The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationSwiss / Valais
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AgeFrom 18 - 75 years
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CO₂-Emissions21.19 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Experience an exceptional alpine immersion by traversing the most spectacular section of the legendary Haute Route . This ski touring expedition, linking Arolla to Zermatt , transports you for four days to the heart of the most majestic glaciers of the Valais Alps .
Starting from the peaceful village of Arolla, you'll trek from mountain hut to mountain hut, stopping at the iconic Cabanes des Dix , des Vignettes , and de Bertol . This technical route offers a wild expedition feel , without the logistical commitment of the full traverse from Chamonix. Between panoramic climbs and crossings of isolated passes, each stage reveals breathtaking vistas. If conditions are favorable, the adventure culminates with the passage beneath the Tête Blanche , offering an unforgettable descent to the resort of Zermatt, under the watchful gaze of the imposing Matterhorn .
This journey demands excellent physical condition and solid off-piste skiing skills. Navigating high altitude on glacial terrain requires endurance and prior high-mountain experience. The reward: unforgettable memories and the privilege of reaching one of the most beautiful summits in the Alps under your own steam.
The highlights
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Discover the most beautiful sections of the Haute Route between Arolla and Zermatt
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Stay in iconic mountain huts: Cabane des Dix, Cabane des Vignettes and Cabane de Bertol
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Cross high-altitude glaciers and isolated alpine passes
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
This trip is designed for experienced ski tourers with a very good level of off-piste skiing, prior ski touring experience, and excellent physical condition. Participants must be comfortable in varied snow conditions, proficient in the use of touring equipment, and capable of spending several consecutive days on glacial terrain.
In figures
Ski touring
- Average distance/day: 11 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 908 m
- Average daily descent: 1056 m
- Maximum altitude: 3790 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
French
English
Bernard, a certified UIAGM High Mountain Guide, supervises the trip and ensures the safety of the group throughout the route.
This trip is led by fully qualified UIAGM mountain guides with extensive experience in ski touring, glacier travel, and mountaineering. Groups are limited to a maximum of 6 skiers per guide to ensure high-quality instruction and efficient group management throughout the trek. Each day, your guide will adapt the pace and route according to mountain conditions and the group's skill level.
Program
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Arolla – Cabane des Dix (2,928m)
- Activity Ski touring
- Distance 7 km
- Positive elevation gain 1000 m
- Negative elevation 40 m
- Maximum altitude 2850 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Your Haute Route trek begins in the peaceful alpine village of Arolla (1,969 m), in the heart of the Val d'Hérens. We recommend arriving the day before your departure to allow time to settle in, prepare your equipment, and get ready for your first day in the mountains.
After meeting your UIAGM high mountain guide for a final equipment check and safety briefing, you leave Arolla to begin a steady climb above the village towards the high mountain terrain of the Haute Route.
The route goes up under Mont Dolin and the slopes of Fontanesses before opening up towards the Pas de Chèvres sector and the Riedmatten pass, one of the classic accesses to the glacial world of the Valais Alps.
As you gain altitude, the landscapes become increasingly spectacular, with the peaks surrounding the Cheilon Glacier drawing closer and a distinctly alpine atmosphere taking on a new dimension. Beyond the pass, the final approach leads to the Cabane des Dix (2,928 m), superbly situated above the glacier, at the foot of a chain of peaks over 3,000 meters high.
After your arrival at the refuge, you will discover life in a mountain refuge over hot drinks, a friendly dinner and a restful night before the crossing the next day.
Day 1 -
Cabane des Dix (2,928m) – Cabane des Vignettes (3,157m)
- Activity Ski touring
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 1150 m
- Negative elevation 950 m
- Maximum altitude 3790 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Today constitutes one of the most beautiful stages of the Haute Route, linking the Cabane des Dix to the Cabane des Vignettes through the spectacular glaciers dominated by the Pigne d'Arolla.
After an early start, you descend onto the Cheilon Glacier, entering a vast alpine landscape of snow and ice at the foot of Mont Blanc de Cheilon. The route then gradually ascends the glacier towards the Serpentine, a wide snow slope providing access to the high glacial basins of the Valais Alps.
The ascent continues towards the Brenay Pass and then, conditions permitting, to the summit of the Pigne d'Arolla (3,790 m), one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the Haute Route. From the summit, the panorama extends over the surrounding glaciers and the major peaks of the Swiss Alps. A long glacial descent then leads to the Vignettes Hut (3,157 m), spectacularly perched above the glaciers.
Arriving at the refuge after crossing the Pigne d'Arolla is one of the highlights of the trip, combining wild landscapes, high mountain atmosphere and classic Haute Route terrain.
Day 2 -
Cabane des Vignettes (3,157m) – Cabane de Bertol (3,311m) via the Col de l'Evêque
- Activity Ski touring
- Distance 13 km
- Positive elevation gain 950 m
- Negative elevation 1041 m
- Maximum altitude 3382 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Today's route connects two of the most iconic mountain huts on the Haute Route, between the Cabane des Vignettes and the spectacular Cabane de Bertol. This magnificent alpine stage combines glacial progress, high mountain passes, and one of the most memorable hut arrivals of the trip.
After an early start from the Vignettes hut, the route descends towards the Vignettes pass before crossing a vast glacial plateau dominated by the surrounding peaks. The climb then continues towards the Bishop's Pass (3,382 m), one of the key passages on this section of the Haute Route.
When snow conditions are good, the descent from the pass is one of the highlights of the day, with wide glacial slopes and magnificent panoramas of the Upper Arolla Glacier. The route then continues towards the Plans de Bertol before putting the skins back on for the final climb to the refuge.
Perched above the glacier on a rocky ridge, the Bertol hut (3,311 m) is one of the most spectacular mountain huts in the Alps. The final approach offers a true high-mountain atmosphere, and arriving at the hut after a long day on glacial terrain is one of the highlights of the traverse.
Day 3 -
Bertol Hut (3,311m) – Zermatt (1,984m) via Tête Blanche
- Activity Ski touring
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 530 m
- Negative elevation 2190 m
- Maximum altitude 3707 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Today marks the grand finale of the Haute Route: a spectacular high mountain stage that ends with the long descent to Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn.
After an early breakfast at the Bertol hut, you carefully leave the refuge perched on its rocky spur before setting off across the glaciers. The route climbs gradually towards the Bertol pass and then traverses vast glacial expanses towards the Tête Blanche (3,710 m), one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Valais Alps. On a clear day, the panoramas extend towards the Matterhorn, the Dent Blanche, the Dent d'Hérens, and the numerous surrounding peaks over 4,000 meters.
The grand final descent begins at Tête Blanche. The route traverses the glacial landscapes of Stockji, Tiefmatten, and Zmutt before gradually descending to the renowned alpine resort of Zermatt. With the Matterhorn dominating the horizon, this is one of the most iconic finishes in alpine ski touring.
After four days of progressing from refuge to refuge through challenging high mountain terrain, arriving on skis in Zermatt is a particularly memorable conclusion to this crossing.
Day 4
Note
In four days, this route offers a real sense of progression: after leaving the peaceful alpine village of Arolla, you will climb into the heart of the high glacial peaks, walking between isolated refuges before beginning the final descent to Zermatt, at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn.
The pace is steady and sustained, with each stage dictated by mountain conditions and your guide's choices. Expect early morning departures, glacier travel, crossing high-altitude passes, and spectacular scenery, with the satisfaction of completing one of the most beautiful sections of the Haute Route.
This is a demanding high-mountain trek where flexibility is essential. Weather, avalanche risk, glacier conditions, and the group's pace can all influence the itinerary at any time. Your UIAGM-certified mountain guide will adapt each day's activities to the conditions. All decisions regarding route selection and safety are final and may include modifying the program or ending the trek prematurely if necessary.
Accommodation
The Cabane des Dix is a traditional Swiss Alpine Club mountain hut located at an altitude of 2,928 meters in the Valais Alps, in the heart of the classic Haute Route and surrounded by glaciers and high peaks. The hut offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere to ski tourers and mountaineers exploring this remote alpine environment.
The Cabane des Vignettes is a high-mountain refuge located at 3,157 m above Arolla in the Valais Alps, surrounded by glaciers and spectacular alpine peaks. Situated directly on the Haute Route, it is one of the most iconic refuges in the region and offers a true high-mountain atmosphere to ski tourers and mountaineers.
The Bertol Hut is a spectacular high-mountain refuge located at 3,311 m above Arolla in the Valais Alps. Perched on a narrow rocky ridge overlooking the Mont Miné Glacier, it is one of the most impressive and memorable refuges on the Haute Route, offering a true high-mountain experience in an isolated glacial environment.
Access
The stay ends in Zermatt. Thanks to the excellent Swiss rail network, it is easy to reach the main cities and airports of the country, including Geneva, Zurich and Sion, via a connection in Visp.
Before departure, we will provide you with all the necessary information to organize your return trip. When possible, we will also try to coordinate the transport schedules of participants wishing to travel together after the crossing.
Go to the starting point
- Rail journey: Take the InterRegio (IR90) towards Brig. Get off at Sion station (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes journey).
- Connection: Just in front of Sion station, board the PostBus (Line 381) towards Arolla, Post Office .
Price details
The price includes
- The stay will be supervised by one or more fully qualified UIAGM high mountain guides (maximum 6 participants per guide)
- Accommodation in high mountain refuges
- Half-board accommodation in the mountain huts includes dinner, breakfast and "hiking tea" for your thermos.
- Avalanche safety equipment: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
- Glacier safety equipment including harnesses, belay devices, ice screws and ropes
- The mobile app with all the practical information and details of your stay
The price does not include
- Transport to Arolla and back from Zermatt (train journeys to and from Geneva are straightforward for the beginning and end of the stay)
- Picnics, drinks and snacks (allow approximately €15-25 for a complete picnic in a mountain refuge)
- The night in Arolla before the start of the stay (we can recommend accommodations)
- Any lift passes or ski lifts (an optional ski lift on day 1 saves approximately 400m of ascent)
- Ski touring equipment: skis, boots, poles, skins, crampons and helmet (rental available in Arolla)
- Lightweight ice axe and mountaineering crampons (rental available in Arolla)
- Tips for the guide
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the necessary entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of connecting flights operated by different airlines, also remember to check the entry requirements of the transit countries.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable regulations, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (some countries, for example, require a passport valid for at least six months after your return date), any necessary visas, mandatory vaccinations, and health recommendations. Remember to also take into account any customs restrictions and other requirements specific to your destination or transit countries.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, we recommend that you regularly consult the relevant official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
You will need suitable ski touring equipment, technical mountain gear, and appropriate clothing for several consecutive days in the high mountains. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you before departure to help you prepare for your trip.
Clothing to bring
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Ski touring pants or mountaineering pants suitable for winter conditions
- Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or equivalent)
- A light down jacket or warm jacket for breaks
- 2 to 3 pairs of ski socks
- Warm gloves and lightweight gloves
- Hat and neck warmer
- Category 3 or 4 sunglasses
- Ski mask
- A cap or hat for sunny days
- Change of clothes for evenings in the refuge
- Slippers or light shoes for the refuge
We recommend prioritizing breathable technical clothing that allows you to adapt to temperature variations and exertion in the mountains.
