Any recommendation on a competent and safe but economical guide for the (Chamonix - Zermatt) Haute Route? I'm organizing a group (about 5) for mid-April and the ladies insist on us having a guide. I know a number of US outfits that offer the trip, but thought a local guide would be cheaper and more knowledgeable. They would, however, have to be Anglophone. Also, any recommendations on which variant to take? I'm leaning towards the Valsorey (though Grande Lui looks like a lot of fun too!).

Thanks!

Hi,
You will find a zillion choices. Last year I had good luck with chamonix-guides.com. This is a cooperative of individual guides and their prices are reasonable. I know that Mathieu Berlioz speaks English well, or you can request that they assign you another English speaker.
You are right about US firms offering similar trips for much more money. Check out Alpine Ascents.
Cheers