It’s been illegal to heli-board in France since 1985 but if you know the law, there’s a few loopholes you can use. Where there’s a will, there’s a way and all that.
The main restriction is the fact it is illegal to be dropped in France, but that doesn’t mean to say you can’t be picked up there. Plenty of companies base themselves in the popular resorts such as Tignes, Val d’Isere and Chamonix and they’ll happily whisk you away across the border to Italy, Switzerland or Austria for a days riding.
There’s a few loopholes you can use. Where there’s a will, there’s a way and all that.
Alternatively, you can stick two fingers up to the French authorities, be dropped just across the border on a nearby peak and simply ride back into France. You get to heli-ski France, tick another country of the list and you won’t end up in a shitty jail cell either.
where to heli-board:
Val Heli are a UK owned heli-board company so they are going to be a great bet. The legend that is Chamonix-based James Steniford has also hooked up with them, offering a day with the company as part of his own week-long split board tour so you can sample the delights of hiking and flying all in one grand adventure.