CHAMONIX TO ZERMATT
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CHAMONIX TO ZERMATT From Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn! Experience the most famous ski tour in the world. An epic journey crossing spectacular terrain – a must for every ski mountaineer … This multi-day ski tour attracts millions of visitors every year. The adventure begins in Chamonix’s French Alps, as we spend 6 days in the scenic mountains before moving our way through a number of high, mountain passes into Switzerland and arriving at our final destination, Zermatt. Our reward will be a welldeserved pizza and drink! This advanced 6 day tour is for those who are intermediate or experienced skiiers, having toured previously. Our surroundings will be high mountain glaciated terrain, staying over-night in basic, yet comfortable mountain huts on a half board basis. Starting in Chamonix - the ‘home’ of Alpine mountaineering, we spend our days at high altitude in the surrounding glaciated mountains, and every night in mountain huts. We ski tour from hut to hut for the duration of 6 days, reaching Zermatt in Switzerland at the end of day 6, before returning to Chamonix that evening after a refreshing drink! Every day will involve long uphills, but promises some of the most impressive ski touring in the Alps. Long days (4-5 hours uphill), great skiing, amazing views, and a welcome drink in the sun afterwards make this a favourite tour.
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Anyone with some level of ski-mountaineering or a good level of skiing experience. You should be capable of skiing in all snow types (powder, porridge, crust, hardpack) and be fit enough for 6 days of back to back hard work! We get straight into it, so it is important that you are sure your equipment, boots and legs are working well before we set off. If you do not feel as confident, perhaps consider coming out a few days early for a refresher course, as a basic level of training is vital to complete this tour.
MEET: We meet on Saturday evening in Chamonix to deal with any equipment rental and run through the plans for the week. Return time to Chamonix on Friday evening, and recommend you book your return flight on Saturday morning.
ABILITY LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE OR ADVANCED• I can link, without traversing, at least 10-15 short or long radius turns off piste in any kind of snow. •
I have good control and choose where to turn most of the time.
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The thought of fresh powder excites me and I enjoy the challenge of difficult snow. I can sideslip forwards and backwards, sidestep up and down, and can ski 35-40 degree slopes. I ski off piste whenever I can and enjoy skiing far from the lifts/pistes.
FITNESS LEVEL - I can ski all day and hike/skin for 4-5 hours every day (1000- 1400m) DATES: Mid March to Early May. If you are a group of 2 or more people, we can arrange bespoke tours. Prices may vary! Email us for more info. DREAM-GUIDES.COM INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM . +44 (0) 845 564 52 19
HAUTE ROUTE – TYPICAL ITINERARY
SATURDAY: Depart The above is a typical itenary but weather or mountain conditions can result in change at the last minute (this is why taxis are not included in the price – the cost can vary). But rest assured there are many good variations we can choose from.
SATURDAY:Arrive in Chamonix and settle in to the chalet. We meet in the evening to discuss the weeks plans, do a kit check etc. SUNDAY: Warm up skiing, avalanche transceiver training and kit checks followed by descent to the Argentiere glacier, and a short skin to the Argentiere mountain hut (45 mins). MONDAY: An early start and ascent to the Col du Chardonnet or Col du Passon, followed by skiing to the Trient Hut (4.5 hours uphill). TUESDAY: After a fantastic ski down the north facing Vallee d’Arpette, we take a taxi from Champex to Verbier. We then use the lift system to access another great descent from Mont Fort. Another skin up the Rosablanche leads to a ski to the Prafleuri hut (3-4 hours uphill). A great day! WEDNESDAY: We travel over the Col des Roux and then traverse and climb to the Dix hut (5-6 hours total). THURSDAY: Climb up the Pigne d’Arolla and ski down to the superbly positioned Vignettes Hut. A long skin up (5 hours) followed by stunning views and a great ski descent. FRIDAY: An early start. We cross 3 cols before skiing down the stunning slopes of the Stokli glacier leading under the Matterhorn to Zermatt. This is one of the best days’ skiing in the Alps (10-12 hours total).
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Choosing an activity that you enjoy will maintain your focus and motivation levels. Using your local gym will advise you on a plan and schedule to help you achieve your goals. Good fitness levels will make your tour more fun and allow you to get more out of your week! Although we will tailor the course to your ability, we definitely recommend getting as fit as possible before you start. The process of training, will help you focus on your goal – and allow you to reach the best of your ability. So the more training you undertake, the stronger you will feel throughout the adventure! Ski mountaineering is all about being able to exercise at a moderate intensity for many hours (typically 5 to 12 hours) and your training should reflect this.
Remember, training does not work overnight! The fittest athletes train as part of their lifestyles and have built up their levels of fitness over a long period of time. We advise you to consider training for a good couple of months before coming out to the Alps and putting your fitness levels to the test.
We recommend endurance based training, such as doing long day hill walks or cycling as this simulates the real thing as closely as possible and prepares the mind (exercising for long periods in poor weather requires mental strength!). However, not everyone has the opportunity to do this and so alternatives such as jogging, cycling and gym workouts are also beneficial. The focus should be on training cardiovascular endurance for long days in the mountains. Cardio workouts such as cycling/running/rowing machines should be chosen over weight training. We advise you to exercise for up to a couple of hours at a time, and at least 4 times a week. We strongly recommend swimming and pilates to develop core stability and balance. Squats are a good way to strengthen your legs and develop a resistance to the snow. Remember to build up your workouts over time. If you are not used to exercising much, allow yourself an advanced time plan for your muscles and joints to avoid injury.
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THE EFFECTS OF ALTITUDE Chamonix is at an altitude of 1100m and it is rare that one would suffer from altitude sickness at such a level. However, the Haute Route takes you up to nearly 4000m which can at times have an effect on how you feel. As you climb higher, the air gets thinner so there is less oxygen in each breath we take. This makes exercising much harder work than at sea level, causing us to slow down and adjust to the high altitude levels. Due to the slowness of our efforts, we are more likely to feel colder and therefore become more susceptible to ‘altitude sickness’, or ‘acute mountain sickness’ which may include headaches, nausea, and dizziness, which can develop into a very serious and even fatal (in extreme cases) problem. However, it is highly unlikely for you to experience any lasting effects from altitude – but it’s something to be aware of, and let your guide know if you experience any problems.
INSURANCE We strongly recommend getting specialist travel insurance that covers cancellation, medical and mountain rescue. Make sure that it covers glaciated mountaineering and climbing. We recommend the Dogtag (www.dogtag. co.uk) - they have comprehensive policies and a good reputation.
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shovel, crampons, ice axe, harness, 1 screw gate karabiner, head torch 6. Sunglasses, goggles, sunhat, sunscreen, lip salve/ block 7. 3 sets socks and light coloured thermal tops KIT LIST Unfortunately we can’t recommend a specific brand and model for each item on the kit list, as what is available is constantly changing and, of course, different people are different shapes and sizes with different budgets! However, in general, we use and endorse Black Diamond and Sherpa products because in our experience they are excellent… If you go to a good retailers such as Snow & Rock, explain to them you will be back country skiing and they will be able to advise you on what is best for you. Bring this list with you… Lastly, if necessary it is possible to rent most hardware items in Chamonix. You can hire boots too, but this is a last resort (no one likes uncomfortable boots). 1. Skis with touring bindings - we recommend skis that you will enjoy skiing on, but are not too heavy, eg Rossignol B2 with fritschi bindings. With skins and ski crampons. 2. Poles 3. Boots - these must fit and be comfortable. We feel it is best not to rent boots if possible. Rather buy some and have them fitted professionally - this will make your week much more comfortable, fun and blister free! ‘Fit’ is more important than whether a boot is ‘stiff enough’ or not. I use a touring boot that is designed to ski well, rather than ultra light. 4. Rucksack - 40-50l. with ski straps 5. Water bottle Dream Guides Transceiver, probe,
8. Lightweight Gore-Tex top/bottoms, warm hat, thick gloves, thin gloves (when skinning). 9. Insulating layers. I use a thin ‘100’ weight fleece and a synthetic duvet jacket (thin). 10. Personal first aid - blister kit, ibuprofen. 11. Sleeping bag liner (you don’t need a sleeping bag as duvets/blankets are provided in huts) 12. Cash (mix of Euros and Swiss Francs) for travel expenses (eg taxi to Verbier) plus lunches and extra drinks / snacks in huts. * Remember kit should be lightweight but functional - you have to carry it! We can help with equipment rental in Chamonix. * CASH: You need to bring enough cash (mix of Euros and Swiss Francs) to cover: Share of taxi costs – normally from Champex to Le Chable, and return from Zermatt to Chamonix. Uplifts in Chamonix and Verbier. Plus extra drinks, snacks and lunches during the week. The cost of taxis varies considerably depending on the group size, but will be in the region of €30pp from Champex to Le Chable, €90pp from Zermatt to Chamonix, plus around €20pp per uplift (based on a group of 4 people).
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MORE INFO & BOOKING RATIO: 1:6 guide:client Level: Advanced and Expert Off Piste Skiers (see ski ability guidelines)
CHALET ACCOMMODATION: When staying in Chamonix, we stay in one of our comfortable Adventure Base Chalets (www. adventurebase.com), literally 6 minutes’ walk from the town centre’s restaurants and bars. Breakfast and packed lunch are included leaving the evenings free for you to explore the delights of Chamonix. Rooms are normally on a twin share basis. Have a look here for more details and photos: http://www. adventurebase.com/sun/accommodation/slider
Full Course Price includes: Guiding, guides expenses, twin share chalet accommodation in central WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MOUNTAIN HUTS: They are basic but comfortable. They can cater for Chamonix on a B&B and packed lunch basis (very vegetarians. Food is usually on a set menu basis (3 convenient!), mountain hut accommodation on a half course in the evening, hot drink and bread/jam/ board basis. cereal for breakfast). Often there is no running water and so you have to buy water to drink and wash with FULL COURSE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: insurance, travel to/from Chamonix, uplifts & taxis (eg (no showers). You can usually buy tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, chocolate bars and snacks. Sleeping Champex-Verbier & Zermatt-Chamonix), equipment arrangements are normally dormitory style bunkbeds rental, lunches/drinks/snacks, evening meals in (eg 6 people on the bottom, 6 on the top) with blankets Chamonix (it’s nice to explore the town!) or duvets, so you don’t need a sleeping bag. Huts provide slippers to be worn inside. COURSE ONLY INCLUDES: Guiding, guides expenses, 5 nights mountain hut accommodation (half board) only – not including boiled water for drinking. You can expect a good atmosphere and a stunning view! Other Information www.chamonix.net is a good Dream Guides -To find out more about our course, source of information about the town, the restaurants availability, or to ask any questions, please get in touch with through the website www.dream-guides. and the bars. There are many cash points in Chamonix and Maestro/visa/mastercard are all readily accepted. com or by phone on +44 (0) 845 564 52 19 You will need cash for incidentals in the huts, and taxis (Euros & Swiss Francs). GETTING TO CHAMONIX: Once you have booked with us and bought specialist skiing/climbing travel and cancellation insurance (the We look forward to seeing you soon! BMC), it is best to book flights and airport transfers well in advance of your departure. Easyjet have many DREAM-GUIDES.COM cheap flights to Geneva from all over the UK. INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM Swiss Air have cheap and convenient flights from London to Geneva. Booking a place on a minibus airport transfer service is by far the best way to get from Geneva airport to Chamonix (it takes about an hour or so, is cost effective and is a door to door service). If you have booked Full Course, we can book your airport transfers at a competitive rate – just email us with your flight details…