The Specialists in Swiss Ski
and Snowboard Holidays

Snowmotions 06/07 Heliboard Review

The winter season had been so lacking in snow that we doubted we would even get a trip in but then late in March a North Westerly brought us four days of snowfall.

Having travelled to The Berner Oberland in past years this was to be the first flight with our new partners Air Grischa here in Graubuenden and our first use of Mountain guide Paul from Alpventura.

We awoke to a clear, crisp, cloudless Spring day & drove over to Tavanasa in the upper reaches of The Vorder Rhine Valley where Air Grischas Oberland Heli base is located.

After a safety briefing & Paul showing us the planned routes take off was just after 8am.

Claudio and Paul eye up the first decent

Low cloud covered the Northern Glaner valleys while Graubuenden glistened in the sun to the South & East.

Ricco - style approach....

Ricco - the playground awaits....

Heading North East the gradient gradually steepened to reveal a wide couloir high above the cloud base in Linthal.
First lines in knee high, cold powder on a 30 degree hang before 9am…ideal !

As we descended, the snow naturally got heavier but we were saved by the cloud bank.

Just above the grey layer of cloud we were passed by a character ascending  on snow shoes walking his dog !

Normally the tour would continue down to Linthal & Tierfed  where the helicopter would meet us, but as the cloud base was at 1000m & preventing the helicopter collecting us below it, the chopper came in through the top of the swirling mists to meet us.

Chopper pickup rendez-vous

Up up and away...

A swift hike to the top of the peak & a long powder field led us to the start of the South facing Russein Valley.
A steep entry followed by a long, “cruisy” ride out of the valley surrounded by high peaks on both sides brought us down to the end of the snow line. Boards off & a fairly long walk down to the main Disentis road. But that’s what happens when you do a South hang in Spring !

High above but only minutes away...

Paul, a local from the Disentis/Sedrun region is a must for any future Snowmotions guiding.
Relaxed, safe & knows the area inside out. With guiding for “Warren Millers Movies” on his resume we felt we were following an experts tracks & would recommend Alpventura to anyone needing an experienced guide.

The Cost of the days adventure is only CHF410- for the two flights or just CHF290- for the first flight.
The cost includes the mountain guide & a return taxi from the end of the Val Russein run but not Avalanche rescue equipment/beeper that is available for rent separately if guests don’t have their own. Or return transport from Linthal if only doing the first flight descent. Prices are per person based on a group of 4 sharing. Snowmotions is currently taking bookings for 08 Heli trips & skiers are as welcome as snowboarders ! A competent level of “Off Piste” experience is required but with a couple of weeks under your skis or board you should be ready for Heli action.
Email info@snowmotions.com for details.

Our thanks to Paul from www.alpventura.ch & www.airgrischa.ch

JRS May 07