ALPINE INITIATIVES
HAUTE ROUTEº2
APRIL 6-16, 2025
Intro
Join the extended Alpine Initiatives (AI) family for a 11-day high alpine tour from Chamonix to Zermatt.
One of the most renowned ski traverses in the world, this route travels through high mountain passes and wild broken glaciers. Crossing some of the most spectacular mountain terrain, the experience combines perfect alpine descents with European comforts and lifestyle.
AI’s founder JP Auclair was captured saying that he relished time in high alpine huts - to have time away from it all to unplug and reset. He completed the Haute Route with some of his best friends the year prior to his untimely death. The experience is to honor him, his spirit and humble way of always encouraging us to do more.
Part of the ‘Share the Experience’ concept, all proceeds from the trip will benefit Alpine Initiative’s Canary Club. Primarily focused on engaging and influencing youth that are in close geographical proximity to the outdoors, the goal of the Canary Club program is to provide an outdoor experience to kids who don’t have the means or otherwise the support to do so on their own. Alpine Initiatives believe that a connection to the mountains builds confidence in our youth and harnesses a fun and positive outlook to the surrounding world.
Prequisites
Advanced ski ability (black diamond runs and off-piste capabilities)
Previous ski touring experience
Moderate fitness (ability to walk uphill for 4-6 hours)
Adaptability and eagerness for adventure
Powder skiing experience (minimum 30 days)
THE ROUTE:
A legendary 120km high alpine tour from Chamonix, the birthplace of modern alpinism and ski mountaineering, to Zermatt in the shadow of the iconic Matterhorn over a period of 7 unforgettable days. Following the footsteps of pioneers, tour though the high alpine and be rewarded with vistas of Mont Blanc, Grand Combin, Monta Rosa and the Matterhorn.
Guide(s)
UIAGM/IFMGA GUIDE(S)
Based in Chamonix and well-versed in the vertical dimension, our highly qualified guides lead the journey. Chosen not only for the years of experience on this route, but for their desire to teach you skills that will facilitate the ascents and descents. The strong and consistent guides gather weather and route reports each day and offer briefings that make you feel well-cared for as you continue along the way. With the logistics and safety accounted for, you’re free to walk lightly and enjoy each day. While not known for the genial rapport, encouraging the French guides to crack a smile from time-to-time proves to be one of the most amusing of past-times.
JEN BRIE JOHNSON
Culled from the mountains, Jen Johnson is inspired by the beautiful places that she calls home. Between her studies and the formation of Roov in Switzerland to her numerous ski trips throughout the region and time well-spent in Chamonix, the Alps have always evoked big thoughts and offered much needed inspiration. Consistently designing with the mountain enthusiast in mind, she illustrates an adventurous zeal and ski experience of a lifetime. As the grand dame of Alpine Initiatives (AI), Jen conceptualizes a journey that raises funds for the non-profit and leads to deeper connections and future initiatives. Often told she is the ‘most fun adventure partner’, it’s an absolute pleasure for her to join the experience.
ET PLUS
A deep well and range of personalities, Roov hopes to rope in a few of the extended Alpine Initiatives family to round out an all-star cast.
day by day
ITINERARY
Day 1
Upon arrival into the Geneva airport (GVA), you are met by your driver and transferred 1.5 hours to Chamonix. You are invited into to the chalet with a warm drink and escorted to your room with time to settle in and rest.
In the early evening, you are welcomed to the experience and you’re encouraged to sort your personal equipment and ski gear as needed. If you have rented equipment, it will be at the chalet upon your arrival.
Here, we will have an informal chat about the week ahead, weather, conditions, itinerary, etc. The guide(s) will want to check all of your equipment. You have time to pick up any missing equipment and reorganize before setting off tomorrow.
Freshen up or go straight to the table for some bitings and beverages. The welcome dinner is served.
NOTE: Airport pick-up is for arrival day only. Should you plan to arrive earlier and stay at another hotel, you are responsible for your own transfer arrangements to our hotel.
Day 2
Start the morning slowly. Hot water, lemon, teas, juices, coffee, yogurts, fruits, breads and cheeses will be available as well as full breakfast option. Mid-morning, you set off skiing to shake out your legs and make sure all of your equipment is working and ready for the route.
In the late afternoon, take a soothing sauna and shower before dinner at one of our favorite spots in Chamonix.
Day 3
You start with some steep ski runs on the Grands Montets. Your guide will want to check that you all have the right ski level before you set off and make sure that there are again no issues with any of your equipment. After lunch you will ski down the Rognon glacier and across the Argentiere glacier to the Argentiere Refuge (2771 m). You will spend your first night there. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Argentiere Basin.
Descent 800-900 m • Ascent 200-300 m • Time 4-5 h
Day 4
The day will start with a short descent from the hut down to the glacier where you will put on your skins and climb up to the Col du Passon (3028 m). From the col it’s a short descent before putting the skins back on for a short climb to the Col du Tour (3282m). Then the route takes you across the magnificent Trient plateau and up to the Trient hut where you will spend the night.
Descent 300 m • Ascent 1100 m • Time 6-8 h
Day 5
Today is a gentle day to recover from the last. A short glacier ski through wild glaciers takes us to the most technical climbing section of the route, Col des Ecandies. A 200m boot pack sets up for a 1600m cruiser down the Val de Ferret to the Swiss town Champex. A one-hour taxi takes you to Verbier, where you spend the night in the Cabane du Trient.
Descent 1800 m • Ascent 200 m • Time 4 h
Day 6
After a hearty breakfast in Verbier, you catch the first lifts to the top of Mont Gele. A quick skin up the piste and over the Col de la Chaux (2940 m) is followed by another descent. Then hike up to the Col de Momin (3015 m) and to the highest summit of the trip, the Rosablanche (3336m). From the summit you have a great ski down the glacier de Prafleuri to the Prafleuri hut (2624m) where you spend the night.
Descent 1200 m • Ascent 1550 m • Time 6 h
Day 7
This day starts with a steep climb over the Col des Roux (2804 m) before starting the long traverse above the Lac Dix and steady climb to the Pas du Chat and Refuge des Dix (2928m). Here you will leave some of your equipment before setting out for either the Col de Chelion (3237m) or to the summit of La Luette (3548m) for some extra descent before dinner. This extra is optional!
Descent 450 m • Ascent 800 m • Time 5 h
Day 8
From the hut you cross the Glacier de Cheilon to climb the Glacier de Tsena Refien towards the Col de la Serpentine and on to the Col du Brenay. It is then an easy climb to the summit of the Pigne d’Arolla (3772m). Now you have a great descent to the Col des Vignettes and the spectacularly situated hut (3160m) of the same name.
Ascent 850 m • Time 6 h
Day 9
The day starts with a quick descent to the Col de Charmottane (3037 m) followed by hike up to the Col de l'Evêque (3382 m). A beautiful, long descent of the Arolla glacier to the Plans de Bertol is followed by long but absolutely spectacular hike up to the Bertol hut (3311 m) where you will spend the last night in a hut.
Descent 750 m • Ascent 1100 m • Time 7-8 h
DAY 10
Fun day! A hike up to the second highest point of the trip, the Tete Blanche (3707 m) is followed by a brilliant, long and relatively complex descent of the Stockji and Zmutt glaciers. You will be making your way through crevasses and around rocks as you go. The views of the Matterhorn are always changing and always spectacular.
Eventually you will reach the edge of Zermatt’s huge piste area and stop for a well-earned beer at a piste side bar before continuing to Zermatt. The sting in the tail. This big day will certainly have you feeling you deserve that celebratory beer and fondue. Passing over 3 cols, 7 glaciers, 3200 of descending and 29 km of epic alpine goodness.
Spend the night in Zermatt at one of our favorite stays.
Descent 2100 m • Ascent 500 m • Time 6 h
Day 11
Enjoy the last morning sleeping, spa-ing or skiing. Pack up for a midday departure. Say your goodbyes to this incredible journey and head home. You are met by your driver and transferred three hours to the Geneva airport (GVA).
NOTE: Hotel pick-up is for departure day only. Should you plan to stay later and at another hotel, you are responsible for your own transfer arrangements to your hotel.
Accommodations
The high alpine huts are one of the big attractions to mountaineering or trekking in the Alps. They allow one to enjoy the mountains with only light packs and without having to worry about meals or finding somewhere to sleep. Most huts have only very basic facilities. Sleeping arrangements are in mixed sex dormitory-style rooms with bunks; there can be up to 20 people in one room. Washing facilities are limited and generally there is no running water in any of the huts although this may vary in some huts. There are basins in which you can use bottled water to wash the best you can and clean your teeth, but they are NOT generally in private cubicles and are mixed sex. Toilets are generally septic-tank type (so non-flushing) and again mixed sex. You need to be prepared for simple living in the huts and appreciate they are located at high altitude and in inhospitable terrain. A 3-course evening meal and breakfast are served by the guardian and his team and food is usually nourishing and filling. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks are also available. All food and drink in the huts is delivered by helicopter and consequently prices will be high e.g. between 5 – 10 € or 10CHF for a 1.5litre bottle of still water. There are a few basic hut ‘rules’ that you need to follow so that you (and your fellow climbers) have a pleasant stay:
On arriving at the hut you must take off your boots and leave these together with your ice-axe, crampons in the foyer. Be sure to store these carefully as the hut is likely to get very busy and you’ll need to find all your kit in the morning rush!
House slippers are provided and must be worn in the hut.
Your guide will register you with the guardian and will assign you your bunk.
Follow the instructions of your guide and keep requests to the guardian and his team to a minimum – they are usually very busy sorting out groups, cooking meals, keeping the hut clean.
In the morning your guide will often want to leave early – be sure to have all your kit ready to go the night before. Be organized and everything will be much easier!
It is recommended to bring ear-plugs for the nights – but make sure that you will get up on time.
Accommodation in Chamonix and accommodation in Zermatt are at our favorite well-appointed luxurious alpine chalets. ROOV doesn’t like to have you pay for additions or rush you upon arrival when you’re jet-lagged and trying to find your bearings. This trip is about camaraderie and having a few days on the front and backside is best.
Food
If you have any food allergies or dietary requirements especially if you are a Coeliac (gluten free) or have a dairy allergy we strongly recommend you bring some food to supplement your hut dinners. The huts are fairly good at providing for vegetarians but less so for other dietary needs. You need to carry some snacks for each day. You will generally stop for short breaks each hour where you should eat something to maintain your energy levels throughout the day. Bring with you or buy in Chamonix food that will nourish you; things like bars, dried fruit and nuts, chocolate, sugary sweets or your favorite snacks. Huts do sell snacks but they are expensive and sometimes stocks run low. The huts can also provide a small basic packed lunch of bread, salami, cheese and chocolate but it’s important that you don’t rely on this option only.
Food in Chamonix and food in Zermatt are to prepare for and celebrate a journey. Family-style dining and local cuisine are on offer; meals are a time to gather, share and connect. Health is encouraged and so is balance. Should you feel the need to imbibe, you can enjoy a well-deserved beer or relaxing glass of French wine (on your own account) as you watch the sun set over some of the most spectacular mountains in the world.
Pricing
Please read below carefully and make your rooming selection on the booking page.
All prices are in euros. Full proceeds benefit Alpine Initiatives.
OPTION 1 - SHARED ROOM PRICE
SHARED ROOMS AVAILABLE APRIL 6-16, 2025
The fee for this trip is €5145 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: €1000
Final Payment due January 6, 2025: €4145
Room Notes: Shared rooms have separate beds. You will share a room with one other guest for the duration of the trip in the huts as well as in the accommodations in Chamonix and Zermatt. You will share a bathroom for the entirety of the trip.
OPTION 2 - PART-TIME PRIVATE ROOM PRICE
1 PRIVATE ROOM OPEN APRIL 6-16, 2025
The fee for this trip is €5870 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: €1000
Final Payment due January 6, 2025: €4870
Room Notes: You will have a private room in the accommodations in Chamonix and Zermatt; the private rooms will have an en-suite bathroom. You will share accommodation in the huts.
*First come, first serve room allocations
What's Included
Inclusions
RT airport transfers
8 days of guided skiing with a UIAGM/IFMGA guide
10 nights accommodation
Half Board - 10 dinners, 10 breakfasts
Group safety equipment
Office-based support
Professional production and program
A ROOV gift
Exclusions
Flights
Lunches, picnics, snacks and drinks
Alcoholic and premium beverages
Personal equipment
Laundry
All items of personal nature
Any outside activities and transfers non included in the itinerary
Lift tickets
Travel insurance and personal insurance
All statutory increases beyond our control
Gratuities
Preparations
BUILD A BASE
With multiple 5 hour, 1000 meter vertical gain days, you need to build a strong ski touring base. Ideally those who have easy access to snow should be ski touring 2-3 days a week leading up to the Route. For those who don’t readily have access to tour, hiking will work. And for those who find themselves far removed from nature, a steeply inclined treadmill or a stairmaster will suffice. Wearing packs and getting used to carrying weight is recommended. There is no need to build up sprint capabilities, rather you are training for endurance and consistency is key. Make sure you are moving your body every single day. Focus on building strength in your legs and core and triceps. Incorporate yoga to stretch the body and mind.
EFFICIENCY IS KEY
Working on frictionless skinning and mastering skills like kick turns or even taking off and on your skins, putting on crampons, etc. greatly improves your success on the Route. Know your gear and how to go from walk to ski mode in a quick switch. Training to be efficient is as important as training to be fit; using your energy wisely will carry you through to the end.
DOWNHILL SKI WITH A HEAVY PACK
A seemingly surprise challenge on a hut tour is making steep or sketchy descents with weight on your back. Learn to balance the weight in your pack with the heavier items at the bottom and equal weight side-to-side. Keep your straps snug to the body to disallow swings and pulls. Use the pack as an advantage by lowering your center of gravity.
HAPPY FEET
Train your feet to be at home in your ski boots. Get acclimated to wearing your ski or stiff boots 8 hours a day. If customization, duct tape, moleskin, or pads are to be used, dial them in.
SORT YOUR TEMPERATURE
In your touring gear: figure out the best layering, find your zips and know how to warm yourself up quickly. Make sure your gear just touches the perspiration point, never allowing yourself to be wet and get into temperature swings.
DON’T SKI LIKE A NORTH AMERICAN
You need to train in non-ideal snow. Go off-piste, in crusty stuff you’ve only seen in Sweden. If you are a powder-princess, try to find some ice bumps, death sludge and slabs. High-alpine skiing in shit snow, can crush your confidence in one rodeo to front-side flip to face. Put your skis together, get your hands out front and let Jesus take the wheel. The only way to get better at skiing on bad snow…is to ski on bad snow.
MIND OVER MATTER
Training begins with not only the physical endurance aspect, but really the mental. Learning that the best physically in shape skier isn’t the best prepared in many cases because their mental training isn’t in the right place. Put your mind right, be curious, have fun with it and remember that the journey is the destination. Create mantras or motivations to keep going in physical pursuits. Whether it’s singing, counting, listening to music, talking, swimming in infinite silence, find a meditative state where you aren’t concerned whether your body can do it, it is doing it.
Equipment List
Personal Equipment List
Warm hat
Sun hat
Thermal underwear
Fleece layers
Wind and waterproof jacket
Wind and waterproof trousers
Thick gloves
Thin gloves
Spare pair of ski socks
Spare base thermal layer
Ski touring boots*
Touring skis: lightweight skis – maximum 95mm under foot, fitted with low tech bindings
Ski skins (with proper sticking glue)
Couteaux (ski crampons)
Ski poles*
Harness*
Crampons*
Ice axe (light)*
1 screw gate carabiner
1 60-120 cm tape sling
Headlamp (with fresh batteries and spare bulb)
Sunglasses
Goggles
About 35L rucksack with straps for carrying skis
Sleeping bag liner
Water bottle or hydration system
Sunblock
Tooth brush + tooth paste
Avalanche transceiver
Shovel and probe
Duct tape
*These items can be rented in Chamonix
Airfare to Geneva airport (GVA) is not included; arrival and departure day transfers are included
Group size: Minimum 12 guests and maximum 18 guests
A €1000 deposit is required to confirm your reservation
The remaining is due 90 days before the start date
Terms and conditions are detailed upon booking
Email info@roovproductions.com with any questions
ROOV does not offer refunds for the deposit for any reason. If you should need to cancel prior to the January 6, 2025 deadline, you will not be responsible for the remainder of your payment. Travel insurance is recommended and facilitated. Should you need to cancel on or after January 6, 2025, the remainder of your payment must be paid in full. ROOV is not responsible for your expenses in preparation for any cancelled Experience, such as airline tickets, loss of work, and/ or other cost associated with preparing for your trip.
