Cicerone Guide Book: Alpine Ski Mountaineering - Volume 1: Western Alps

The European Alps offer some of the finest and most accessible ski mountaineering in the world. A combination of magnificent and varied terrain, an enviable snow record, excellent public transport, unrivalled hut system and long ski season make them a focus for mountaineers and skiers throughout the world.

This first volume of the Ski Mountaineering series describes The 'Classic Haute Route', the traverse between Chamonix and Zermatt, and also brings together a selection of the finest high-level ski tours in the Western Alps in areas as diverse as the Ecrins, Vanoise, Haute Maurienne, Gran Paradiso, Mt Blanc, Valais and Urner Alps. Volume 2 covers the Central and Eastern Alps.
The routes described will provide a lifetimes ski mountaineering for the average ski mountaineer, with rewards and challenges for all levels of ability.

Seasons
Generally, February/March until May. Best times vary from route to route, and are indicated in the guide.

Centres
Chamonix, Champex, Zermatt, La Berade, Bonneval-sur-Arc, Aussois, Cogne (Val d’Aosta), Verbier.

Difficulty
Ski mountaineering is a potentially dangerous activity, and should only be undertaken by those with a full understanding of the risks and with the training and experience to evaluate them.

Must See
Idyllic conditions of perfect snow, few crevasses, a track in place, and perfect clear weather!