Heli-skiing in one of the most majestic corners of the Alps – Courmayeur, Italy, at the foot of Mont Blanc!
It’s 8:30 in the morning, and the sun has yet to reach the mountain village hidden among the peaks or the line of skiers already forming at the lifts. Meanwhile, you’re stepping into a helicopter that, within minutes, takes you 2,500 vertical meters higher. At the summit, the pilot gently sets the machine down, the guide opens the door, and gives the signal to get out.
It’s loud. Snow swirls everywhere in the rotor wash. You’re gripping your skis tightly so they don’t take off on their own, while the helicopter lifts away and dives back down the valley, leaving you and your buddies standing at 3,800 meters above sea level. Then comes the silence. Followed by euphoria, shouts, and high-fives. You click into your skis and drop into a pristine line with Mont Blanc towering on the horizon.
That’s what a morning looks like on a heli-ski trip in Courmayeur 😉 The program includes three days of heli-skiing and two days of off-piste skiing from the surrounding lifts. Throughout the entire trip (five days on snow), we’ll be guided by local IVBV/IFMGA-certified mountain guides.
We’ll stay in a stylish hotel right next to the gondola station in Courmayeur, where after a full day of riding we’ll warm up in the sauna and enjoy Italian specialties for dinner.
Here’s our proven recipe for a quick and highly productive winter escape: 3 days of heli-skiing + 2 days of off-piste + a healthy dose of Italian dolce vita!
Heli-ski
Courmayeur / Mont Blanc
5 days with an IVBV/IFMGA guide
3* hotel, HB
Price Includes:
- 6 nights accommodation at the Pilier d’Angle*** Hotel with meals included, twin rooms
- Half board: breakfasts and dinners
- 3 days of heli-skiing (7,000 vertical meters in total) in the two best areas: Courmayeur and Valgrisenche
- 2 days of lift-accessed freeride and/or backcountry skiing with an IVBV/IFMGA guide
- Supervision by a Polish team leader
- Rental of an avalanche airbag backpack and avalanche safety equipment (beacon, probe, and shovel) – reservation required
- Standard travel insurance including medical expenses, accident coverage, and personal liability. Additional insurance covering off-piste skiing is required. Many of our clients already have year-round high-altitude policies. If you don’t have one, we can provide coverage for the trip at a cost of 230 PLN.
Price Does Not Include:
- Flights/transport
- Optional airport transfers (upon request)
- Lunches
- Extra heli-ski drops beyond the included program (additional vertical meters can be purchased on-site)
- Ski passes
- Ski or snowboard equipment – you need to bring your own
- Extreme sports insurance, including off-piste skiing
- Tips
- Anything not mentioned in the program
ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORTATION
- We will stay in Courmayeur, right next to the Mont Blanc gondola station, at the Pilier d’Angle*** Hotel, in twin rooms
- You can get there by:
- Car – about a 15–16 hours of driving
- Flight to Turin, Milan, or Geneva, followed by a 2–3 hour drive. We can help arrange airport transfers upon request or we can rent a car together at the airport – which is a more economical option.
- For more information, check the TRIP PROGRAM tab
OFF PISTE – Terrain Details:
- Heli-Skiing:
- The package includes three days of heli-skiing, with up to 7,000 vertical meters in total
- A typical run offers between 800 and 1,500 vertical meters, while the longest descent reaches an impressive 2,000 vertical meters
- The heli-ski area is vast and provides access to glacier terrain
- We will primarily operate around Courmayeur and will also spend one day riding in another outstanding location – Valgrisenche
- All runs are guided by IVBV/IFMGA-certified guides
- Difficulty level will be matched to the group’s ability, and we strive to form fairly homogenous groups
- It is possible to purchase additional flights (extra vertical meters)
- If conditions are unfavorable, we will try to reschedule flying days. If rescheduling isn’t possible, the helicopter operator offers partial refunds or a voucher valid for 3 years (your choice) – contact us for more details.
- Off-Piste in the Resort:
- The area offers a number of excellent lift-accessed freeride options, including Punta Helbronner (with the possibility of skiing down to Chamonix), Val Veny, and Cresta Youla / Cresta d’Arp
- One of the most iconic options is the legendary Vallée Blanche descent to Chamonix, followed by a bus ride back – an option for advanced skiers and riders
- During the two off-piste days, we will also be guided by IVBV/IFMGA-certified mountain guides
- Most of the terrain we will ride is classic alpine terrain, with very few trees except at the lowest elevations
- Bringing touring equipment may be worth considering
Difficulty Level: 6/10
- The difficulty of the runs will be adapted to the participants’ skill level, and with 7 or more participants, we will split into smaller subgroups. Heli-skiing is definitely not suitable for beginners. A solid skiing ability is required, including confident skiing in all conditions on black runs or off-piste on slopes with a 35-degree incline.
Trip Profile
- This trip is all about the descents! ;D
SAFETY
- Off Piste’s golden rule – we only hire local guides who know the terrain inside out
- During our entire stay in the mountains, we will be under the care of IVBV/IFMGA guides
- One guide is assigned to every four participants
- The trip will be overseen by a Polish team leader
- INSURANCE:
- The trip price includes basic travel insurance. Additional coverage for off-piste skiing is required. This can be purchased from us for 230 PLN per person. We do not include this in the base price as many of our clients have their own year-round high-altitude policies.
- There is also an option to purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance, which provides a refund in case you are unable to join us due to illness or other unforeseen events.
- Participants should have completed an avalanche safety course
- The price includes rental of an avalanche airbag backpack and avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, probe) – reservation required.
HOW TO JOIN THE TRIP
- Fill out the reservation form
- We will contact you to sign the contract
- Pay a 35% deposit
- We’ll complete the group, handle the formalities, flights, details, etc.
- Pay the remaining amount 60 days before departure
CANCELLATION POLICY
- We recommend additional insurance in case of illness or an unforeseen event preventing you from traveling. You will then receive a full refund for the trip. Ask us about Trip Cancellation Insurance.
- We reserve the right to change the program due to circumstances beyond our control, such as insufficient participants, snow or weather conditions, or political situations. In case we need to cancel the trip (even for reasons beyond our control), we will promptly refund all payments made.
Day 1 (March 12)
We meet in the evening for dinner at the Pilier d’Angle*** Hotel in Courmayeur, Italy.
Day 2
Time for a warm-up off-piste day using the local ski lifts, of which there are plenty in the area. Our local IVBV guide will show us their secret spots. Dinner will be served at our hotel each day.
Days 3-5
The main event: heli-skiing! We’ll start each day with a morning safety briefing with the guides and then head to the heli landing zone. We’ll ski around 2,300 vertical meters per day, although on good weather days there is always a chance to do more. Additional flights can be purchased on-site for those who wish. We operate in the Courmayeur and Valgrisenche areas. The remaining time can also be spent skiing in the resort.
Day 6
Another off-piste day using the lifts. If the group is strong enough, we may even ski all the way to Chamonix 😉
Day 7
After breakfast, we head back home.
