Launch into the fresh Livigno powder! Affordable heli-skiing

Heli-skiing is the ultimate mountain buzz and now Livigno which won the World Snow Award 2012 for Best European Resort has added choppers for a limited time until 3rd March 2013.

When we thought Livigno had reached its pinnacle this most adventurous form of transport arrives in the mountains! Time is of the essence though with just a few weeks to head over for a spot of heli-skiing. Heli-skiing is limited in Europe with a complete ban in France making this a great opportunity to undertake affordable heli-skiing for budding skies, snowboarders and lovers of telemark. And, with Livigno enjoying a tax free status there are massive savings compared with other resorts on key equipment for the budding freeskier and adrenaline junkie, although avalanche transceiver, shovel and probes will be provided for the day.

Here are the top 3 highlights of heli-skiing in Livigno:

1. The stunning views and mere fact you are in a helicopter is an exceptional experience. The views around Livigno are something to behold. Taking off from near the Carosello 3000 and Mottolino refuges the helicopter will gain height offering great panoramic views over the valleys and peaks that make up this beautiful area known as Little Tibet.

2. The terrain when descending the Val del Monte and Val delle Mine peaks is bound to keep skiers fully concentrated and filled with adrenaline, even the most experienced. As skiers descend towards the village situated in the valley the open powder makes way for the equally thrilling descent through the trees. For the ultimate off piste thrill, two heli drops start from €255 per person with the Alpine guides of Livigno. The minimum group size is 8 people.

3. The leg burn, yes it may sting but it means you have really thrown yourself into it and Livigno has the Aquagranda Livigno Wellness Park to recuperate in. Heliski Livigno offers a Heliskiing tour with 2 freeride descents accompanied by professional guides, 5 day lift pass, and an apartment for 4 people, with a minimum stay of 7 nights. Prices start from 690€ per person.

Return transfers start from 90€ per person, flights are available from London Gatwick and twice weekly from Bristol and Liverpool to Innsbruck with easyjet.com from £60 return. With easily accessed flights form the UK, heli fans can choose luxury accommodation in Livigno from an incredibly wide and varied choice, including 105 hotels, 25 garni (small run hotels on B&B) and more than 1000 apartments. So when you need to relax away from the festivities, you can enjoy the modern comforts of luxury living amid the town’s beautiful and traditional architecture.

For more information on Livigno, officially the Best European Resort 2012, visit livigno.eu/en.

For a more subdued panoramic flight around the area for those less fond of the adrenalin fuelled descents. There is the option to take to the skies in a more leisurely manner for a panoramic flight around the resort and surrounding landscape starts at €75 per person based on 6 passengers.

A third option is a heli-transfer from the main airports around the resort including Innsbruck, Bergamo, Malpensa and Verona. For more information on the resort and helicopter activities, visit livigno.eu.