• The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
  • The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis
Swiss / Valais

The Arolla – Zermatt High Route on skis

Réf : UBBQUJ

In summary

  • Sports
    Ski touring
  • Duration
    4 days
  • Level
    Advance

    Levels

    Ski touring
    Beginner
    For those who have never done ski touring or off-piste skiing but are comfortable skiing down red or black runs. You will ski for 3 to 4 hours a day. You must be capable of skinning uphill for a minimum of 2 to 3 hours, covering an elevation gain and loss of between 300m and 600m per day.
    Intermediate
    For those who have already skied off-piste using ski lifts. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day. Vertical gain can reach 800 m per day.
    Confirmed
    For those who occasionally go ski touring and off-piste skiing. You are capable of skiing down almost any terrain and ski for several consecutive days. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day, with vertical gains of up to 1,000 m per day.
    Advanced
    For regular ski tourers. You are capable of skiing down any type of snow on slopes of up to 40°. You frequently ski in powder. You have perfect control over your speed, sideslipping, and both uphill and downhill kick turns. You have prior experience with ski touring or with vertical gains exceeding 1,200m. You are capable of maintaining this level of activity over several consecutive days.
    Expert
    For regular ski tourers: You are capable of skiing down all types of snow on slopes exceeding 40°. You frequently ski in powder and have perfect control over your speed and sideslipping. You have experience with ski touring involving vertical gains of over 1,400m and have previously completed several consecutive days under these conditions.
  • Destination
    Swiss / Valais
  • Age
    From 18 - 75 years
  • CO₂-Emissions
    21.19 kg CO2
  • Type of stay
    This group trip is perfect for travelers who want to experience a sporting adventure with other enthusiasts and be guided.
    Type of stay
    In a group
  • 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

  • Discover the most beautiful sections of the Haute Route between Arolla and Zermatt
  • Stay in iconic mountain huts: Cabane des Dix, Cabane des Vignettes and Cabane de Bertol
  • Cross high-altitude glaciers and isolated alpine passes
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Photos

Sport

Level

Ski touring

Advance

Levels

Ski touring
Beginner
For those who have never done ski touring or off-piste skiing but are comfortable skiing down red or black runs. You will ski for 3 to 4 hours a day. You must be capable of skinning uphill for a minimum of 2 to 3 hours, covering an elevation gain and loss of between 300m and 600m per day.
Intermediate
For those who have already skied off-piste using ski lifts. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day. Vertical gain can reach 800 m per day.
Confirmed
For those who occasionally go ski touring and off-piste skiing. You are capable of skiing down almost any terrain and ski for several consecutive days. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day, with vertical gains of up to 1,000 m per day.
Advanced
For regular ski tourers. You are capable of skiing down any type of snow on slopes of up to 40°. You frequently ski in powder. You have perfect control over your speed, sideslipping, and both uphill and downhill kick turns. You have prior experience with ski touring or with vertical gains exceeding 1,200m. You are capable of maintaining this level of activity over several consecutive days.
Expert
For regular ski tourers: You are capable of skiing down all types of snow on slopes exceeding 40°. You frequently ski in powder and have perfect control over your speed and sideslipping. You have experience with ski touring involving vertical gains of over 1,400m and have previously completed several consecutive days under these conditions.
For regular ski tourers. You are capable of skiing down any type of snow on slopes of up to 40°. You frequently ski in powder. You have perfect control over your speed, sideslipping, and both uphill and downhill kick turns. You have prior experience with ski touring or with vertical gains exceeding 1,200m. You are capable of maintaining this level of activity over several consecutive days.

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

During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Band : 1 supervisor for 4 to 6 people
Languages ​​spoken:
🇫🇷
French
🇬🇧
English
Bernard

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.

Management

Security

Safety is the top priority throughout the trip. The itinerary may be modified or adapted depending on the weather, avalanche risk, glacial conditions, and the group's pace. Avalanche safety equipment and glacier travel gear are included, and all decisions regarding the itinerary are made by your UIAGM guide, whose judgment prevails on all matters related to the mountain and safety.
Learn more about supervision

Program

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
  • map

    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

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

During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.

Access

Departure
Arolla, Evolène, Suisse
Day 1 : 09h00
End of stay
Zermatt, Suisse
Day 4 - 16h00

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

Access by train
Take the train toGenève-Cornavin
  1. Rail journey: Take the InterRegio (IR90) towards Brig. Get off at Sion station (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes journey).
  2. Connection: Just in front of Sion station, board the PostBus (Line 381) towards Arolla, Post Office .
Access by car
Travel to the place of stay Find out about parking options nearby
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Price details

The price includes

  1. The stay will be supervised by one or more fully qualified UIAGM high mountain guides (maximum 6 participants per guide)
  2. Accommodation in high mountain refuges
  3. Half-board accommodation in the mountain huts includes dinner, breakfast and "hiking tea" for your thermos.
  4. Avalanche safety equipment: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
  5. Glacier safety equipment including harnesses, belay devices, ice screws and ropes
  6. The mobile app with all the practical information and details of your stay

The price does not include

  1. Transport to Arolla and back from Zermatt (train journeys to and from Geneva are straightforward for the beginning and end of the stay)
  2. Picnics, drinks and snacks (allow approximately €15-25 for a complete picnic in a mountain refuge)
  3. The night in Arolla before the start of the stay (we can recommend accommodations)
  4. Any lift passes or ski lifts (an optional ski lift on day 1 saves approximately 400m of ascent)
  5. Ski touring equipment: skis, boots, poles, skins, crampons and helmet (rental available in Arolla)
  6. Lightweight ice axe and mountaineering crampons (rental available in Arolla)
  7. Tips for the guide

Options

  1. Flex fare and insurance

Practical information

Specific formalities
Equipment
U
Decathlon Travel Partner

Our partner team

4.3/5 (6 reviews) • 32 stays
A Franco-British agency based in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes, our partner offers year-round mountain sports holidays. Led by passionate, bilingual guides, the team is committed to responsible tourism and welcomes an international clientele. Thanks to a strong network of local partners, enjoy all-inclusive holidays or join a group to explore unspoiled paradises in every season.
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