Since 1973, Air Zermatt has built a world-class reputation in the Swiss Alps and beyond. With a current fleet of at least ten aircraft, they are highly respected for their acumen in mountain rescue, performing over 50,000 rescue missions in their lengthy history.
Forging a broader horizon and capitalizing on its well-known brand, Air Zermatt has intelligently “spread its wings” by diversifying their operation. This is in contrast to other airborne rescue operations such as REGA in Switzerland, a private, non-profit funded by donors. REGA and government run emergency operations in France, and Italy are focused on just emergency rescue.
Air Zermatt offers heliskiing, as well as applying its very seasoned and valuable assets toward other congruent businesses such as tourism sightseeing, construction transportation, mountain and air rescue training and flight training.
Nearly all other heliskiing operations do not own the most expensive asset of the heliskiing business – the aircraft! Instead, they typically lease them on a seasonal basis and then contract with the pilots for their services. Because Air Zermatt has the advantage of a local fleet of helicopters and they maintain heli-pilots on staff, there are only a few remaining key pieces needed to complete this perfect heliskiing equation! Permission is always required to utilize the tenure or backcountry terrain, which of course Air Zermatt has. Now all you need to do is get a guide...and submit a request to Mother Nature for some great snow conditions....and bang! You’re going heliskiing!
For a better understanding of the working parts of a heliskiing company, see what REALLY is a heliskiing company.
That said, Air Zermatt's prowess in the Valais Mountains have earned the company quite a reputation. They are the centerpiece of a Netfix / RedBull TV series, "The Horn," released in 2016. And long before that, in 1986, a former Air Zermatt pilot Siegfried Stangier, published a book titled "Rescuers Who Come from Heaven."
Air Zermatt is an operation with a very high degree of pedigree.
If safety is a concern for you, and it always should be to some degree, then choose to fly and heliski with the best in the business! In the very rare occurrence when an unexpected problem arises, you have THE MOST capable team in the Alps to immediately respond. Consider their company motto “Your health is our #1 mission.”
That dedication should give you a large measure of comfort...as you lift off and your stomach begins to tell you you're just minutes away from an adrenaline bomb, getting ready to charge down some steep & deep lines of a lifetime!
