Heliskiing: the name alone is enough to prick the ears of adrenaline junkies everywhere and this is one extreme sport that certainly lives up to the hype.
A thrilling downhill skiing experience combining both action and adventure, you’re treated to mesmerising views as you ascend the slopes in a helicopter, then you get to enact your best action movie star impression by exiting the chopper amongst the clouds and dramatically tearing down the pristine slopes on skis.
Heliskiing takes place far away from the busy, groomed slopes you find at the resorts – instead taking in beautiful remote mountainsides covered with fresh powdered snow amongst wild natural beauty.
Heliskiing in Italy’s Vall d’Aosta
For those looking to try their hand at heliskiing, there is nowhere better than Italy’s Valle d’Aosta. Found in the north-west of the country, this is a premier heliskiing destination and, in fact, the only place in Italy where it’s possible. (This is due to the enactment of a law that regulates the activity on well-defined routes.) But Valle d’Aosta is also an area of magnificent and uncontaminated beauty, which makes getting a birds-eye-view while you’re shredding the slopes an incredibly exhilarating experience.
The brilliant Breuil-Cervinia resort boasts several extraordinary descents, which will give you an experience unlike any other ski/snowboarding trip you’ve ever had.
Monte Rosa (4,300 mt)
The highest heliskiing descent in Europe, this astonishing run of medium difficulty takes you up to the heavens and provides truly sublime panoramic vistas of the Alps. You can touch the sky when you land at Lys Pass, before descending along the glacier Grenzgletscher, where you meet with the largest Mt Rosa glacier – the Gornergletscher. Once you finally reach the end of this mammoth descent, you pass through an exquisite ice canyon with tiny blue lakes. This site is an absolute must for all riders.
Roisette (3,300 mt)
You’re treated to glorious views over the Mt Rosa mass from the peak of this medium difficulty descent, which is located between Valtournenche and Valle d’Ayas. The run begins with a challenging slope with a few tight curves, before opening up to become a rapid descent into the stunning Cheneil basin. If the weather permits, you can continue down to Maen by zigzagging amongst the pines and through the pretty villages.
Porta Nera (3,750 mt)
Only the hardcore need sign up for Porta Nera, which is a hard and intense descent sure to test your skills and nerve. After landing on glacier de Tsan, you continue on to the Roisette glacier before arriving at Lake Cignana. Along the way, you will encounter narrow canals, wide valleys and a constant surge of adrenaline!
For more information about the ski scene in Breuil-Cervinia, check out this article.
How to Get to Breuil-Cervinia
It is extremely easy to reach Breuil-Cervinia from London, with several major airlines making regular flights throughout the week. Cervinia is within easy reach of Turin airport (1 hour 40 minutes), Milan Malpensa airport (2 hours 20 minutes) and Geneva (2 hours 45 minutes).
No matter which airport you arrive at, Shuttle Direct offers a quick and efficient way to access the resort and saves you the trouble of using public transportation. With our simple and affordable service, you can simply sit back and take in your extraordinary new surroundings.
Alternatively, you can get the train from London St Pancras or Ebbsfleet International to a number of stations in the French Alps (approximately 15 hours). Getting the rest of the way to Aosta and on to your resort is simple with a prebooked Shuttle Direct transfer, which will meet you at any train station and take you the rest of the way in style.
Where to Stay:
Hotel Lyskamm – This fantastic hotel boasts very low rates without skimping on the service. Located opposite the ski slopes, each room features an LCD TV, mesmerising views, free Wi-Fi (in all areas) and a private bathroom complete with a toiletry set and hairdryer. Triple Rooms are available for families. The alpine-style Hotel Lyskamm also has a sauna, fitness centre and a restaurant, which serves wide-ranging dishes, as well as classic local meals from the Valley. Breakfast in the room is also available. With ski-to-door access, this is the perfect accommodation for those not wanting to waste any time but who also appreciate a well-equipped and comfortable place to stay.
Hotel Meuble Gorret – Another hotel with ski-to-door access, this is many winter sports enthusiasts’ favourite, due to the superb sauna room with a glass ceiling. This allows for jaw-dropping mountain vistas and a tremendous amount of revitalising natural light to cascade through the room. The Hotel Meuble Gorret rooms also provide amazing views (with some having their own balconies), plus satellite TV and free Wi-Fi (available in every area). There is a wide range of room types available, including luxurious Comfort Triple rooms. There is a ‘breakfast in the room’ service, but many guests like to take a short stroll to the cafes, shops and restaurants, which can be reached in just 5 minutes.
Hotel Grivola – Nestled in the heart of Breuil-Cervinia, Hotel Grivola provides ski-to-door access and a shuttle to/from the slopes for easy access. You also benefit from an electric atmosphere, being at the centre of Cervinia. The elegant restaurant serves traditional dishes from the Valley and has an extensive wine list. Rooms (max capacity of three) are carpeted and each comes with satellite TV and terrific views of the surrounding mountains. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
About Shuttle Direct:
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