Heliski, beyond the lifts.
Heliski days in Italy, arranged from Val d’Isère and Tignes, or a reverse heliski with a helicopter return from Bonneval-sur-Arc.
REQUEST YOUR QUOTEHelicopter drops for skiing aren't permitted in France, so our heliski days are arranged with certified partners just across the border in Italy, priced according to the drop point and summit chosen for the day. You don't need to be an expert: for many of the drop points we use, a solid, comfortable level in variable snow is enough.
In France, we offer reverse heliski: a short climb on skins, a long descent to Bonneval-sur-Arc, then a helicopter pick-up that flies you back to Val d'Isère — a heli-taxi rather than a heli-drop.
Heliski in Italy
Heliski is about more than fresh snow — it’s the scale and remoteness a helicopter makes possible: glaciers and summits far beyond where a lift, or even a full day on skins, could take you, with sweeping views across the Mont Blanc massif and the wider Aosta Valley.
We can arrange a helicopter taxi from Val d’Isère to the Petit-Saint-Bernard pass, on the Franco-Italian border. From there, a second helicopter takes the group to the drop points.
A helicopter takes a maximum of four clients, with their guide.
Most days are based out of La Thuile, in Italy’s Aosta Valley, with drops on the Ruitor and Fréduaz glaciers or near Mont Miravidi and Mont Ouille, depending on conditions.
Courmayeur, Valgrisenche and Sestriere are further away. They need a helicopter taxi transfer before the drops, which means a larger budget.
Each heliski day is planned individually. Your guide takes into account snow conditions, the group’s level and the number of drops you would like, and we send you a quote accordingly. There is no flat rate for a heliski day.
Reverse heliski from Val d’Isère
Over the pass
The day starts with a climb on skins, up to the pass.
The descent
From the pass, a long descent takes you down towards Bonneval-sur-Arc, on a route chosen on the day according to conditions.
Lunch in L’Écot
On the way down, the group usually stops for lunch in L’Écot, a small hamlet of stone houses that can only be reached on foot or on skis in winter.
Down to Bonneval
After lunch, you ski on to Bonneval-sur-Arc and ride the lifts up to the pick-up point, where the helicopter takes you back to Val d’Isère.
The flight back
The flight back is part of the day. The helicopter crosses the Vanoise National Park, where motorised aircraft may not fly below 1,000 metres above the ground in the core area. It therefore gains height in a wide loop around the Albaron before crossing the park and descending towards Val d’Isère, with wide views across the Alps.
The exact route depends on conditions on the day.
Level, group size and lift pass
Level
For the reverse heliski, you need to be a good skier. You do not need to be an expert.
Group size
A helicopter takes a maximum of four clients, with their guide.
Bonneval lift pass
The lift pass for the Bonneval lifts is not included. It is paid by the client.
Conditions and decisions
Heliski takes place in the mountains, in terrain that is not patrolled or secured. Snow, weather and visibility decide the route, the drops and the flights, and the plan can change on the day.
Your guide assesses the conditions with you throughout the day.
Questions before you begin
Where can you go heliskiing from Val d’Isère?
Heliski days are arranged in Italy, mostly in the La Thuile area (the Ruitor and Fréduaz glaciers, Mont Miravidi, Mont Ouille). Courmayeur, Valgrisenche and Sestriere are also possible, but they are further away and need a helicopter taxi transfer before the drops. In France, we offer a reverse heliski from Bonneval-sur-Arc.
Is heliskiing possible in France?
Helicopter drops for skiing aren’t permitted in France. What we offer in France is a reverse heliski: you reach the descent on skis, ski down to Bonneval-sur-Arc, and the helicopter is used only for the return flight to Val d’Isère.
How much does a heliski day cost?
There is no flat rate. The price depends on the drop point and summit chosen, the number of drops, and whether a helicopter taxi transfer is needed, as it is for Courmayeur, Valgrisenche and Sestriere. We send you a quote on request. For the reverse heliski, the lift pass for the Bonneval lifts is not included and is paid by the client.
What level do you need for heliskiing?
For many of the drop points we use in Italy, a solid, comfortable level in variable snow is enough. For the reverse heliski, you need to be a good skier, but you do not need to be an expert.
What is a reverse heliski?
The helicopter is used only for the return. You climb on skins, cross the pass, ski down to Bonneval-sur-Arc, and the helicopter flies you back to Val d’Isère. There is no helicopter drop in France.
How many clients can join a heliski day?
A helicopter takes a maximum of four clients, with their guide.
Do you provide safety equipment for off-piste or touring?
Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel, avalanche airbag) can be provided on request, subject to availability — let us know when you enquire so we can confirm ahead of your arrival.
How far in advance should I book?
As early as possible for peak weeks such as Christmas, February half-term and Easter. Outside those periods, we can often confirm closer to your dates.
International powder trips are different: they are usually booked around a year in advance.
Is off-piste or heliski suitable for any level?
It depends on the activity. For a first off-piste outing, you need to be confident on piste. For ski touring, no previous touring experience is needed for most itineraries, but you should be comfortable skiing off-piste and have good general fitness. For heliski, it depends on the drop point: many are accessible at a solid, comfortable level in variable snow, not only to experts.