Who hasn't dreamed of skiing in a field of powder amidst majestic scenery? Combining luxury and high altitude, the heli-skiing experience takes you through some of Switzerland's most beautiful panoramas. The helicopter drops you off at summit , then you ski down to the Alpine valleys. Here are six must-see heliskiing destinations in the Swiss Alps.
1 - Heli-skiing from the Petit Combin: a jewel in the heights of Verbier
Sovereign of the kingdom of rock and ice, the Petit Combin dominates the 4 Vallées. I invite you to ski the snowy slopes of this summit of the Pennine Alps. Situated on the border between the Val de Bagnes and the Grand Saint-Bernard valley, the mountain is the emblem of heliskiing at Verbier. Looking south from summit, Grand Combin rises up in front of us. At 4314 metres, it is one of the highest mountains in French-speaking Switzerland. Far from the crowds of the 4 Vallées ski area, the helicopter takes you to a virtually deserted spot. At summit du Petit Combin, silence reigns. A 360-degree panorama unfolds. From Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, from bernese alps to the Vaudoises, the most beautiful mountains stretch to the horizon.
From the drop-off point, various off-piste itineraries are available, depending on your level. The classic descents are generally not too difficult. They lead to the village of Fionnay via the Corbassière glacier, or to the village of Bourg-Saint-Pierre via the Boveire glacier. Another variant takes you to the Follats glacier. This descent has been gaining in popularity in recent years and is mainly used when there is a lot of snow. For the more experienced, the north face includes a variant dotted with technical passages. Good freeriders will discover exquisite slopes in a landscape of supreme beauty. But if, in addition to the descent, you want to enjoy the pleasures of hiking, the itineraries via the Col des Otanes or the Col de l'Ane will take you, in sealskin, into the midst of wild, untamed nature. Before embarking on this thrilling adventure, find out about the conditions in the high mountains, then book your day with a mountain guide or a company specializing in heli-skiing.
As I share with you some of the heliskiing itineraries available from the Petit Combin, I'm reminded of a special day. A moment when I captured this prince of the Alps in photographs. The furious winds had enveloped the Petit Combin in a blanket of snow. Primitive and flamboyant, the mountain unfurled its invincible crests. And there I was, alone, facing the Petit Combin, more majestic than ever. That day, I immortalized the soul of summit for you. During your ski descent from this mythical mountain, I invite you to imagine the Petit Combin after a storm, like a hidden diamond shining above Verbier.
2 - Ski descent from Pigne d'Arolla
In the Swiss Alps, some peaks seem to touch the firmament. The Pigne d'Arolla is one of them. In Val d'Hérens dialect, its name means "the comb". Its fluted slopes are reminiscent of the combs peasant women used to fix in their hair. Culminating at 3781 meters above sea level, it is the highest heli-ski drop-off point in the Verbier region. The Pigne d'Arolla is distinguished by its slopes, all converging on theArolla heliport. At every turn, the air splits and the thrill of speed is felt.
Have you ever heard of the north face of the Pigne d'Arolla ? This 50-degree slope is the stuff of dreams for extreme skiers. The first ski descent was made here in 1974 by guide André Anzévui. Then, in 1998, Gilbert Crettaz made the first snowboard descent.
From the Pigne d'Arolla, I invite you to contemplate. To the north, summit overlooks the Val d'Hérens and the village ofArolla. From the southern slopes, we look out over the Brenay glacier towards the Val de Bagnes. To the north, the slopes plunge towards the Cabane des Dix and the Grande Dixence dam. Up here, Mont Blanc de Cheilon, Mont Collon and Vuibé rise in majesty.
This is the classic descent of the Pigne d'Arolla. From summit, the slopes lead down to the Pièce glacier. Heading towards theArolla ski area, you cross the col and the Vignettes hut. An essential stopover on the Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt, the hut is surrounded by some of the finest summits in the Val d'Hérens. Nestled between glaciers and peaks, the hut welcomes hikers and mountaineers looking for memorable moments. The descent ends with the resort's ski lifts.
To extend your heliskiing experience, the adventure can continue with a second drop-off at summit du Rosablanche. Its slopes lead directly to the 4 Valleys at Verbier. Between the Pigne d'Arolla and the Rosablanche, I invite you to experience the most beautiful journey in the Swiss Alps.
3 - Heli-skiing from the Rosablanche: a luxury experience in the heart of the Valais
From the heights of the Valais rises a mountain. A goddess to ski enthusiasts, the Rosablanche rises to 3336 metres above sea level. An emblematic figure of the Valais Alps, its echoes mingle with those of Mont-Fort and the Aiguilles rouges ofArolla. Accessible by helicopter or by ski touring from Mont-Fort, the Rosablanche seduces snow enthusiasts with its vast expanses of snow. It is crowned by four glaciers: Sovereu, Grand Désert, Prafleuri and the Mourti glacier. But the mountain's charm lies in the three ridges that converge at summit, forming a perfect triangulation. As they meet, these ridges reach for the sky, sculpting the purity and beauty of nature into the ether.
From Rosablanche, there are several downhill itineraries to choose from. Passing the Grand Désert glacier, a gentle north-facing slope takes you to Siviez. With a moderate technical level, this route takes you through the most beautiful mountains in the Valais, with landscapes that seem to come from another world. They are the light, the star at dusk. When snow conditions are optimal and if you have a good level of skiing, I recommend the descent through the Severeu valley to Fionnay, a magnificent outing alternating technical passages and gentle slopes. Finally, the descents through the vallon de Prafleuri, the glacier de Mourti and the Fenêtre d'Allèves lead to the village of Pralong in the Val des Dix. These last three itineraries end with skins.
Heli-skiing at La Rosablanche is an exceptional experience, and skiing from summit embodies life, love and the freedom of the heights.
4 - Ski down from Monte Rosa: among the most beautiful scenery in the Zermatt
Above Zermatt rises a sumptuous massif: Monte Rosa. Its name, which means "glacier" in Valle d'Aosta dialect, reveals its wonders from its highest point all the way down to the plains. From Dufourspitze, its highest point summit, it dominates the human world. The helicopter lifts off and drops you off at 4,200 metres, at the foot of Dufourspitze. It's the highest drop-off in Europe. On the border between Switzerland and Italy, a 360-degree panorama unfolds before you. More than 10 kilometers of glacier skiing await you, representing between 3 and 4 hours of descent.
The route to Zermatt winds between huge crevasses. I was lucky enough to make this mythical descent a few years ago. Contemplating the panoramas of Zermatt, skiing on the Grenzgletscher... The memories of that day will stay with me forever.
The ski descent from Monte Rosa is of moderate difficulty, comparable to that of the Vallée Blanche in the Mont Blanc massif. But far from the crowds, the 2350-metre vertical drop plunges you into a deserted natural environment. Silence reigns here, disturbed only by the echo of ice and falling rock. At an altitude of 2883 metres, you'll find an Alpine hut whose elegance honours the beauty of the Alps. The warm Mont Rose hut invites you to take a break inside. Then the ski descent continues. Dufourspitze, Lyskamm, Castor, Pollux... summits the most emblematic peaks of the Alps pass before your eyes until you reach the village of Zermatt.
5 - Heliskiing from the Wildhorn: treasure of the bernese alps
The Wildhorn stands majestically on the border between the cantons of Bern and Valais. The immaculate beauty of bernese alps, it rises 3250 metres above Crans-Montana. The mountain shines with its glistening glacier. From the Sanetsch Pass to the Rawil Pass, its glacial mass stretches over a width of 10 kilometers. The Wildhorn is indisputably elegant and gigantic. And when the helicopter drops you off at summit, a desert of white surrounds you. The slopes of the Wildhorn are an invitation to adventure, to discover nature in all its glory.
Depending on the itinerary chosen, between 1,500 and 2,000 metres of ascent await you on skis. In winter, your mountain guide will lead you down the route best suited to the conditions. You can descend to Lauenen via the Col du Brochet and the Gelten hut; to Lenk via the Chilchli; to Daillon via Grand Gouilles; or to Arbaz via the Selle. Itineraries may vary according to the guide's preferences. But each variant offers its own share of daring and complexity.
6 - Heli-skiing in the Trient massif: on the border between Switzerland and France
Can you hear the echo of a sumptuous glacier? On the borders of Switzerland and France, it hides its infinite beauty from the world. The helicopter takes you to the Trient glacier and the surrounding summits granite cliffs. The glacier stretches for two kilometers, between 3,000 and 3,200 meters. It forms the famous Trient plateau. To the west, the Aiguille du Tour emerges. To the south, aiguilles Dorées appears. To the east, the Pointe d'Orny. Just a stone's throw from the Chamonix valley, there are a number of itineraries to choose from. Here are the most classic descents. From the Val d'Arpette, you can reach the village of Champex via the Col des Ecandies. From Saleinaz, the tracks take you to Praz de Fort. Then, if you wish to cross the border, descend into the Chamonix valley via the Col du Tour. Last but not least, the descents to the Trient glacier and Orny are also among the great classics. Depending on the itinerary you choose, you can stop off at the Cabane de Trient, at an altitude of 3170 metres.
From the four corners of the Swiss Alps, the helicopter takes to the skies for an unforgettable experience. From Verbier to the Mont Rose massif, the heli-skiing experience transports you to the heart of a grandiose world Powerful . A unique journey into the kingdom of rock and ice.
