Designing the ultimate private alpine adventure

Helicopter skiing is the purest way to meet the mountains, and the most humbling. You can plan everything except the sky. That is not a flaw in the experience; it is the experience. The art is in designing a week that is wonderful whether you fly every day or only twice.

The mountain decides

Each morning, certified mountain guides look at the snowpack, wind, visibility and avalanche reports and decide whether, where and how high to fly. Their decision is final, and it should be. Anyone who promises a fixed number of flying days is promising something nobody can guarantee. We plan the week around that honesty.

Heli-skiing rules also vary by country and region. Some areas allow landings only in specific zones; others do not allow heli-skiing at all. Part of planning is choosing a base where the options are genuinely good for your group's ability.

Choosing the right base

• A chalet you would happily spend a whole day in, because some days you will.
• Easy access to pistes and off-piste terrain for days the helicopter stays down.
• Space for a kosher kitchen arrangement and, if you wish, a quiet Shabbat.
• A sensible transfer from the airport, so you are not losing a day at each end.

Matching the week to the people

Not everyone in a family skis at the same level, and that is fine. Strong skiers might fly in the morning while others take a private instructor on groomed runs, then everyone meets for lunch. Non-skiers may prefer snowshoeing, a scenic flight, or simply the view from the terrace. We ask honestly about ability and appetite for risk, because the right guide and terrain depend on it.

Food and Shabbat in the mountains

The chalet is the kitchen. Most families use a supervised chef or certified catering brought up to the chalet, arranged to their standard and confirmed in advance. Mountain villages rarely have kosher restaurants, so we do not rely on them.

Shabbat becomes a true rest day: no lifts, no flights, meals prepared ahead, a long walk in the snow, and time by the fire. Many people tell us it ends up being their favourite day of the week. Shabbat times in the Alps are straightforward, but transfers on Friday need care on short winter days.

Plans B and C, ready in advance

• A day of guided off-piste from the lifts when it is too windy to fly.
• A spa, a long lunch, or a drive to a neighbouring valley when visibility is poor.
• Flexible flying days, so a good weather window is never wasted.

Timing

Conditions and availability depend heavily on the season, so we usually suggest starting conversations several months ahead, especially if you want a specific chalet or dates around school holidays. Tell us who is coming, how they ski and what standard you keep, and we will tell you honestly what is possible.