A Dream Come True: Ski Touring the Haute Route for Our 40th Birthday

 For years, Vincent, Thibault, and I had dreamed about this adventure. Our annual tradition of ski de randonnée tours in the Alps had always been special, but for our common 40th birthday, we wanted to do something extraordinary. After some negotiations with our respective “headquarters” and careful synchronization, we managed to carve out a five-day window just for ourselves and our favorite guide, Christian, who has been with us for over a decade. Our destination: the mythical Haute Route, also known as the Chamonix-Zermatt traverse.


We were incredibly fortunate with the conditions. After two weeks of snow, the sun finally made an appearance just in time for our first day of ski touring. We set off straight up to Refuge Bertol, a perfect warm-up for the days ahead. The route was blanketed with fresh powder, and the impressive arrival at the refuge, perched high atop the mountain, set the tone for our adventure.


The second day was undoubtedly the most iconic. We climbed up to 3700 meters before embarking on a long descent to Zermatt, gliding over glaciers with the majestic Matterhorn towering to our right. After a restful night in Zermatt, we tackled the ascent of the famous Castor at 4300 meters on the third day, followed by an exhilarating, endless ride back down to Zermatt.


On the fourth day, we crossed the mountain range, reaching a summit at 3900 meters. Each step and glide brought new challenges and breathtaking vistas. Our final day was a bit quieter, spent in the beautiful valley of Arolla. We soaked up the sun and relished the last 1000 meters of elevation gain.


These five days felt like a blessing. To share such an epic adventure with Vincent and Thibault, celebrating our milestone birthday, was beyond special. The camaraderie, the stunning landscapes, and the sense of accomplishment made this ski tour unforgettable. We all felt incredibly grateful for the time we took to make this dream a reality.


























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