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inspirational mountain adventures
 
 
welcome to www.chamonixzermatt.com
Have you ever dreamed of walking or ski touring the Classic Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt?
All our trips are led by IFMGA Guides on skis in Winter, & UIMLA Leaders for trekking the route in Summer.
Walkers Haute Route
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Ski Tour Haute Route
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The Haute Route route between the two historic mountain centres of Chamonix and Zermatt stretches for 114 miles and there is between 13,000m to 14,000m of ascent and descent taking you through some of the most famous landscapes in the Alps. Throughout the week you are surrounded by stunning 4000m peaks, and the ski tour or trek provides a challenge that many people repeat several times during their lives. It will appeal to those wishing to escape the hustle of the Alpine valleys.
For details on the
guides
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SKI: Haute Route to Zermatt 2010
Ski Skill
Ski Stamina
Photo of arriving at the amazingly positioned Bertol hut after the ascent from Arolla
Course overview Client feedback
The Haute Route route between the two historic mountain centres of Chamonix and Zermatt stretches for 114 miles and there is between 13,000m to 14,000m of ascent and descent taking you through some of the most famous landscapes in the Alps.
Throughout the week you are surrounded by stunning 4000m peaks, and the ski tour provides a challenge that many people repeat several times during their lives. It will appeal to those wishing to escape the hustle and business of the Alpine valley towns and ski slopes.
This course is ideal for those seeking a challenging ski tour, with the opportunity to use some mountaineering techniques, such as an ascent on crampons or an abseil. All roped techniques will be taught during the week, so don't worry if you are a ropework virgin!

Skiing ability should be fairly good as although there is only a little steep skiing, the slopes can be icy or rutted in places, with breakable crusts. There is also often more than a little powder on the descents! You will encounter most types of snow conditions.

A well matched group of people, with an inspirational Guide. We learnt loads and had a great time on our way to Zermatt. Your logistical support was great, as was the attention to detail
Suzanne Teal , Haute Route 2006
Thanks to everyone involved in making this happen for us; the guides, Chamonix team, and the UK office for putting up with my endless queries before the course. You were all great, and I can't thank you enough
Josephine Turner , Haute Route 2009
Great trip thanks... fantastic weather, excellent Guide and good company...
Russ Conway, Haute Route 2009
As this tour is continuous, it is quite physically demanding and requires a good level of fitness. Good stamina will make the route easier and more enjoyable as it involves five days of skiing at altitude with a pack.
The accommodation in the mountain huts is half-board throughout, with plentiful three course cooked evening meals and breakfasts each morning. This level of comfort is important, as you will need a good cooked meal after the efforts of each day, and by staying half-board you avoid having to carry stoves or pans.
Support and assistance from the Icicle Chamonix hosts is included throughout the week for logistics, valley travel, equipment fitting, and briefings. They will store any luggage that you do not want to take on the route, and transport you to the cable cars at the start of the week.
Dates: 14 - 20 March 2010, 21 - 27 March 2010, 28 Mar - 3 April 2010, 4 - 10 April 2010, 11 - 17 April 2010, 18 - 24 April 2010. For current availability on this course click here.
The course at a glance...
7 days, running from Sunday to Saturday. Price £849pp, includes accommodation.
• Classic ski tour from Chamonix to Zermatt, for those with some touring experience
Top tip... book an Intro Ski Tour weekend just before the Haute Route
You could also consider... Paradiso Tour or Ski Mont Blanc


Brief Course Itinerary
Starting in Chamonix, France, you traverse by ski the spectacular high mountain route to Zermatt, Switzerland. By staying each night in comfortable mountain refuges, set high in the mountains, this course will appeal to those who want to spend a week in amazing mountain scenery. Note that the Haute Route has many variations, and that it is often essential to alter itineraries often to cater for weather, conditions, fitness, hut spaces and ski ability.

Sun Travel to Chamonix to arrive for the 18:00 check-in followed by and course safety and itinerary briefings. There is time for kit checks or rental of equipment. Briefings are over by 20:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany the group to pre-dinner drinks. Night in Chamonix.
Mon Day 1 ski tour, 1:6 Guiding: From Chamonix valley, you ascend the steep Col du Chardonnet, either on skins or crampons. Often this involves an abseil to descend to the Trient glacier. An alternative route to the hut is either by the Col du Passon or from Le Tour, in case of icy conditions. Night in the Trient Hut.
Tue Day 2 ski tour, 1:6 Guiding: An early start from the Trient Hut for the exhilierating ski down to Champex. Transfer by road to Verbier, then ascend the Verbier cable cars to ski to the hut. Night in Prafleuri Hut. If you reached Trient from the longer Passon route, you may stay the night in the Montfort Hut instead.
Wed Day 3 ski tour, 1:6 Guiding: Praflueri Hut via the Lac de Dix and the Pas de Chevre to descend to Arolla, Switzerland. Night in Arolla hotel. If you started from Montfort you might go to the Dix Hut instead, and in this case would ski down to Arolla the following morning before starting the Thursday itinerary.
Thu Day 4 ski tour, 1:6 Guiding: A day of ski touring through amazing scenery as you ascend from the Arolla valley up to Bertol Hut on skins. This is a big height gain, but the day is not especially long, and you should not be too tired so as to enjoy the skiing on the last day. Night in Bertol Hut.
Fri Day 5 ski tour, 1:6 Guiding: An early start for the ascent of Tete Blanche from the Bertol Hut, then descend to Zermatt past the Matterhorn. This is a big day of skiing, but fortunately most of it is downhill, which will be a welcome relief. Return transfer to Chamonix. Celebratory dinner and night in Chamonix.
Sat Breakfast, then course debrief, with feedback and questions and answers session. Depart for home.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered. Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to the types of route / activity that you will attempt.

This is a slideshow of one of our Haute Route ski tours, so
that you can get a really good impression of what it is like,
and the type of skiing and landscapes that you will see.
These photos are from two of the winter 2009 courses.
Click here to visit the full Icicle photo gallery page.
Scheduled Course Dates Prices
Standard course
5 days guiding, 7 days holiday in total £849
Premium course
7 days guiding, 8 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Intro Tour weekend)
LINK
£1048
Secure online booking system
Standard Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guides for five days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Pre course information booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 5) Two nights B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. bedding & towels), 6) Four nights half board accommodation in mountain huts including three course cooked evening meals. 8) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 9) Road transport in Chamonix valley, 10) Chamonix office support and free Wi-Fi internet access.
Exclusions: 1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable Cars (approx 40€pp), 3) Ski hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 5) Return transport from Zermatt to Chamonix (approx 60€pp based on six), and road transport outside Chamonix valley (Champex-Verbier approx 15€pp based on six), 6) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges.
Notes: The loan of all technical climbing equipment for each client is included* in the course price as required: ice axe, 12 point crampons, helmet, harness, ropes, ice screws, avalanche tranceiver, avalanche probe and shovel.
Upgrade options
Intro Ski Tour Weekend
£199 (throughout the season)
This weekend course is run on every weekend before a Haute Route ski tour, and you get your ski legs back and to work on ski touring techniques, details.
Acclimatisation Weekend
£99 (throughout the season)
To get the most out your course, acclimatisation is essential so that you minimise the chances of AMS (altitude sickness) later on during your course, details.
Avalanche Skills Day
£49 (throughout the season)
To learn avalanche prediction, reutschblocks and use of avalanche tranceivers. Course is available on any day during the week (includes ARVA), details.
Want a private group?
The course price for our scheduled course dates is just £849 per person, and all the dates are guaranteed to run. There's no difference to the scheduled dates course price whether you are booking on your own, or as a small group. However, if you have a group and would like to form a private group,
Number of people
Cost per person
1 person in group
£2099 per person
2 people in group
£1299 per person
3 people in group
£1049 per person
4 people in group
£899 per person
5 people in group
£849 per person
6 people in group
£799 per person
whether you have a group of six people or are on your own, we can run a Haute Route for you on any week of the winter season. The table above shows the group rates for any group size. If there are more than six of you, you will require multiple guides, but can work out the costs based on the table. The prices for the private groups have exactly the same inclusions and exclusions as the scheduled courses, as detailed above.
TREK: Walkers Haute Route 2010
FEEDBACK: "I wasn't prepared for how contrasting all the valleys were on this amazing route.
It was a great holiday for us"
Steve & Briony, York, 2007
Course Overview
In the summer months the famous Haute Route, from Chamonix to Zermatt, can be made on foot as most of the deep winter snows have melted. The traverse requires no mountaineering experience, as all the skills required are taught to you by the leader during the week, and they are always on hand to assist you on the more technical sections. The summer Haute Route is essentially a high mountain trek between Chamonix and Zermatt, but you should be an experienced trekker, and fit to undertake this route.
Most nights are spent in mountain refuges on a half board basis, this course will really appeal to a hillwalker or a climber who likes to get away from it all, and you can pick up a lot of navigation and GPS tips from the guide. At each end of the week, there is a night spent in Chamonix.
This is quite a physically demanding route that requires a good level of fitness as the trek is continuous, with six days of trekking at altitude with a pack. Although you do not need to be super fit, good stamina will make it easier for you. The fitter you are the more breath you will have to enjoy the stunning scenery along the route.
You will travel with the same leader throughout the week, allowing them to know your strengths and adapt the itinerary to best suit your skills and previous experience: such as, if the group members are strong, there may be the opportunity to ascend some small peaks along the way as part of the route.
When staying in huts you are on a half board basis. This level of comfort is important, as you really need a good cooked meal after the efforts of each day of trekking, and with half-board you avoid having to carry heavy stoves, pans and food for evening meals. The hut guardian provides blankets and pillows, a cooked three course meal, and a simple healthy breakfast.
If you have any questions, or would like and further information, please contact our Chamonix Office team directly, as you can speak to an International Mountain Leader who can answer any query that you have about the itinerary or area. You can e-mail them on reps@icicleUK.com or call 00 33 67 55 621 55.
Dates: 26 June - 3 July 2010, 31 Jul - 7 August 2010, 14 - 21 August 2010 (8 days, with 6 days trekking). Extra dates can be run on demand from June through to September for groups of four or more people. For current availability on this course click here.

Course Photo Gallery
Your guarantee of the highest standards
On this course you are led by a International Mountain Leader (IML). This is the highest qualification for leading trekking groups in the Alps (where it is a legal requirement) and worldwide. To become an IML, it takes several years to train. During the treks their focus is on your comfort, enjoyment, education and safety, all of which are equally important. Being led by an IML to take you on a trek, you are hiring far more than someone to show you the way. You will learn about the environment, flora, fauna, glaciology, geology, and geography of the region. The leader will have a vast local knowledge. In terms of safety an IML can guide you on steep ground, on fixed equipment (ladders, chains, etc), and over snow patches.

Daily Course Itinerary
Sat Travel to Chamonix to arrive for the 18:00 check-in followed by and course safety and itinerary briefings. There is time for kit checks or rental of equipment. Briefings are over by 20:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany the group to dinner. Night in Chamonix.
Sun Les Ruinettes - Louvie. This section ascends to the remote Louvie hut. Why is our Haute Route starting near Verbier? So many of our clients have already completed the Tour du Mont Blanc or the Tour du Grand Combin, that the first couple of days would be repeated. Rather than insist on this, we offer the section of the Haute Route that will be new to you, and the effect of this is that you can complete this classic trek in one week, rather than it taking up a second week of your precious holiday time. We can arrange two extra days guiding for those who would like to undertake the first section from Chamonix to Verbier.
Mon Louvie - Praz Fleury. The days involves crossing several high passes.
Tue Praz Fleury - Les Haudères. Then it is the beautiful Arolla valley system.
Wed Les Haudères - St Jean. Here you cross into the Val d'Anniviers in the Valais.
Thu St Jean - Grüben. Today the aim is to cross into the Turtman valley area.
Fri Grüben - Zermatt valley. Here the route descends into the Zermatt valley, and you can opt to look around Zermatt before returning to Chamonix for celebrations! Guiding ratio 1:8 (max). Night in Chamonix.
Sat Breakfast, then course debrief, with feedback and questions and answers session. Depart for home.
N.B. ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered. Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to the types of route / activity that you will attempt.

Course Photo Gallery
Course Prices
Standard course
6 days guiding, 8 days holiday in total £899
Premium course
8 days guiding, 9 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK
£998
Secure online booking system
Standard Course Inclusions: 1) UIMLA Guide for six days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Two nights B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. beddings & towels), 4) Up to five nights half board in mountain huts (inc. costs for guides), 5) Pre course information booklet, 6) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 7) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 8) Evening technical instruction when in Chamonix.
Exclusions: 1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals in valley, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 4) Cable cars and mountain uplift (not normally required), 5) Transport from Chamonix to La Ruinettes, and from Zermatt to Chamonix, 5) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges.
Upgrade options
Acclimatisation Weekend
£99 (throughout the season)
To get the most out your course, acclimatisation is essential so that you minimise the chances of AMS later on during your course, details.
Mont Blanc Extension
from £449 (two days guiding)
Two days of extra guiding to attempt Mont Blanc, with the same guide who you have climbed with on this course. Ascent via the Gouter route, details.
Private Room Upgrade
£120
(7-27 June & 6-26 Sept)
£150 (28 June - 5 Sept)
The course accommodation is usually in rooms of two sharing. Two people booking / sending forms together are guaranteed a room of two sharing. This upgrade guarantees you a private room on your own for your course.
 
 
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