Heli-Alpes
Heli-Alpes is a Swiss helicopter operator based at Sion Airport offering panoramic flights, heliskiing, helibiking, VIP charter, aerial filming, and ATO-certified pilot training across Valais and broader Switzerland.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersSion, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Heli-Alpes does
Heli-Alpes is a private helicopter transport company headquartered at Sion Airport in Valais, Switzerland, founded in 2005 by four professional pilots with operational roots dating to 1987 through the predecessor entity Groupe Hélico Sion. The company operates a diversified portfolio across seven service lines: panoramic and scenic flights, discovery/baptism flights, heliskiing, helibiking, VIP and business charter, aerial work (including heavy lifting up to 1,400 kg, network inspection, and the proprietary Daisybell mobile avalanche triggering system), aerial filming (using a proprietary Cineflex HiDEF V14 MSII gyrostabilized camera system with HD, infrared, and augmented reality capabilities), and pilot training through its ATO-certified flight school (CH.ATO.0284).
The company serves both consumer and enterprise customers through a multi-channel go-to-market approach. Consumer revenue is generated through per-seat pricing for shared flights (CHF 270/person for Saturday Matterhorn flights) and per-charter pricing for full helicopter bookings, distributed via direct online booking through the my-air-seat.com platform, hotel and tourism board referrals, and social media marketing. Enterprise and government revenue comes from VIP transport (World Economic Forum, corporate clients), event logistics (Patrouille des Glaciers, FIS Ski World Championships, Giro d'Italia), aerial cinematography for television networks, and specialized aerial work contracts. The fleet spans light training helicopters (Guimbal Cabri G2), single-engine turbines (Bell 505, AS350 B3+, H125), and a twin-engine VIP flagship (Bell 429), with access to 40 official Swiss mountain landing sites at altitudes between 1,500 and 4,200 meters.
Heli-Alpes is a privately held founder-owned company with no disclosed external investment. The legal entity is Héli-Alpes SA, operating from Aéroport Civil in Sion with a secondary presence in Ticino. Key partnerships include luxury hotel referral networks (Hotel & Spa La Vallée with private helipad, Virgin Limited Edition, Le Crans, Mirador), the Verbier Guides Bureau for mandatory mountain guide services, Air-Glaciers for rescue collaboration, and Salewa for crew uniforms. The company holds one regulatory certification (CH.ATO.0284) and has no patents or trademarks disclosed. Leadership comprises three named executives: Francis Sermier (Executive Director), Jean-Daniel Berthod (Operational Director and Chief Instructor, EPFL-trained engineer), and Jean-Marc Sermier (business support).
Heli-Alpes firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Heli-Alpes
- Legal name
- Héli-Alpes SA
- Website
- https://helialps.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Heli-Alpes is a Swiss helicopter operator based at Sion Airport offering panoramic flights, heliskiing, helibiking, VIP charter, aerial filming, and ATO-certified pilot training across Valais and broader Switzerland.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Heli-Alpes industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Helicopter Transport Services
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Helicopter Sightseeing & Scenic Tours (TLAFACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate) (TLAFACAB), Helicopter Event & VIP Transport Services (TLAFACAG), Scenic & Sightseeing Helicopter Tours (THABAGAE)
Keywords
Where Heli-Alpes is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sion
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Heli-Alpes business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Panoramic and Scenic Flights: Shared and private panoramic flights over the Swiss Alps, including the Matterhorn region. Sold per person (shared) or as full helicopter charter.
- Discovery Flights and Baptisms: Introductory helicopter flights for individuals wanting to experience flying. Priced per person or per complete helicopter.
- VIP and Business Charter: Premium helicopter transport for business and VIP clients including airport transfers, intercity travel in Switzerland and Europe, and prestige missions.
- Heliski Services: Helicopter-accessed skiing with mountain guide services, including multi-night packages with accommodation at partner hotels.
- Helibike Services: Mountain biking transport to alpine summits with guided descents, priced per person with guide included.
- Aerial Work Services: Heavy lift operations (up to 1,400kg), network inspection, avalanche prevention, aerial photography and filming services for third parties.
- Flight School Programs: Pilot training including PPL(H), CPL(H), type ratings, mountain qualifications, night flight qualifications, and HESLO transport training. Certification CH.ATO.0284.
- Film and Photography Production: Aerial filming and photography services using proprietary Cineflex system for television, commercials, documentaries, and sporting events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Saturday Flight Fever - Shared Matterhorn Flight |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Panoramic Flight Packages |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Discovery Flight - Full Helicopter |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Flight School - Cabri G2 Initiation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Flight School - Bell 505 Turbine Initiation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Giro d'Italia Transport |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Heliski Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Heliski Package - 2 Nights |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Helibike - Arolla Route |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Helibike - Zermatt Route |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Patrouille des Glaciers 2024 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fly & Ski Package |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Heli-Alpes product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Heli-Alpes is a Swiss helicopter transport operator based at Sion Airport in Valais providing panoramic scenic flights, discovery flights, heliski and helibike adventures, VIP/business charter, aerial work (heavy lift up to 1,400 kg, inspection, avalanche triggering), aerial filming with the Cineflex system, and ATO-certified helicopter pilot training. The company serves individual tourists, corporate clients, government agencies, broadcasters, and event organizers across Switzerland with a modern fleet of five helicopter models.
Product overview
HELI-ALPS is a helicopter transport company based at Sion Airport in Valais, Switzerland, founded in 2005 by 4 professional pilots. The company operates a fleet of modern high-performance helicopters (Guimbal Cabri G2, Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, Airbus AS350 B3+, Airbus H125, and Bell 429) and offers a comprehensive portfolio of services including panoramic flights, heliskiing, helibiking, aerial work/filming, VIP business transport, and flight school training. The portfolio is structured around core passenger transport services (panoramic flights, heliski, helibike, VIP/business flights) supplemented by specialized technical services (aerial work with heavy lifting and Cineflex filming capabilities) and aviation training (HELI-ALPS Flight School with CH.ATO.0284 certification). The company also operates a recurring promotional product, Saturday Flight Fever, offering weekly Matterhorn panoramic flights.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Baptêmes de l'air (Discovery Flights) Introductory helicopter flight experiences for individuals wanting to try flying. Available in 15- and 30-minute durations, priced from CHF 600 for a complete helicopter.
- Vols Panoramiques (Panoramic Flights) Customizable scenic flights over the Alps visiting destinations like Matterhorn, Weisshorn, and other major peaks. Minimum 4 persons, with tiered packages ranging from 15 to 60 minutes and pricing from CHF 150 per person.
- Héliski Helicopter-accessed off-piste skiing dropping skiers at mountain landing sites outside managed ski areas. Includes destinations such as Pigne d'Arolla, Petit Combin, and Trient Glacier, with prices starting from CHF 190 per person and 2-night packaged experiences from CHF 990 per person.
- Hélibike Mountain biking transport using helicopter with bike racks (up to 6 bikes), including guided tours such as Arolla (2,000 m altitude drop, 35 km descent, CHF 400/person) and Zermatt (2,990 m drop at Matterhorn, 48 km descent to Visp, CHF 550/person).
- Travaux Aériens (Aerial Work) Heavy-lift and positioning services up to 1,400 kg, network inspection, avalanche prevention using the Daisybell mobile hydrogen-oxygen gas detonation system, and aerial photography for utilities, government agencies, and event organizers.
- Films et Prises de Vues (Aerial Filming) Professional aerial filming and photography using the proprietary Cineflex HiDEF V14 MSII gyrostabilized camera system with HD and infrared capabilities. Services include TV broadcasts, commercials, sports events, documentaries, and law enforcement support.
- Affaires & VIP (Business and VIP Transport) Executive helicopter transport for business flights, taxi services, and VIP transportation across Switzerland and Europe. Features leather interiors, air conditioning, and soundproofing with capacity up to 7 passengers in the Bell 429.
- HELI-ALPS Flight School Helicopter pilot training school offering initiation flights, Private Pilot License PPL(H), Commercial Pilot License CPL(H), Mountain Qualification MOU(H), Night Flight NIT(H), Type Ratings, and HESLO transport flights. Based in Sion with secondary presence in Ticino.
- Saturday Flight Fever Weekly recurring shared panoramic flight to the Matterhorn every Saturday from 9:30 by appointment, 30-minute duration at CHF 270 per person. Includes passenger reception at Sion Airport and shuttle to the helicopter.
- Heliski Multi-Night Packages 2-night heliski packages from CHF 990 per person based on 4 persons, including dinner, overnight stay with breakfast, spa access, Verbier/4 Vallées ski pass, picnic, mountain guide, helicopter drop-off, taxi return, and mandatory equipment.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40 official mountain landing sites at altitudes 1,500-4,200m
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Heli-Alpes
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Heli-Alpes technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Heli-Alpes partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Patrouille des GlacierscoreAnnual logistical partner providing helicopter transport services for the exceptional ski mountaineering race. Services include transport to Rosablanche (3,000m) for spectators and support operations during the event.
- Hotel & Spa La ValléecorePartner hotel with private helicopter landing site enabling direct heliski experiences from hotel to mountain. Offers 2-night heliski packages from CHF 990/person.
- Virgin Limited Edition (The Lodge)minorLuxury hotel partner in the Verbier region, referring VIP guests requiring helicopter transport services.
- Chalet AdrienminorLuxury chalet accommodation partner in the Swiss Alps with helicopter transport referral services.
- Alpine JetminorAviation services partner operating from Swiss airports providing referral and coordination services.
- Office du Tourisme du Canton de VaudcoreGovernment tourism body for which Heli-Alpes conducted aerial filming for the official promotional film of the Canton of Vaud, produced by Swiss One Prod.
- Air-GlacierscoreSwiss helicopter rescue operator with whom Heli-Alpes was developing collaboration for hospital-to-hospital patient transfers (secondary rescue) alongside Maison FXB du Sauvetage.
- SalewaminorOutdoor equipment brand providing team uniforms for the Heli-Alps crew.
- Verbier Guides BureaucoreMountain guide services partner providing mandatory mountain guides for heliski operations. Included in heliski packages.
- Swiss One ProdminorProduction company that worked with Heli-Alpes on aerial footage for the Canton of Vaud promotional film.
- Swiss Helicopter AssociationcoreIndustry association participation including Swiss Helicopter Day open hangar events across Switzerland.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Heli-Alpes competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Swiss Helicopter AG: Largest Swiss helicopter operator with a nationwide network of bases offering scenic flights, charter, heliski, training, and aerial work — broader geographic footprint and fleet scale than Heli-Alpes but overlapping on virtually every service line.
- Heliswiss: Swiss helicopter operator historically focused on utility, rescue, and transport missions with growing commercial activities — comparable aerial-work and passenger-transport capabilities though with a different primary mission profile.
Direct peers
- HeliSky: Swiss helicopter operator providing scenic flights, heliski, and charter services in alpine regions — comparable customer profile and service portfolio, particularly for heliski and panoramic offerings.
- Air Zermatt: Zermatt-based helicopter operator providing scenic flights around the Matterhorn, heliski, VIP transport, rescue, and aerial work — same alpine tourism product set, overlapping customer pool, and comparable regulatory profile.
- Air-Glaciers: Sion-headquartered Swiss helicopter operator offering panoramic flights, heliski, VIP transport, rescue, and aerial work — directly comparable service mix and overlapping Valais customer base (and listed as an active collaboration partner of Heli-Alpes).
- HeliBernina: Graubünden-based helicopter operator focused on heliski, panoramic flights, and aerial work in the Swiss Alps — directly comparable product mix to Heli-Alpes' core heliski/scenic offering in a different but adjacent alpine region.
Emerging players
- Mountain Flyers: Swiss helicopter flight school offering PPL(H), CPL(H), and mountain qualifications — directly comparable to Heli-Alpes' ATO-certified training business and the most natural peer for benchmarking the CH.ATO training line.
Others
- Lions Air Group: Swiss aviation group covering fixed-wing and rotary services including charter and aerial work — adjacent peer that overlaps with Heli-Alpes' VIP/business transport and aerial-work capabilities from a group-operator angle.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Heli-Alpes social profiles
Digital presenceHeli-Alpes compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Heli-Alpes financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Heli-Alpes leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Heli-Alpes funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Heli-Alpes M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Heli-Alpes
What does Heli-Alpes do?
Heli-Alpes is a Swiss helicopter transport operator based at Sion Airport in Valais providing panoramic scenic flights, discovery flights, heliski and helibike adventures, VIP/business charter, aerial work (heavy lift up to 1,400 kg, inspection, avalanche triggering), aerial filming with the Cineflex system, and ATO-certified helicopter pilot training. The company serves individual tourists, corporate clients, government agencies, broadcasters, and event organizers across Switzerland with a modern fleet of five helicopter models.
Is Heli-Alpes a public or private company?
Heli-Alpes is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Heli-Alpes founded?
Heli-Alpes was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Heli-Alpes based?
Heli-Alpes is headquartered in Sion, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Heli-Alpes make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Panoramic and Scenic Flights are the primary driver. The others are discovery Flights and Baptisms, VIP and Business Charter, heliski Services, helibike Services, aerial Work Services, flight School Programs and film and Photography Production.
Who are Heli-Alpes's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Swiss Helicopter AG and Heliswiss. Direct peers are HeliSky, Air Zermatt, Air-Glaciers and HeliBernina. Mountain Flyers is listed as an emerging player. Lions Air Group is listed as an others.
Does Heli-Alpes have an API?
No public API is recorded for Heli-Alpes.
What industry is Heli-Alpes in?
Heli-Alpes's product category is Helicopter Transport Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFACAD, Helicopter Sightseeing & Scenic Tours, with a secondary code of TLAFACAB, On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate). Its NAICS code is 4812 and its SIC code is 4522.