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Activities

The Grand Zermatt Tour — Monte Rosa Heliskiing

Level: 3
Season: Winter
Duration: 1
Participants: Max 4

My goal

A private day of heliskiing and freeride across the glaciers of Monte Rosa, connecting Italy and Switzerland.

If you love freeriding and are looking for something beyond a traditional day of off-piste skiing, the Grand Zermatt Tour offers a different way to experience Monte Rosa.

We will use a helicopter to reach the high mountains, then begin a journey on skis across vast glaciers and alpine valleys, linking Monte Rosa, Zermatt and Val d’Ayas.

What makes this experience special is not simply the helicopter flight, but the opportunity to explore remarkably different mountain landscapes in a single day, combining long off-piste descents with lift connections.

Our aim is not just to accumulate vertical metres. We want to share a mountain we know and love, enjoy some excellent skiing and choose the most rewarding route according to the snow conditions, the weather and your abilities.

Where You’ll Go

We will start from Passo dei Salati and take a helicopter to one of two high-altitude landing sites: Colle del Lys or Colle di Verra. We will choose the most suitable option according to mountain conditions and our planned route.

From there, we will begin our descent along one of Monte Rosa’s great glacier routes, with the possibility of reaching Zermatt via the Grenzgletscher or Schwarzgletscher itinerary.

We will then use the lifts around Zermatt to return to higher ground towards Klein Matterhorn (Piccolo Cervino), before continuing our journey on the Italian side through Val di Verra or Cime Bianche.

After reaching Champoluc, we will use the Monterosa Ski lifts to make our way back to Gressoney.

This is our reference itinerary rather than a fixed route. We may adapt it according to snow conditions, visibility and lift operations.

What This Experience Requires

The Grand Zermatt Tour is designed for skiers with solid freeride experience who can ski confidently on ungroomed snow and varied terrain.

The descents are long, take place at high altitude and cross glaciated terrain. You will need good physical fitness, the ability to manage your energy throughout a full day of skiing, and confidence in challenging snow conditions.

Previous heliskiing experience is not necessary, but strong off-piste skiing skills are essential.

If you have never skied with us before, we recommend booking a freeride day with one of our guides beforehand. This gives us the opportunity to get to know each other, understand your skiing style and assess your ability together. It will also help us plan your Grand Zermatt Tour more effectively and select the most suitable descents.

How We’ll Guide You

You will be accompanied by an IFMGA Mountain Guide with extensive knowledge of Monte Rosa, its glaciers and the routes connecting Italy and Switzerland.

Before setting off, we will check your equipment and explain the essential procedures for the helicopter flight and travelling through glaciated terrain.

Throughout the day, we will continuously assess snow, weather and visibility, selecting the most suitable descents and routes.

The private format allows us to adapt the pace and itinerary to your group, rather than following a rigid schedule when mountain conditions suggest a better alternative.

Our goal is to give you a rewarding day of skiing, thoughtfully organised and filled with memorable descents, with the confidence of having experienced mountain professionals by your side.

2 participants: €1,100.00 per person
3 participants: €850.00 per person
4 participants: €650.00 per person

What’s Included

  • IFMGA Mountain Guide for the full day.
  • One helicopter flight as scheduled in the programme.
  • Monterosa Ski lift pass with Zermatt extension for participants and the guide.
  • Avalanche safety kit: transceiver, shovel and probe.
  • ABS avalanche airbag backpack.

What’s Not Included

Accident insurance, meals not specified, anything not listed under “What’s included”.

Day 0 — Preparation and Briefing

The day before the activity, we will go through the final details of the programme with your guide, check the necessary equipment and review the weather forecast and snow conditions.

We will confirm the meeting time, helicopter arrangements and practical information for the following day.

If you have never skied with us before, we recommend arranging a preliminary freeride day. This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other on skis, assess your ability together and choose the routes best suited to your skills.

The briefing does not require an additional activity day. The preliminary freeride day is optional and is not included in the programme.

Day 1 — The Grand Zermatt Tour

We will meet at Passo dei Salati for an equipment check and briefing with your mountain guide. Together, we will review snow conditions, visibility and the itinerary planned for the day.

From Passo dei Salati, we will take off by helicopter and fly to either Colle del Lys or Colle di Verra, choosing the landing site best suited to the conditions and our route.

This is where our ski journey towards Zermatt begins, following one of Monte Rosa’s great glacier itineraries. Depending on the route selected, we may descend along the Grenzgletscher or Schwarzgletscher.

We can look forward to long descents in a remarkable high-alpine environment, surrounded by glaciers, towering mountain faces and constantly changing scenery as we approach the Swiss side.

Once in the Zermatt area, we will use the lifts to regain altitude towards Klein Matterhorn.

From here, we will continue onto the Italian side, choosing between Val di Verra and the Cime Bianche itineraries according to conditions.

We will reach Champoluc and use the Monterosa Ski lifts to return to Gressoney, usually during the afternoon.

The itinerary is indicative. Your guide may modify the route according to snow and glacier conditions, visibility and lift operations. Our priority will be to choose the best possible itinerary for a rewarding day of freeriding, with safety guiding every decision.

For the Grand Zermatt Tour, you will need:

  • Freeride or ski touring skis and suitable ski boots
  • Certified ski helmet
  • Avalanche safety kit: transceiver, shovel and probe
  • ABS avalanche airbag backpack
  • Climbing harness for glacier travel

The avalanche safety kit (transceiver, shovel and probe), harness and ABS avalanche airbag backpack are included in the price.

Your guide will let you know if any additional technical equipment is required for the planned itinerary.

Once your booking is confirmed, we will send you all the information you need to prepare your equipment. If you are unsure about any items you already own, we can review them together before departure.

Mountaineering, ski touring, off-piste skiing and trekking take place in a natural, uncontrolled environment.
Weather conditions, snow, ice, terrain, visibility, altitude and physical fatigue can change rapidly and directly affect the course of the activity. For this reason, there is always an inherent level of objective risk, which cannot be eliminated but only managed.

All our activities are led by IFMGA Mountain Guides and Certified Hiking Guides (AMM).
The guide continuously assesses environmental conditions and the physical and mental state of participants, sets an appropriate pace, manages progression and ensures the correct use of equipment. If conditions require it, the guide may modify the itinerary or interrupt the activity, always in the interest of individual and group safety.

Participants are required to be in good physical and mental condition, adequately prepared for the level of the activity, and to follow the guide’s instructions at all times.

Group activities

During group outings, the pace is set according to the slowest participant. In case of fatigue or discomfort, the guide may decide to adjust the programme or return early. In the mountains, the group ascends and returns together.

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**FAQ #1** – Do I need previous heliskiing experience?

You do not need to have flown in a helicopter before, but solid freeride experience is essential.

You must be able to ski confidently on ungroomed snow, including challenging conditions, and have the fitness required for a full day of long descents at high altitude.

**FAQ #2** – Can I join if I have never skied with your guides before?

Absolutely. If we have not skied together before, we recommend arranging a preliminary freeride day with one of our guides.

This gives us the opportunity to ski together, get to know your abilities and understand which routes suit you best.

The preliminary day is optional and can be arranged separately.

**FAQ #3** – Is the helicopter flight guaranteed?

No. Helicopter operations depend on weather conditions, visibility and the pilot’s operational assessment.

If flying is not possible, we will organise an alternative guided freeride day and refund €840 for each booked flight that does not take place.

The refund applies to the helicopter flight, not to each individual participant.

Lift passes are non-refundable.

**FAQ #4** – Can we choose where the helicopter lands?

The two planned landing sites are Colle del Lys and Colle di Verra.

We will use only one of them, selecting the most suitable option according to the itinerary and mountain conditions.

The final choice also depends on helicopter operations.

**FAQ #5** – Does the tour always follow the same route through Zermatt?

No. The Grand Zermatt Tour is a ski journey that can follow several different glacier itineraries.

Your guide will choose the route according to snow conditions, visibility, glacier conditions and lift operations.

If necessary, we will adapt the programme to find a suitable alternative.

**FAQ #6** – Do I need to bring my own avalanche safety equipment and ABS backpack?

The avalanche safety kit, including a transceiver, shovel and probe, and the ABS avalanche airbag backpack are included in the price.

You will need your own suitable freeride skis and boots, a helmet and appropriate high-altitude clothing.

Before departure, we will send you detailed equipment instructions.

**FAQ #7** – Is the Zermatt lift pass included in the price?

Yes. The price includes the Monterosa Ski lift pass with the Zermatt extension, allowing us to use the lifts required for the planned itinerary.

Lift passes are non-refundable, even if conditions prevent the helicopter flight from taking place.

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The Grand Zermatt Tour — Monte Rosa Heliskiing

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Insurance

Before departure, check that your insurance policy specifically covers mountaineering, glacier travel, altitude, trip cancellation, repatriation, and personal liability. For more information, read our complete guide to mountain insurance.

WINTER

Level 1 – Explore
First freeride experiences. Controlled turns and a relaxed pace on accessible terrain.

Level 2 – Advanced
Confident skiing on ungroomed snow and able to maintain a good pace throughout the day.

Level 3 – Technical
Regular freeride experience, including on steeper terrain and in more exposed situations.


SUMMER

Level 1 – First experience
You should be comfortable with normal mountain hiking. No previous mountaineering or glacier experience is required.

Level 2 – Basic experience
You should already have completed hikes of several hours on mountain trails. Previous glacier experience or use of crampons is not required, but you should be ready to use them for the first time.

Level 3 – Mountaineering experience
Previous experience using crampons and travelling roped together on a glacier is required. The route may include short exposed sections.

Level 4 – Advanced experience
Solid experience using crampons and travelling roped together is required. The route may include exposed ridges, steep slopes and mixed terrain.

Level 5 – Experienced mountaineer
Strong experience on technical high-mountain routes is required. The route may include very exposed sections, climbing on rock, ice or mixed terrain, and may require knowledge of the main rope techniques.

The level indicates the technical experience required, not the physical effort.
The actual difficulty may vary depending on mountain conditions and the route.