full name
- Mobile phone number
- Email address
- Your destination address
- Your flight details (date, time and flight number)
SHARED TRANSFERS:
This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one-way and 80€ per person for a return trip.
PRIVATE TRANSFERS:
Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it’s a door-to-door service, so you won’t be lugging any bags very far.
FAQ
Q1 I AM A VERY STRONG OFF PISTE SKIER BUT HAVE NO SKI TOURING EXPERIENCE. CAN I JOIN YOU FOR THE HAUTE ROUTE TRIP?
This itinerary is for advanced ski tourers therefore you can not join this trip without any previous ski touring experience. You will need very good skinning technique to be confident and 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 Ski touring course Chamonix introduction. If you did few day ski tours but no hut to hut trip yet, join our Introduction to hut to hut ski touring.
Q2 I AM ON A SNOWBOARD. CAN I JOIN THIS TRIP?
Due to the terrain on the Hate Route, this itinerary is not ideal for splitboarding. We do accept snowboarders on our Haute Route trips but as private groups only. You have to be a very good snowboarder, comfortable on traverses and flat terrain and efficient in swapping between riding and walking mode. You have to have good splitboarding experience and have already recently completed a hut to hut trip. We will be happy to organise splitboard friendly itinerary for a private group.
Q3 DO I NEED A SLEEPING BAG FOR THE HUTS?
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. The liner is obligatory in many huts.
Q4 HOW FIT DO I HAVE TO BE?
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.
Q5 WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SKI THE HR?
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 October. 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 this page.
Q6 WHAT SKIS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT SHOULD I TAKE FOR THIS TRIP?
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 of about 85 – 95mm underfoot width, fitted with a low tech bindings. You certainly want to take true ski touring boots – light and comfortable. We highly recommend to bring a helmet. There are many ski touring specific helmets on the market, which are lighter than regular downhill ski helmet.
Q7 DO I NEED A SPECIAL INSURANCE FOR THIS TRIP?
Yes, a search and rescue insurance is obligatory on these trips. Contact us if you need help organising this prior your arrival.
Q8 IS THERE WI-FI AND MOBILE RECEPTION IN THE HUTS?
There is no WIFI in the huts and the mobile reception is very limited.
Q9 CAN I CHARGE MY ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN THE HUTS?
In most of the huts you can but not all of them and potentially not every time. Best is to preserve energy when you can.
Guide Fees
7 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
Mountain huts
6 nights accommodation in mountain huts with breakfast and dinner included.
Lift passes
The cost of any lift access that is required during the course for the itinerary described above.
Transport
Any transport that is required during the course including the return trip from Zermatt to Chamonix.
Group Equipment
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
Office Support
Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguillle du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix.
Not included in price
Accommodation in Chamonix
Any accommodation additional to that provided during the course. If you wish to stay in Chamonix for a few days before or after your trip, we will be happy to help you find and book accommodation on request.
Packed Lunches, Snacks & Drinks
The course includes breakfasts and evening meals each day. You will need to provide and carry your own packed lunches, snacks, drinks and any additional food that you may wish to bring. On some days we may have the option of buying lunch at a mountain refuge or nearby restaurant.
Personal Equipment
Please see the “Equipment” tab to find out what you will need on this trip / course. For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your personalised kit list.
Travel to Chamonix
The price does not include flights, airport transfers or any other travel to/from Chamonix. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details.
Insurance
Travel insurance including a mountain search and rescue insurance is mandatory on all our trips (we can organise the mountai search and rescue insurance for you on request). We highly advice to have a policy covering the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.