Courchevel is famous amongst skiers as the premier winter resort in the French Alps. Its location in the heart of the Trois Vallées ensures excellent skiing conditions, but it can take a long time to access by road from the main commercial airports. Fortunately, there is an altiport, which receives private, small, fixed-wing aircrafts and helicopters, although it is infamous for its precarious position. The Courchevel altiport is considered by some to be dangerous, due to its difficult approach in an area that is dotted with ski runs. Pilots often have a hard time navigating to and from Courchevel Altiport because of the deep valleys and high elevation. However, the skilled pilots of Heli Securite are exceptionally well trained and are seamlessly able to land in safety time and time again.
Factors such as the airports high elevation (2,008 m), a very short runway of only 525 metres and gradient of 18.6% make the altiport at Courchevel a very tricky landing spot. The steep hill has seen some accidents in the past, so only specially certified pilots are allowed to fly into Courchevel Altiport. Night flights are strictly prohibited and operating hours are limited to 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time), except in emergencies. Unlike most altiports, there is no go-around procedure for landings because of the surrounding mountainous terrain, which means that landing correctly on the first approach is vital.
Of course, the element of danger and exclusivity can be appealing in many ways, particularly when you use a company that has an impeccable track record, such as Heli Securite. Landing at Courchevel Altiport can be an exhilarating experience, since it is in the heart of the French Alps and the views are awe-inspiring. The pre-credit sequence of the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies was filmed at Courchevel, and, naturally, our hero managed to land a plane successfully. The resort is not only popular with famous British secret agents; it draws a host of celebrities and royals such as Princes William and Harry, the Beckhams and Sir Elton John – and you can be sure they arrive in style.
You shouldn’t waste time travelling to such a prestigious resort, when you could be on the piste and mingling with the international jet set in such a short space of time. The biggest airport in the region is Geneva, which is around two hours 15 minutes’ transfer by road and Chambery, which is about an hour and a half’s drive. A helicopter transfer only takes 30 minutes from Geneva and 20 minutes from Chambery. The exceptionally well-trained pilots at Heli Securite can ensure your safe and stylish arrival in Courchevel at a time that is convenient to you.
If you are interested in booking your transfers in one of our luxury helicopters, please contact Heli Securite for further information.
