What is it?
At its basest definition, heliskiing is any skiing that occurs with the assistance of a helicopter. In almost all cases, this means the skier being flown to a high landing zone on the mountainside, and then skiing down.
What’s so good about it?
Avoid the chairlifts by taking a short flight to the top of the mountain, accompanied by stunning panoramic views. This is a means to an end though, and that end is the powder. Unbroken powder, slopes so empty they make the mountain seem like your personal playground, and significantly longer runs than in the resorts. Heliskiing is unarguably a spectacular way to experience truly authentic skiing.
Why have some countries banned it?
It’s dangerous, for one. The risk of avalanches and tree wells are much higher than on the resort pistes, which are groomed and maintained. It also has a significant environmental impact, using large amounts of fuel and creating large amounts of noise.
So where can I heliski now?
Switzerland and Italy. France and Germany don’t allow it all, and though Austria doesn’t have an outright ban, it does limit the landing spots to just two for the entire country. In contrast, Switzerland has 42 landing sights and is estimated to have about 15,000 heliskiing flights a year.
This being said, you can still heliski from some resorts in France with a drop-off spot in Italy or Switzerland : you can book your next heliski flight in Sainte Foy Tarentaise (with a drop-off on the Glacier du Ruitor, close to La Thuile in Italy), in La Rosière, Chamonix and Val d’Isère.
How much does it cost?
It’s not cheap, you’re looking at least a hundred euros for a single drops. For a cheaper alternative, snowcat skiing will do the same job albeit slower; it also cuts down on your environmental impact.
