The Experience
The Pyrenees from above.
The Val d’Arán below.
Europe’s most accessible heliski destination — and its most complete.
The destination
The closest great
heliski terrain
to the rest of the world.
Most heliski destinations require a transatlantic flight, a layover, and a long transfer. The Val d’Arán is 2 hours from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport — direct flights from London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Zurich. You arrive on a Saturday afternoon. You are in the helicopter on Sunday morning. You can be home by Monday night.
- 2h from Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS) by road
- Direct flights from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, Frankfurt
- Barcelona 3.5h · Madrid 5h by road
- Private helicopter transfer from airports available on request
The range
430 kilometres from the
Atlantic to the Mediterranean.
The Spanish Pyrenees form one of the great natural barriers of Europe, reaching over 3,400 metres. The Val d’Arán sits at the heart of the range — a north-facing enclave with its own microclimate, its own language (Aranese), and a mountain character found nowhere else in the Pyrenees. The terrain runs from 1,200 to 3,000 metres. Operating here since 2008 — we know where the snow is.
The terrain
400 km². Multiple orientations. Consistent snow.
Our operating area covers 400 km² across several valley orientations. North-facing couloirs hold cold, dry snow through January and February. Wider south and west-facing slopes open up in March with long spring descents. Vertical: 500–800m per run. 250+ catalogued runs. In fifteen seasons here, we have not run out of lines.
Key stats
What 400 km² means
on the mountain.
400 km²
Exclusive area
1,200 m
Base altitude
3,000 m
Peak altitude
800 m
Vertical/run
250 +
Catalogued runs
Jan – Mar
Season
The terrain reserves are exclusive to Pyrenees Heliski. No other operator. We limit the mountain to a maximum of 4 groups simultaneously — the lines stay fresh.
The valley
Heliski in the morning.
The Val d’Arán
in the evening.
Most heliski operations end the day at a remote lodge. Ours ends in a valley with five-star hotels, restaurants that serious diners travel to specifically, and a culture that has developed in geographic isolation for centuries. The Val d’Arán has its own language — Aranese, a variant of Gascon Occitan — its own cuisine, its own architecture.
- Five-star hotels and boutique mountain properties
- Mountain dining that rivals any ski destination in Europe
- Baqueira-Beret resort — adjacent, included in packages as backup
- Its own language, architecture, and cuisine — genuinely Aranese
Accommodation
Three zones in the valley.
Classic packages include 4★ hotel. Private packages include 5★. Upgrades, suites, and chalets available on request.
Vielha · Central
Vielha
Shops, restaurants, bars. Close to the Vielha heliport. Most convenient base for early departures and après within walking distance.
Arties · Village
Arties
Authentic Aranese village between the resort and the heliport. Spa options, family-friendly, quieter than Vielha with excellent restaurants.
Baqueira · 5★
Baqueira
Ski-in/ski-out five-star hotels with premium mountain views. Right choice for Private packages and guests who want the full luxury resort experience.
A day on the mountain
Your guide builds the day.
Your job is to ski it.
Our team is available throughout your stay for dinner bookings, questions, and anything you need.
1
Arrival
Airport transfer to your hotel. Welcome & administrative check-in.
2
08:30 — Transfer & briefing
Hotel to heliport. Safety briefing, equipment distribution, transceiver practice.
3
09:00 — First lift
Helicopter departs. Terrain selected based on the morning snowpack assessment.
4
09:00–16:00 — Skiing
Multiple runs throughout the day. Mountain lunch included. Terrain adapts to conditions and group ability.
5
Evening — The Val d’Arán
Return to hotel. Restaurants, après. Our team arranges dinner reservations on request.
6
Departure day
Optional morning session, or transfer to airport. Final invoice.
Equipment & requirements
What we provide. What to bring.
Heliski equipment — included
Skis & Boards
- Salomon QST 106 skis (165–189 cm)
- Salomon Sick Stick snowboards (157 & 163 cm)
- Poles (110–140 cm)
Safety equipment — included
Every participant
- Mammut Barryvox S transceiver
- ARVA Calgary 18 airbag backpack
- Shovel & probe · RECCO reflector
- Radio (last in group)
Personal kit — bring your own
What to pack
- Standard alpine ski clothing is sufficient
- At least two pairs of gloves — they get wet
- Sunglasses (cat. 3+) and ski goggles
- Sunscreen — altitude sun is intense
Skill level
Intermediate and above
Intermediate skiers or snowboarders able to turn and ride powder. No expert level required — appropriate gear and fitness matter more than technical ability. Unsure? Contact us and we will advise honestly.
Requirements before arrival
What we need from you
- Completed waiver and health declaration
- Cancellation insurance — mandatory
- Accident and rescue insurance — mandatory
- Minors (12+) with guardian and signed forms
Bad weather
No down days.
All packages include a Baqueira lift pass for exactly this reason. Beyond that, the Val d’Arán offers more than most resorts on their best day.
On snow
Freeride at Baqueira
Guided off-piste with a UIAGM guide. Lift pass included in all packages.
On snow
Ski touring
Touring gear provided. Route selection by guide based on conditions.
Training
Avalanche rescue
Transceiver practice, burial scenarios, snowpack reading. Genuinely useful.
Outdoor
Snowshoeing
Guided snowshoe routes in the backcountry around the valley.
Gastronomy
Mountain hut lunch
Snowmobile access to remote huts. One of the better lunches in the Pyrenees.
Culture
The Val d’Arán
Romanesque churches (Arties, Salardu), thermal baths, and the village of Vielha.
BOOK
Ready to plan your trip?
From a single day beyond Baqueira to a five-day private expedition.
- +34 655 012 393
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