Ski Tour Walliser Haute Route
On the Valais Haute Route you will meet ski tourers from all over the world. This shows the worldwide popularity of this unique and beautiful skitour across the Alps. With the skis we move from Zermatt through the Valais to Italy and on the last day we finish our tour in France - From Zermatt to Chamonix in six days. Impressive ascents and long descents await us every day. In addition to exciting transitions, we also climb one or the other summit and enjoy the magnificent view over the snow-covered mountain range.
Tour Details
Group Tour (4-6 participants)
| CHF 1995 per person | |
Private Tour
| 1 person | CHF 5995 |
| 2 people | CHF 3295 per person |
| 3 people | CHF 2495 per person |
| 4-6 people | CHF 1995 per person |
To book a private tour please contact us:
| Day | Elevation + | Elevation - | Kilometers | Walking time |
| 1 | 550m | 450m | 7km | approx. 3-4 hours |
| 2 | 1300m | 2000m | 16km | approx. 6-7 hours |
| 3 | 1000m / 600m* | 100m | 6km / 4km* | approx. 3-5 hours |
| 4 | 1000m | 1400m | 14km | approx. 5-6 hours |
| 5 | 650m | 1550m | 10.5km | approx. 5-6 hours |
| 6 | 100m | 1500m | 15km | approx. 3-4 hours |
*if the ski lift is still open
Day 1: Ascent to the Schönbiel hut 2694m
Meet your guide in Zermatt and take the train to Schwarzsee. After a short descent you’ll mount your skins and ascend to the Schönbiel hut. From the terrace you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Matterhorn and the Dent d'Hérens.
Day 2: Over the Tête Blanche 3724m to Arolla
Early in the morning you’ll climb steeply over the "Stockij" towards Tête Blanche. The view from the top will be a generous reward for your efforts. After another short ascent to the Col de Bertol, you’ll descend to Arolla and spend the night in the cosy Valais mountain village.
Day 3: Ascent to the Pas de Chèvres
We recover from yesterday‘s demanding tour and head off, on more gentle terrain, to the Pas de Chèvres. In the valley below we see Switzerland’s biggest dammed lake; the Grand Dixence. Passing some ladders we get down to the Glacier de Cheillon. We cross it and soon reach the Cabane de Dix at 2928m.
Day 4: Ascent of the Pigne d'Arolla 3796m
After a steady climb through the impressive glacier bowl below the Ptes. de Tsena Réfien, we reach the Col du Brenay and then the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla. If the conditions are good, we will enjoy a sensational descent to the Cabane de Chanrion at 2462m.
Day 5 : Across the Fenêtre Durand at 2797m into the Aosta Valley
Today’s ascent is less strenuous and a long descent into the remote and rugged Valpellline valley lies ahead. Having arrived at the village of Glacier, a taxi will transport us to Courmayeur, a picturesque town on the foot of Mont Blanc, where we spend the night.
Day 6: By cable car to Helbronner at 3466m and ski the famous Vallé Blanche to Chamonix
On the last day we ski the spectacular Vallé Blanche to Chamonix. This long descent through some spectacular glacier terrain wraps up our week of skiing below the biggest peaks of the Alps. After a short stop-over in Chamonix we return with Mont Blanc Express train to Switzerland. Journey home from Martigny in the late afternoon.
| Season | March - May |
| Departures for official tours | See "Closest Bookable Dates" |
| Departures for private tours | Private tours can be booked daily |
| Meeting point | 10:15am at the train station in Zermatt |
- Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
- His or her expenses
- 5 nights in bunk room with half-board
- Tea for the next day
- Your expenses
- Snacks
- Rental equipment
- Costs for cable cars, ski lifts
- Costs for a taxi (guests pay for the guides share)
Backpack
- 30-35l
Clothing
- Warm, functional clothing
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Mountaineering or hiking pants
- Sunhat
- Gloves (ideally one thin and one thick pair)
- Beanie or headband
- Extra underwear and socks
- Thermal underwear
Footwear
- Ski touring boots or snowboard boots
The basics
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
- Thermos flask, drink bottle
- Silk sleeping bag liner
- Headlamp
- Toiletries
- Identity Card / Passport
- SAC/DAV permit (if you have one)
- GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
- Earplugs (optional)
- Camera and binoculars (optional)
Technical Equipment
- Harness
- Crampons with anti-snow plates
- Ice axe
- Locking Carabiner
- 120cm sling
- Ski touring skis or splitboard with skins and tele crampons
- Ski poles (preferrably telescopic)
- LVS (avalanche transceiver)
- Avalanche probe
- Avalanche shovel
- Avalanche airbag (optional)
- Ski helmet (optional but recommended)
General Information for Mountaineering School
Our team is here for you. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit us in our shop in Grindelwald. We are happy to help!
OUTDOOR - Mountaineering School Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103
3818 Grindelwald
Switzerland
Trip status for group courses
1-2 days before your tour or course we will review the weather forecast and conditions with the mountain guide to determine if we can operate. We will contact you by phone with an update.
Minimum of participants (group tours)
As soon as the minimum number of participants is reached, we will send you a confirmation by email.
Cancellation
If we have to cancel your tour, you have the option to reschedule to a new date, or you will receive a full refund.
Equipment
Please refer to the equipment list for your tour or course. At our shop in Grindelwald, you can purchase technical equipment, mountain clothing, shoes, and backpacks. We also have technical equipment available for rent.
Clothing
Choose functional clothing that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Dress in layers so you can easily react to temperature changes. The range at our shop in Grindelwald is tailored to mountain tours and our expert staff are happy to advise you on the best clothing for your tour or course.
Lunch
Lunch is not included in the offer. We recommend bringing bars, dried fruits, nuts, or a sandwich. The amount you will need to drink depends on your individual needs and the length of the tour. We recommend .75 -1.5 liters of water, warm tea, isotonic drinks, or whatever you prefer. We also recommend that you hydrate enough the day before, so your body is well prepared for the tour.
Huts
A mountain hut is not a hotel. Running water is not guaranteed and electricity is not available everywhere, so it is not always possible to charge batteries or phones. If you have special dietary needs, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with the hut.
Safety
Our tours and courses are led by IVBV certified mountain guides or mountain guide aspirants. We prioritise your safety by requiring regular training to ensure our guides have relevant, up to date knowledge. Outdoor is certified by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) and our safety and emergency concepts are audited by this organization annually.
General terms of contract
Our General Terms and Conditions apply.