<!--paging_filter-->Bookended by Europe’s most iconic peaks—France’s Mont Blanc to the west and Switzerland’s Matterhorn to the east—the Haute Route is alpine ski touring’s most legendary hut-to-hut interconnect. The route has several variations, many starting with a descent of the Vallée Blanche. Most tours—including the popular Verbier variation—require high levels of endurance and advanced downhill skiing ability. Although previous ski-touring experience (uphill skinning) is recommended, it doesn’t need to be extensive; there is more downhill skiing than uphill travel on the seven- to 13-day 75-mile trek. Some itineraries build basic ice-ax and crevasse-rescue training into the first couple days. At night, you’ll enjoy hearty meals, cocktails aplenty and deep sleep in the high alpine. American guides Kathy Cosley and Mark Houston, who live in the Chamonix Valley, offer ski tours throughout the Alps—including the Haute Route—in April and May. $2,800–$3,450; cosleyhouston.com.