EDITION 30 // 2017_2018

e As the helicopter’s skids touch down, a cloud of snow rises. The engine dies down. Then the silence is complete. On the Dosso le Pone, at an altitude of 2,550 metres, it is a sublime silence. On glimpsing the Cima de Piazzi, the heart beats faster; faster; its western slope glitters so seductively in the morning light. It is completely pristine, with not a track to be seen. The heli-skiers experience a magical moment bet- ween sky and snow. Pulse rates increase as feet are clicked into bin- dings. As if in a state of intoxication, they then glide through the deep powder snow into the valley at 1,900 metres, without a care in the world, through the glorious landscape. The tempo picks up. It’s al- most like flying, almost like a drug. The tour is certainly challenging, but it’s also great fun. “It’s so beautiful it makes you want to shout”, enthuses Erich Bottlang. “For me, heli-skiing means pure ecstasy!” T A K E - O F F T O A D V E N T U R E Our state-qualified ski instructor Erich Bottlang regularly takes to the air with guests of the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel so that they can en- joy an unrivalled adventure in the snow – which is what he is doing now as the helicopter heads for the landing site north of the Italian Bormio 3,000 summit station. An exquisite pleasure. A world re- moved from run-of-the-mill pistes. While some consider Ca- nada’s deep powder snow runs to be the ultimate, here you discover that Europe also has something to of- fer when it comes to heli-skiing. And Bormio 3,000 in Lombardy is just 45 minutes from St. Moritz, including a short stopover. For on the Swiss-Italian border, there is a ch- ange of helicopter – a legal requirement. Though it does nothing to dampen the excitement. On the contrary: the sense of anticipation is only ramped up! “You simply have to freeride down the Cima de Piazzi”, Bottlang laughs and immediately explains why: “It’s just so much fun.” Well, if he says so! Bottlang (57) has 35 years of experience . E X T R A V A G A N T T O P S P O T S There are several landing sites for helicopters up in the clouds within easy reach of St. Moritz, all of which are great spots for breath-taking adventures. It’s truly sensational when the helicopter heads for se- veral on the same day – as it does on the extravagant day tour to the Susten Pass, for example. This means six hours of non-stop adrena- line rushes. The thrills start at 2,900 metres on the Sustenjoch. This in parts very steep run takes the skier down the Susten Glacier, past fantastic glacial break-offs, to the pass road at an altitude 600 metres lower. Expertise is a must. As is a good level of fitness. This is becau- se the helicopter is already waiting on the road - ready for the second stop! Up it goes again, departing on the spot. Everyone looks for a fresh clue; James Bond would be envious ... the rotor blades begin to turn. Next destination: Petersgrad. En route, a fabulous mountain panorama moves past – the Jungfraujoch, the north face of the Eiger – then the next landing site at 3,170 metres is reached: this time, the Breithorn Glacier gives rise to unbridled joy, 1,000 wonderful metres in length. At the bottom, the helicopter picks up the riders again to deposit them at 3,700 metres on the Ebnefluh for a Badrutts’s Pala- ce lunch against a fascinating scenic backdrop with fine sandwiches from the kitchen of the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, washed down with a sparkling glass of red Veltliner wine. Where could bread and wine possibly taste better? The refuelling is much needed, because the next stage of the trip is about to begin – to the last stop at 3,160 metres: the Lötschenlücke Pass in the Valais Alps. The skiers are then transpor- ted back to St. Moritz – a trip that takes 40 minutes. The transfer to the hotel is performed in consummate style by Rolls Royce. But me- morable experiences are also to be had nearby, since it’s also possible to glide into a winter wonderland in the vicinity of St. Moritz. Then the helicopter lands just five minutes by air from the Badrutt’s Pala- ce Hotel at 2,935 metres on the Fuorcla Chamuotsch peak. This is the only official landing site in the Engadin region. An abundance of snow awaits the skiers here, too! For six kilometres, they race down this valley cut alongside the Piz Julier, an elevation loss of 600 met- res. It’s a mecca for anyone wishing to garner experience in off-piste skiing before things get extreme. But a word of warning to anyone experiencing this first-rate skiing thrill for the first time: there’s a se- rious risk of addiction! So that every descent is an unbridled pleasure with a carefully calculated risk, each party is always accompanied by a mountain guide who knows the terrain like the back of their hand, as well as the pilot and ski instructor. Heli-skiing is usually possible from January and continues well into February. “When the snow has set well, it’s less dangerous”, says Erich Bottlang. For safety purposes, every skier carries an LVS avalanche transceiver. This is a standard item of equipment and also part of the emergency kit along with an air bag, a probe and a shovel. Anyone keen to ski exclusively off-piste needs to be phy- sically fit, in decent shape and have good skiing skills. “You also need a polished technique and experience in deep snow to ski quickly and safely off piste”, advises Bottlang. This ensures that everyone can return with radiant eyes after these unfor- gettable moments and immerse themsel- ves again in the cosy sensation of being at home again – in the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. T I P S F O R F R E E R I D E R S Freeriders will also be in their element in the Bormio re- gion. Beneath the Bormio 3,000 summit station, there is also an ex- tensive freeriding area. Here, one slope in particular is to die for: the Vallone. It is very steep and extremely long! The World Cup course has an altitude difference of 1,700 metres, making it one of the re- cord holders worldwide. The nearby World Cup-proven Santa Cate- rina ski area is also a worthwhile destination. “It’s not just a mecca for racers, but also a fabulous destination for freeriders - you’re virtually alone there with your wide skis”, says Bottlang. And with a little bit of a climb, you can reach the Monte Sobretta peak and soak up the view of the entire southern Alps – simply fabulous!”// 69 // T O W E R R E V U E P e r s o n a l i n v i t a t i o n HEL I - SKI ING An extravagant tour to the Susten Pass 4 peaks, 4 landings, 3- 4 departures per stop, lunch at 3,700 m., transfer by Rolls Royce.* *Price on request