Trip of the week: a tough new ski route in the high Alps
The Haute Route du Saint-Bernard is a six-day loop starting in Italy’s Val d’Aosta
 
“Crossing crevasse-strewn glaciers, navigating tricky descents and scaling treacherous passes”, the “Haute Route” from Chamonix to Zermatt is “one of the toughest challenges in ski mountaineering”.
Since it was pioneered in January 1903, several variants have sprung up (the Purist Haute Route, the Reverse Haute Route, and so on), but this winter sees the launch of the first genuinely new version in half a century, says Tristan Kennedy in The Daily Telegraph.
Created by the bureaux des guides in three regions, the Haute Route du Saint-Bernard is a six-day loop combining parts of the classic Haute Route with lesser-known ascents. It offers a new – and yet tougher – challenge for those familiar with the original, and it also avoids some of the most crowded mountain refuges.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
 
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Haute Route was pioneered by a local doctor, Michel Payot, who in 1896 had acquired one of the first pairs of skis ever seen in the Chamonix Valley, and used them to reach housebound patients. For him and the five friends who accompanied him, the Route was a “wonderful winter adventure”.
Following in their tracks, with the advantage of modern equipment, which is far lighter, you’ll wonder at their achievement. With between 1,200 and 1,750 vertical metres of climbing per day, and one morning on which you need to use crampons and ice axes, it’s not something to attempt without good fitness and an experienced guide.
The Saint-Bernard variant starts in Italy’s Val d’Aosta, and crosses into Switzerland via the Col du Grand St Bernard, where you can stay at the famous monastery. The “soft chanting” of your hosts in their ancient chapel is beautiful, and there are other pleasant refuges en route – but the biggest reward of the route is the views it affords, ones that “only mountaineers would normally see”.
Contact Les Guides de Verbier for more information
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
- 
 Testosterone therapy in women highlights the lack of women’s health research Testosterone therapy in women highlights the lack of women’s health researchThe explainer There is no FDA-approved testosterone product for women 
- 
 Magazine solutions - November 7, 2025 Magazine solutions - November 7, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 7, 2025 
- 
 Magazine printables - November 7, 2025 Magazine printables - November 7, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 7, 2025 
- 
 6 trailside homes for hikers 6 trailside homes for hikersFeature Featuring a roof deck with skyline views in California and a home with access to private trails in Montana 
- 
 Lazarus: Harlan Coben’s ‘embarrassingly compelling’ thriller Lazarus: Harlan Coben’s ‘embarrassingly compelling’ thrillerThe Week Recommends Bill Nighy and Sam Claflin play father-and-son psychiatrists in this ‘precision-engineered’ crime drama 
- 
 The Rose Field: a ‘nail-biting’ end to The Book of Dust series The Rose Field: a ‘nail-biting’ end to The Book of Dust seriesThe Week Recommends Philip Pullman’s superb new novel brings the trilogy to a ‘fitting’ conclusion 
- 
 Nigerian Modernism: an ‘entrancing, enlightening exhibition’ Nigerian Modernism: an ‘entrancing, enlightening exhibition’The Week Recommends Tate Modern’s ‘revelatory’ show includes 250 works examining Nigerian art pre- and post independence 
- 
 The Mastermind: Josh O’Connor stars in unconventional art heist movie The Mastermind: Josh O’Connor stars in unconventional art heist movieThe Week Recommends Kelly Reichardt cements her status as the ‘queen of slow cinema’ with her latest film 
- 
 Critics’ choice: Watering holes for gourmands Critics’ choice: Watering holes for gourmandsFeature An endless selection of Mexican spirits, a Dublin-inspired bar, and an upscale Baltimore pub 
- 
 Film reviews: Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Frankenstein, and Blue Moon Film reviews: Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Frankenstein, and Blue MoonFeature A rock star on the rise turns inward, a stressed mother begins to unravel, and more 
- 
 Beth Macy’s 6 favorite books about living in a divided nation Beth Macy’s 6 favorite books about living in a divided nationFeature The journalist recommends works by Nicholas Buccola, Matthew Desmond, and more