Ski tour | Valais Haute Route Original | Border tour from Chamonix to Zermatt with a mountain guide

Probably the most famous ski crossing of the Alps: from Chamonix to Zermatt! In seven days over large glaciers and across the Valais high mountains on the border between Switzerland, France and Italy!

Technics
Endurance
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Border tour Chamonix - Zermatt

The start and finish remain classic - from Chamonix to Zermatt. However, we have chosen the exact route so that we are a little off the beaten track. We will be travelling for seven days and staying overnight in six different huts. We will be self-catering in at least one of them, a very special and unique experience. The chosen route offers incredible insights into the world of glaciers and the mountains that harbour them. We will also enjoy the company, the stories that are told and the shared enthusiasm for ski touring.

Last year, photographer Joni Hedinger and Bianco magazine organised a Report on the Haute Route written. Take a look!

  • Procedure and meeting place

    • Meeting place

      10:30 am Argentiere railway station (easily accessible by train)

      We meet at the railway station in Argentiere and walk together to the valley station of the Grand Montets cable car.

    • Day 1: Arrival and ascent to the Refuge d'Argentière

      650m

      450m

      5.5 Km

      Arrival in Argentiere, take the cable car up and after a great first descent we cross the Glacier d'Argentière to the Refuge d'Argentière

      • Overnight stay: Refuge d'Argentière

    • Day 2: Transition to the Trento

      1000m

      850m

      8 Km

      Ascent to the Col du Chardonnet and abseiling to the Swiss side. Glacier descent and short final ascent to the bivouac.

      • Overnight stay: Bivouc de l'Envers des Dorées

    • Day 3: Morning descent and change of valley

      1300m

      1400m

      11 Km

      Long descent over the Glacier de Saleinaz and descent on foot to the water catchment where the taxi picks us up and takes us down to the valley. Ascent to the Cabane de Valsorey. The longest and toughest day!

      • Overnight stay: Cabane de Valsorey

    • Day 4: Under the spell of the Grand Combin, we cross its southern side

      950m

      1500m

      11 Km

      Ascent with crampons to the Plateau du Couloir, glacier descent to the Glacier du Mont Durand and ascent to the Cabane de Chanrion.

      • Overnight stay: Cabane de Chanrion with a well-deserved shower!

    • Day 5: Around or on the Pigne d'Arolla

      1200m

      550m

      10 Km

      Ascent over the glacier to the Pigne d'Arolla or to one of the pre-summits, descent and short return ascent to the imposing Cabane des Vignettes.

      • Overnight stay: Cabane des Vignettes

    • Day 6: From one impressive hut to the next; Cabane de la Vignette - Cabane de Bertol

      1250m

      1100m

      13 Km

      A short descent to the Glacier du Mont Collon. Crossing the glacier at sunrise to the summit of Pointes d'Oren. A marvellous descent over the Haut Glacier d'Arolla and finally a varied ascent to the Cabane de Bertol.

      • Overnight stay: Cabane de Bertol

    • Day 7: Wild glaciers and a unique descent to Zermatt

      600m

      2000m

      18 Km

      Final stage over the summit of the Tête Blanche with a long and impressive descent over the Stockji Glacier and Tiefmatten Glacier to Furi near Zermatt. Thanks to the old pistes, there is still plenty of snow here! Banquet in Zermatt 😀

       

  • Requirements

    • Mastering the ski touring technique with its basics (skins, hairpin turns).
    • Safe downhill technique in open terrain and in different types of snow.
    • You have first experience with ice axe and crampons.
    • Stamina for ski tours of around 1300 metres at a normal pace (~300-350m/h).
    • In addition, there are sections where we carry the skis and trudge through the snow.
    • This tour is not suitable with a splitboard.

  • Price and services

    • CHF 2090.-
    • Including accommodation costs with half board.
    • Takes place with up to 4-6 guests per guide.
    • Including planning and realisation with mountain guide and his travel expenses.
    • Excluding travel expenses, possible train tickets, personal consumption.

  • Material and equipment

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, preferably directly at Florian or via the Contact form. 

That's what our guests say:

  • Fabian Steinegger

    Only Bergschaft was enthusiastic from the very beginning about going to the Valais Haute with a group of splitboarders and skiers. In addition to the already very cool offer, you are always open to special requests. We were well looked after in the preparation phase, we were able to get to know each other on the test tour and were therefore well prepared for the tour. We experienced a wonderful and unforgettable week of mountaineering with fantastic conditions, cool people and top guides. A big thank you to Jasper, Alajuma, Flo and Jonas. We are already looking forward to the next tour with Bergschaft, the Uri Haute Route, with Jonas Alajuma. Ps: The tour mail is great

  • Dirk Rinker

    I have the very best memories of the Valais Haute Route. It was such a great adventure with passion and joy. Great Job Bergschaft - See you again 💪🙏

  • Robert Brennwald

    This was my 2nd time on a Haute Route with Bergschaft. First the Grisons, then the Valais. Both tours were super organised, super guided. The scenery, especially on the Valais Haute Route, was stunning. Even if the weather didn't always play ball, it was great fun in a group. Everyone pitched in at the bivouac, whether it was melting snow for soup, cooking or washing up, it was just great to be able to experience moments like this. Many thanks! I can only advise everyone to sign up and experience such unforgettable moments. I can highly recommend Bergschaft, everything is very professionally organised and run, for me it is clear that this will not be the last tour.

Impressions: Border tour Valais Haute Route

    Ski tours on the Valais Haute Route
    Valais Haute Route

This is how you come with us on the Valais Haute Route:

  • 23 - 29 March 2026, Monday - Sunday, 7 days
    Only 6 free places left
    Bookmark tour
    Mountain guides
    Florian Bosshard and Kevin Kohler
    CHF 2090.-
  • 27 Apr - 3 May 2026, Monday - Sunday, 7 days
    Only 6 free places left
    Bookmark tour
    Mountain guide
    Marc Lüthi
    CHF 2090.-

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Information on endurance and technique

Here you will find the organisation of our tours as a guideline. If you are unsure which level suits you best, feel free to get in touch - We can help you!

Technics

Technology 1 - for beginners

Easy tours, suitable for beginners. The terrain is easy and moderate. No previous mountaineering experience is necessary.

Ski toursSafe skiing on the black piste in the ski area. No previous knowledge of ski touring necessary.

Technique 2 - Leisurely tours

Easy to slightly challenging tours with short, steeper sections that we master together and with coaching. You are ready for this level after a basic or taster course.

Ski toursFirst off-piste experience up to approx. 30° slope gradient. You have mastered the basic techniques of ski touring and have some experience of hairpin bends.

Technique 3 - Medium tours

Medium-difficulty tours with short, technical sections that are easy to do with some previous experience. You have already done a few tours and feel confident with your equipment and technique.

Ski toursYou are confident in off-piste terrain up to a slope angle of approx. 35° and are proficient in hairpin bends in a variety of terrain. 

Technique 4 - First big tours

Challenging tours with longer, steeper passages that require a good level of experience and skill. We secure these sections with ropes and coach you through difficult sections. Suitable for adventure-seekers with solid basic training.

Ski toursSafe skiing in steep off-piste terrain (up to approx. 40°), solid hairpin technique. First experience with rope manoeuvres, such as roping up on the glacier and abseiling.

Technique 5 - Grand tours

Very demanding tours, with technical passages that require a good level of experience and skill. These are secured, but smooth, rapid progress is required. For experienced climbers with plenty of experience and a thirst for adventure.

Ski toursYou are a very safe skier on steep, unsecured terrain. You are a master of hairpin turns in difficult conditions and have experience with rope manoeuvres and glacier equipment.

Endurance

Endurance 1 - Easy tours

Easy tours with plenty of time to take a break and enjoy.

  • Elevation gain: approx. 500 - 800 metres per day, 
  • Pace: approx. 250 - 300 m / h.
Endurance 2 - Leisurely tours

"Normal" tour at a leisurely pace with 800 - 1000 vertical metres per day, ~300 hm / h.

Endurance 3 - Medium tours

Longer tours at a steady, fluid pace. A solid basic level of fitness is required here.

  • Elevation gain: approx. 1200 metres per day
  • Pace: approx. 350 m / h.
Endurance 4 - First big tours

Long and challenging tours at a brisk but constant pace. Ideal for active sports enthusiasts.

  • Elevation gain: up to 1500 metres per day
  • Pace: approx. 350 m / h.
Endurance 5 - Long tours

Very long tours with more than 1500 metres in altitude per day. Requires very good fitness and stamina.

  • Elevation metres: 1500 m + per day
  • Pace: approx. 400 m / h.

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