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Heli Trip to the Roof of the World

Air Zermatt

One of the great skiing adventures in Zermatt is to take the lift up to Klein Matterhorn and then ski over the ridge and across the Swiss/Italian border and down into Italy. Stopping for a spot of Lunch in Cervinia or Valtournenche and then a return to Zermatt, calling at a couple of the many rifugio’s/restaurants on the way down for a refresher, not compulsory, but why not? You’re on holiday! 

It’s a fabulous full day’s skiing and a very popular trip. I’ve done this trip many times, the skiing is exhilarating, the lunch fabulous and the whole day is very satisfying. The guests I’ve accompanied as a guide have always been more than happy with the whole experience. As a day’s skiing goes it’s pretty hard to top, or so I thought. Instead of taking the lift I did the first leg by helicopter this time. 

As I escorted my guests in an electro taxi to the heli port in Zermatt I could feel the excitement rising and my guests were getting very giddy. The helicopter was a five seater, one up front next to the pilot and three in the back. The lucky passenger in the front has the added bonus of a glass floor beneath their feet, so they need a strong stomach. Three of us were slightly disappointed as we gave the prime seat to the birthday girl in our party, a decision that she was less than 100% happy with when we approached the North face of the Matterhorn. It looked for all the world like we were going to hit the damn thing and I must admit to a heart stopping moment, until I spotted the grin on the pilots face. Obviously a stunt he’d perfected and performed many times. As if the trip to that point hadn’t been thrilling enough! 

Air Zermatt
Air Zermatt

The Trip lasts about twenty five minutes, although there are longer rides if you so wish. After take off, you fly down the valley away from Zermatt and down towards Tasch and then over the Wiesshorn which is actually higher than the Matterhorn. As you turn left an amazing panorama unfolds, totally awesome, in the true sense of the word and one of the few times that the overworked adjective is totally apt. The sky is the deepest blue and the snow is diamond white. It’s hard to know where to look, it’s all so utterly breathtaking. Zermatt village appears way below and gives you a sense of just how high you’ve ascended from take off. Hovering around the peak of Zermatt, climbers were actually visible on the ridge, making their way to the summit. 

We touched down at Testa Grigia, and hopped off with face splitting grins, high fiving and whooping for joy, what a trip and what a total buzz. The skiing was almost an anti climax but once you start the descent down to Cervinia you soon settle again with an enhanced sense of what a wonderful environment and how magical it is to be in the mountains.

Danny Frith

Danny Frith lives and works in Zermatt, Switzerland and is passionate about the mountains. He is Co-founder and Director of the successful and burgeoning luxury ski chalet agency, SkiBoutique. After traveling extensively Danny found his spiritual home in the shadow of the Matterhorn, a view he enjoys daily from his office window. He’s often on the piste ski guiding, taking care of guests and...(Read More)

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