The ultimate variation of the famed Haute Route ski tour....one of the world's most amazing and classic alpine ski tours. On this 10-day variation of the Haute Route, we avoid using any vehicle shuttles (just the use of two ski lifts) and visit the famous Saint Bernard Monastery.

This European Alps ski mountaineering oddysey is a bit of a step up from the normal Verbier variaion and, except for one section, it follows the Haute Route as it was originally skied. It is for those who have previous multi-day ski touring experience and are up to the challenge of a more commiting Haute Route ski with bigger rewards.

After meeting in the French alpine town of Chamonix, we spend a day skiing a variation of the famed Vallee Blanche back to town while acclimating a bit and getting in some great skiing. The next day we launch off on the Haute Route spending the next eight to nine days traversing the French, Swiss and Italian alps mostly through the Valais region of Switzerland. We Finish up under the shadow of the Matterhorn. We build in an extra day (or two) in case of inclement weather which can also be used for some off-piste skiing in Zermatt.

Along the Classic Haute Route ski tour we enjoy some exciting ski mountaineering challenges and stellar ski descents such as Mont Velan and the Pigne D'Arolla. There's an emphasis on good ski descents as well as ski touring on this variation. We also vist some of the less crowded and more comfortable mountain huts.

We run this special variation of the Haute Route ski as a custom-only trip for groups of one to six skiers. This is to ensure group harmony with similiar abilities and physical strength.

The Classic Haute Route ski tour via St Bernard is led by IAG owner and IFMGA/UIAGM internationally certified ski mountaineering guide Dave Miller.

• Check out a Slide Show of the Classic Haute Route Ski Tour
• View the Itinerary for this tour
• For custom Chamonix off-piste skiing check out the Chamonix skiing page
• For other backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering tours check out our main ski touring page.

Location: We meet in Chamonix, France and and finish up in Zermatt, Switzerland. Best flight options are into Geneva or Zurich, Switzerland.

Prerequisites for the Classic Haute Route Ski Tour: Advanced to expert skiers with previous multi-day backcountry ski touring experience. You should be comfortable skiing black diamond to double black diamond runs at a resort in most any conditions. Some previous experience using crampons and ice axe. Excellent physical condition required.

Dates 2011: custom dates available from mid-March to early April.

7,8 and 9-day variations of the Classic Haute Route Ski Tour are also possible, contact us for details.

We have scheduled dates for the less-commiting Verbier variation. Check out the Verbier Variation Haute Route Ski Tour

Cost for the 10-day trip:
$3500 each for three total skiers, or for five to six total skiers
$3950 each for two participants
Can also be done as a private 1:1 ratio, contact us for details.

Included:

• Low 1:3 guest to guide ratio
• All mountain hut fees.
• Two nights lodging in Chamonix, one night in Zermatt, one night in La Fouly and one night in the Saint Bernard Monastery
• Breakfast and dinner at the mountain huts and the monastery (no meals included while in towns).
• Avalanche beacon use.
• All lifts during the tour.
• Baggage transfer from Chamonix to Zermatt.