Ski the Haute Route

The Haute Route is without a doubt the world’s most famous ski tour.  It is an incredible journey through the heart of the glaciers and high peaks of the West Alps.  Skiing the high peaks and long glaciers of these mountains is high on the wish list of many accomplished ski-mountaineers.  Its long tradition goes back well into the 1800′s when the rugged Haute Route traverse was done for the first time from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland.

Your tour begins with a 9000 foot descent of the Vallée Blanche. For the next 7 days you will ski tour hut to hut weaving through countless glaciers, passing over spectacular cols, eventually ending up in the renowned Swiss village of Zermatt.  Along the Haute Route, there are wonderful skiing opportunities, breathtaking views, and relaxing evenings in the huts. Though there is some technical terrain, particularly on the first day at the Col du Chardonnet, and later on the ascent of the Sepentine, for the most part the route is reasonably straightforward and difficult days are interspersed with easier ones.

The Haute Route is a ski mountaineering tour of average difficulty, which should be easily managed by strong intermediate ski mountaineers.  You do have to be physically healthy and able to acclimatize to elevations of up to 13,000 feet (the highest hut we will sleep in will be at 12,000′).

• BETA
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• Dates: April 16-22, 2012
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• Cost: $2,895 (Not including lodging or airfare)
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• Ratio: 4 skiers to 1 guide

Ski Mountaineering in the Sawtooths

We're Skiing That? Sierra Magazine Article

• Winter in the Sawtooths is a quiet time. Snow blankets the Stanley area and accentuates the alpine look of the high peaks.  Winter in the Sawtooths is a quiet time. Snow blankets the Stanley area and accentuates the alpine look of the high peaks. It's a perfect time to get out and explore the mountains. The Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho receive a good amount of moisture and our snowpack is generally deep. Few people are venturing and exploring the Sawtooth, which helps keep it a true wilderness ski destination. Lots of powder and few people is a backcountry skiers dream.  
  
  
  The cozy Mongolian style yurts provide you with a mountain home while exploring tours and slopes right out the door. Handcrafted in the Sawtooths, these yurts are legendary since the establishing of this alpine hut location in 1986. Built by SMG founder, Kirk Bachman and his crew of backcountry friends.  Hut amenities include a large kitchen and round table to accommodate a dinner seating for ten. Wood heat and a propane cook stove make for a cheery homestyle setting. There are bunks for fourteen in the two yurts when its time to turn in for the night.  Soothe your body at the end of the day in the wood fire sauna and a roll in the snow at day's end.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

• BETA
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• Dates: April 26-30, 2012
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• Cost: $1,195 (Not including lodging or airfare)
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• Ratio: 4 skiers to 1 guide