Ski the A to Z of the Haute Route Plus

Overview

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Saturday to Saturday, 6 full days skiing

Introduction

Where 'A' is for Arolla and 'Z' is for Zermatt - this ski tour is for those who have had their ambitions to finish the classic Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route thwarted with an enforced stop in Arolla. This tour picks up there, in Arolla; it completes the dream of descending on ski past the Matterhorn and into Zermatt. Of course, weather permitting!

After warming up the ski legs around Arolla, we take the route to Zermatt using three days (this gives us more flexibility compared with having the usual two). Firstly, after leaving Arolla, we ski up to the Vignettes Hut to spend a night there before skiing the next day to the Bertol Refuge. Early the following morning, we leave the Bertol; destination Zermatt. This gives us an advantage over those who will be coming all the way from the Vignette today; it enables us to take the lead and make fresh-tracks over the Tête Blanche and down past the Matterhorn to Zermatt.

By arriving into Zermatt, mid-week, we will have two-days in our pocket to make best use of the high, Pennine Alps for more ski touring adventures. That's the plus! After a night in Zermatt, celebrating our completion of all sections of the Haute Route, at last, we transfer around to Saas Fee. From here, we ski up to the Britannia Hut, taking in the summit of the Allalinhorn (4,027m). This hut puts us in a great position to tackle the Strahlhorn (4,190m), on the last day. Hopping off our highest summit of the tour, we skedaddle down the glacier to Saas Grund for a restful night in a local pension (perhaps some celebratory beers following a fulsome week of high mountain skiing may follow and a hearty dinner).

Start point: Arolla, Finish point: Saas Grund

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Outline Programme

Day 1:	Course participants meet at the course base at 7pm. Briefing on the week's activities in the evening.
Day 2:	A day tour from Arolla. Overnight hotel in Arolla.
Day 3:	Skin up to Cabane des Vignettes (3,160m), overnight hut. 4 hours to skin up to the hut (1,190m of ascent) following the Glacier de Pièce.
Day 4:	Ski tour to the Bertol Refuge, overnight hut. Via the Col de l'Evêque (3,382m) and a beautiful, long descent of the Arolla Glacier.
Day 5:	Ski tour from the Bertol to Zermatt, overnight Bahnhof hotel. Ski over the Col de la Tête Blanche and via the Stöckji Glacier, beneath the Matterhorn.
Day 6:	Ski the Allalinhorn (4,027m). Ascent from the Mittelallalin Station (3,456m) via the Feejoch (3,807m) to the summit with panoramic views. Overnight at the Britannia Hut (3,028m).
Day 7:	Ski the Strahlhorn (4,190m) and then ski down to the valley. 1,400m of ascent taking 6 to 8 hours. Drop onto the Allalingletcher and skin up, south-west to the Adler Pass (3,785m). Continue to the summit. Ski down to Saas Fee and take the bus down the valley to Saas Grund. Overnight pension.
Day 8:	Depart after breakfast.

Pre-Course Skiing Ability

Grade: 10C [ Ski Grading ]
This is a trip for experienced ski tourers who have previously undertaken intermediate ski tours in the European Alps, or similar back-country skiing in other significant mountain ranges.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the ski or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	Meeting in		Availability
2025 dates to be announced — Please register your interest

What the price includes

• 2 nights' hotel accommodation in Arolla - twin-sharing, half-board (B/D).
• 1 night pension/ hotel accommodation in Zermatt - twin-sharing, bed-only (no meals).
• 1 night pension/ hotel accommodation in Saas Grund - twin-sharing, half-board (B/D).
• 3 nights mountain hut accommodation - dormitory, half-board (B/D).
• 6 days' ski guiding (including all the IFMGA Guides' fees and expenses). Ratio 1:6 maximum.
• Luggage transfer from Arolla to Zermatt.
• Loan of Avalanche Safety Gear (digital transceiver, metal shovel, avalanche probe) if booked in advance and subject to availability.
• Loan of ice axe, crampons and harness if booked in advance and subject to availability.

What the price does not include

• Travel to Arolla.
• Homebound travel from Saas Grund.
• All/any ski passes or uplift/cable cars.
• Lunches, all days.
• Dinner in Zermatt on Day 5.
• Breakfast in Zermatt on Day 6.
• Transfer from Zermatt to Saas Fee, via Saas Grund.
• Personal clothing and equipment (such as skis, skins, ski crampons, ski boots).
• Travel & Rescue Insurance.
• Gratuities to Guides (optional).
• Tips to local staff.
• Tourist tax collected locally in cash by the hotel / accommodation.

Photos & Videos

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Travel & Venue

Fly to Geneva or Zurich. For Arolla, you can travel from the airport using the efficient Swiss Rail and coach network (travel time from Geneva is 3.5 hours). Plan you journey at www.sbb.ch. You should try and arrive at Geneva Airport around 2 p.m. The last train from Geneva to Sion is at 3:18 p.m. This links with the last bus which arrives in Arolla shortly before 7 p.m.

Valley accommodation is in Hôtel du Glacier Arolla. The accommodation is in private rooms and is provided on a twin-share, half-board basis. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the hotel dining room. The twin-share rooms also have a shared lounge and kitchen, meaning you have more space and can make tea/coffee for yourself. Should you want to have a room to yourself, this will be in the main hotel and a single room supplement is payable.

Valley accommodation in Zermatt is in Hotel Bahnhof. The accommodation is provided on a twin-share basis. A single room supplement is payable should you want to have a room to yourself.

Valley accommodation is in Hotel Pension Heino. The accommodation is provided on a twin-share, half-board basis. A single room supplement is payable should you want to have a room to yourself.