Heliskiing
Heliskiing , also called heliboarding , describes a type of skiing or snowboarding . Skiers can be flown in a helicopter up a snow-covered mountain and from there, under the guidance of experienced heli-guides, they descend through untouched deep snow . This type of skiing is also known as powdering (English for "whirling up powder"). The helicopter accompanies the downhill skiers.
introduction
The Austrian Hans Gmoser started heli-skiing in Canada in the 1960s . The special approach and the explosive descents arose from the idea of offering exclusive guests a special skiing experience instead of conventional ski tours . Countries and landscapes with high mountains with guaranteed snow are suitable for implementation, so Canada, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Australia / New Zealand are the areas in which heli-skiing has developed strongly.
The goals of the heliski drivers are nature experiences, thrills, sporting efforts and moments of happiness.
Implementation / security
Extreme downhill skiers (skis or snowboards) are only allowed to go on tours in the company of an experienced guide (a heli guide ). He is often a mountain guide , but is always certified as a heli guide . Heliskiing is preceded by conscientious, mandatory safety training. The helicopter stays in sight over the runners and can fly them up again for further descents.
Because of the great danger of avalanches, the snow and avalanche situation is checked daily in the selected mountain regions with modern equipment and in close cooperation with the weather stations. In addition, it is mandatory to carry avalanche safety equipment (beeper, shovel, etc.). However, the organizers do not bear the risk, but shift this to the heliskiing participants with a waiver of liability.
Most helicopters of the type Bell 205 and Bell 212 are used. These reliable machines are used by experienced pilots in visual flight and transport up to eleven skiers plus heliguide and pilot. Exclusive helicopter programs with smaller helicopters (max. Four to five guests) are also offered - so-called private programs. Instrument flight is not possible due to the conditions in the mountains. On the other hand, heli-skiing is by far not as dependent on the weather as one might assume. Even with snowfall, you can fly at least up to the tree line under normal conditions.
The tragic death of Munich brewery entrepreneur Jannik Inselkammer , who was hit by an avalanche while heli-skiing in Canada in March 2014 , proves that accidents cannot be ruled out despite all the safety precautions .
Canada
Heliskiing is particularly common in snowy and inaccessible areas in Canada. Around 30 helicopter companies are now offering heli-skiing programs there. The main regions are the western Rocky Mountains ( Whistler , Revelstoke , Blue River ) and the northern coastal regions of British Columbia .
Russia and Central Asia
Another popular heliski region, but not nearly as popular as Canada, is Kamchatka in the far northeast of Russia . Here you can descend over partly active volcanoes up to 2,000 meters in altitude. The best time to travel to Kamchatka is mid-February to mid-May. During this time, snow depths of ten meters are not uncommon; many mountains in the almost endless area have never been skied.
Another heliskiing region is the Caucasus ; In addition to the Georgian Gudauri , this is particularly popular in the winter sports resort of Sochi , the venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics .
Heliskiing is also organized in the Tian Shan Mountains in the Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan .
Alps
In view of the aircraft noise and because of nature conservation, heli-skiing has been criticized in Europe and is rarely offered in the Alps due to prohibitions or high requirements. In February 2019, Air Zermatt launched a heli-skiing offer together with Hertz . The offer includes renting a luxury SUV from Hertz for 24 hours and a flight in an Air Zermatt helicopter from Raron airport to one of the surrounding ski areas. Mountain Wilderness criticizes the offer as “almost symbolic of the ignorance of the environmental problems of our time” and called for the offer to be discontinued at the end of January 2019.
In Switzerland, it is possible to approach precisely defined mountain landing sites . Any landing over 1100 meters outside of these finally named places is prohibited. In the summer of 2011, Parliament will revise this list. In 2007 there were 42 mountain landing sites in Switzerland, half of which are located in or on the edge of protected areas, 6 of which are even in the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In Austria , heliskiing is only allowed in Vorarlberg and there only two places in the Lechquellen Mountains : from the summit of the Mehlsack and from the upper end of the Schneetällis below the Orgelspitze .
In Italy , heli-skiing has established itself particularly well in the Aosta Valley .
New Zealand and Australia
In New Zealand , heli-skiing is available near Queenstown or Christchurch . The mountain regions of Aoraki / Mount Cook Mackenzie and Methven also serve as starting points for heliskiing tours.
Alternative catskiing
The participants are transported to the starting point of the tour in snow groomers that have been expanded to include seating. Especially in the USA and Canada , catskiing is used as an alternative to heli-skiing.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ History of heli-skiing. Retrieved January 2, 2018 (German).
- ↑ OB Ude appalled by the death of Inselkammer . On: www.tz.de; accessed on March 26, 2014
- ↑ Heliskiing in Kamchatka on volcanoes in Siberia. Retrieved on May 25, 2018 (German).
- ↑ Stefan Häne: With SUV and helicopter straight to the ski slope. In: bernerzeitung.ch . February 12, 2019, accessed February 13, 2019 .
- ↑ Federal Office for Civil Aviation (Ed.): Sectoral Plan for Aviation Infrastructure (SIL) . Part III B6a - Mountain Airfields. June 27, 2007, p. 4 ( page no longer available , search in web archives: online ).
- ^ ORF: Heliskiing in Austria. Retrieved December 18, 2011 .
- ↑ CATSKIING - With the caterpillar into the endless white ski wilderness. Retrieved on March 5, 2018 (German).