Photo: www.tignes.co.uk
In France, heli-skiing has been prohibited since 1985, by French "Mountain Law": "Dans les zones de montagne, les déposes de passagers à des fins de loisirs, par aéronef sont interdites sauf sur les aérodromes dont la liste est fixée par l'autorité administrative » - in mountain areas, it is prohibited for aircraft to drop off passengers for recreational purposes except at listed aerodromes determined by the administrative authority. In Europe, heli-skiing is banned in Germany, permitted in Switzerland and Italy, and only 2 landing places in Vorarlberg in Austria are authorised and only during the week!
However, fans of heli-skiing and some tourism professionals quickly found the loophole in the law banning heli-skiing in France because it is indeed possible to bring skiers back from the mountain! In the resort of Alpe d'Huez, for example, mountain guides recommend skiers the off-piste route from the Sablat glacier from the Pic Blanc and then to return by helicopter to the resort! Another way round the issue, is that the border between France and Italy or Switzerland is right on the summit of the Alps , so it is very easy for a helicopter to come and drop off skiers on the Italian or Swiss side and the passengers take the off-piste descent back to their French resort! In the resort of La Rosière, for example, which shares a ski area with La Thuile in Italy, heli-skiing is proposed in their winter brochure. Tignes also has a good reputation for its impressive heli-skiing on the Italian slopes of the ski area.
Photo: www.tignesnet.com
Those for whom downhill skiing is a lifetime passion! All freeriders in the world and lovers of wide open spaces, freedom, independence and those looking for the possibility of testing their own limits. There is a price to pay of course, so this activity is not open to everyone. Those who do not worry about the price and who like to try unusual activities and get away from the crowds! The arguments for promoting heli-skiing in France are numerous including the fact that French ski resorts should be able to compete with other countries, near and far and that environmental impact is minimal when compared to those of road and air traffic in the Alps!
Photo: www.heliski.com
Associations for the protection of the environment, such as Mountain Wilderness, but also the French Alpine Club denounce "the incessant flight paths of helicopters, the unjustified extension of the ski areas which slowly eats away at the natural surroundings, the pollution affecting nature and the environment," at a time when fossil fuel savings are the order of the day." In Switzerland, too, the debate rages on. The trips to drop off skiers on the Monte Rosa, the highest Swiss mountain, are challenged by the Federal Commission for the Protection of nature and landscapes. According to the commission, "the fact that skiers are transported nearly 800 times in succession to the summit to enjoy the pleasures of heli-skiing is the beginning of a nightmare."
Leave a comment or join us on Facebook and tell us what you think about this controversial subject !
Photo: www.tignes.co.uk
In France, heli-skiing has been prohibited since 1985, by French "Mountain Law": "Dans les zones de montagne, les déposes de passagers à des fins de loisirs, par aéronef sont interdites sauf sur les aérodromes dont la liste est fixée par l'autorité administrative » - in mountain areas, it is prohibited for aircraft to drop off passengers for recreational purposes except at listed aerodromes determined by the administrative authority. In Europe, heli-skiing is banned in Germany, permitted in Switzerland and Italy, and only 2 landing places in Vorarlberg in Austria are authorised and only during the week!
However, fans of heli-skiing and some tourism professionals quickly found the loophole in the law banning heli-skiing in France because it is indeed possible to bring skiers back from the mountain! In the resort of Alpe d'Huez, for example, mountain guides recommend skiers the off-piste route from the Sablat glacier from the Pic Blanc and then to return by helicopter to the resort! Another way round the issue, is that the border between France and Italy or Switzerland is right on the summit of the Alps , so it is very easy for a helicopter to come and drop off skiers on the Italian or Swiss side and the passengers take the off-piste descent back to their French resort! In the resort of La Rosière, for example, which shares a ski area with La Thuile in Italy, heli-skiing is proposed in their winter brochure. Tignes also has a good reputation for its impressive heli-skiing on the Italian slopes of the ski area.
Photo: www.tignesnet.com
Those for whom downhill skiing is a lifetime passion! All freeriders in the world and lovers of wide open spaces, freedom, independence and those looking for the possibility of testing their own limits. There is a price to pay of course, so this activity is not open to everyone. Those who do not worry about the price and who like to try unusual activities and get away from the crowds! The arguments for promoting heli-skiing in France are numerous including the fact that French ski resorts should be able to compete with other countries, near and far and that environmental impact is minimal when compared to those of road and air traffic in the Alps!
Photo: www.heliski.com
Associations for the protection of the environment, such as Mountain Wilderness, but also the French Alpine Club denounce "the incessant flight paths of helicopters, the unjustified extension of the ski areas which slowly eats away at the natural surroundings, the pollution affecting nature and the environment," at a time when fossil fuel savings are the order of the day." In Switzerland, too, the debate rages on. The trips to drop off skiers on the Monte Rosa, the highest Swiss mountain, are challenged by the Federal Commission for the Protection of nature and landscapes. According to the commission, "the fact that skiers are transported nearly 800 times in succession to the summit to enjoy the pleasures of heli-skiing is the beginning of a nightmare."
Leave a comment or join us on Facebook and tell us what you think about this controversial subject !
Being lucky enough to have parents who were crazy about skiing, my love for the mountains started when I was 4 years old on our first family ski holiday to Austrian ski resort of Obergurl. One ski holiday a year was never enough and tears rolled down my face as I looked out the back window of the car on the drive down the valley on the way home!
