Group format
Light singles usually serve one compact group. Medium twins can rotate several groups through the same cabin.
Field guide · Aircraft
The helicopters of heli-skiing
Meet the mountain machines—and understand what each one changes about your ski day.
Explore the fleetEditorial concept image · generated with AI
Beyond the brochure
The aircraft is part of the experience
The helicopter determines more than how you reach the top. It shapes the group, the pace between runs, the way you load and how far an operation can range across its terrain.
This guide separates certified aircraft figures from real heli-ski configurations. Every profile is sourced, dated and written for skiers—not aircraft sales teams.
Current field guide
Nine aircraft, one clear guide
From intimate light singles to the classic large-cabin workhorses.
Small groupH125 · 407 · H130
PrivateAW119 · H125 · H130
Large cabin205 · 212 · 412
SpecialistLama · LongRanger
Twin-engineBell 212 · Bell 412
Light singleSingle engine
The mountain standard
Airbus H125
3–5 guests 136 kt
Open field guide 
Medium twinTwin engine
The classic workhorse
Bell 212
Large-group format About 100 kt
Open field guide 
Light singleSingle engine
The fast small-group alternative
Bell 407
4–5 guests 133 kt
Open field guide 
Light singleSingle engine
The premium light single
Leonardo AW119 Koala
Up to 5 guests 131 kt
Open field guide 
Medium twinTwin engine
The four-blade medium twin
Bell 412
Large-group format 123 kt
Open field guide Regional & specialist
Beyond the core fleet
Verified aircraft with a narrower footprint—from private panoramic cabins to legacy high-alpine and snow-safety roles.
Light singleSingle engine
The panoramic light single
Airbus H130
5 guests + guide 128 kt
Open field guide 
Medium singleSingle engine
The single-engine big cabin
Bell 205
Up to 10 guests + 2 guides About 100 kt
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Light singleSingle engine
The high-alpine specialist
Aérospatiale SA315B Lama
3 guests + guide 103 kt
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Light singleSingle engine
The compact support specialist
Bell 206 LongRanger
Support or compact charter 109 kt
Open field guide What changes
Three things you will notice
Daily rhythm
Cabin size, doors and loading order shape every pickup. A practiced group makes the aircraft disappear into the flow of the day.
Mountain capability
Altitude, temperature, wind, fuel and load all change performance. A model name alone never tells the whole story.
At a glance
Compare the field
Published aircraft figures are shown separately from typical ski-group formats.
| Aircraft | Class | Engines | Typical heli-ski format | Certified seating | Cruise speed | Rotor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus H125 | Light single | 1 | 3–5 guests | 1 pilot + up to 6 passengers | 136 kt / 252 km/h | 10.69 m |
| Bell 212 | Medium twin | 2 | Large-group format | Up to 14 passengers, configuration dependent | About 100 kt / 185 km/h | 14.63 m |
| Bell 407 | Light single | 1 | 4–5 guests | 1 pilot + 6 passengers | 133 kt / 246 km/h | 10.67 m |
| Leonardo AW119 Koala | Light single | 1 | Up to 5 guests | 1 pilot + up to 7 passengers (or 2 + 6) | 131 kt / 243 km/h | 10.83 m |
| Bell 412 | Medium twin | 2 | Large-group format | 1 pilot + up to 14 passengers | 123 kt / 228 km/h | 14.02 m |
| Airbus H130 | Light single | 1 | 5 guests + guide | 1 pilot + 7 passengers, or 2 + 5 | 128 kt / 237 km/h | 10.69 m |
| Bell 205 | Medium single | 1 | Up to 10 guests + 2 guides | Up to 14 passengers, configuration dependent | About 100 kt / 185 km/h | 14.63 m |
| Aérospatiale SA315B Lama | Light single | 1 | 3 guests + guide | 1 pilot + 4 passengers | 103 kt / 191 km/h | 11.02 m |
| Bell 206 LongRanger | Light single | 1 | Support or compact charter | 1 pilot + 6 passengers | 109 kt / 202 km/h | 11.28 m |
Performance values are manufacturer, authority or cited operator reference figures under stated conditions—not a promise for a particular flight. See each profile for sources and caveats.
Research library
See how the guide is verified
Explore our ranked directory of aircraft, airworthiness, heli-ski, mountain-safety and accident-investigation sources.
Good to know
Before you fly
A few distinctions make every aircraft conversation clearer.
Are the H125, AStar and Squirrel the same helicopter?
They belong to the same AS350 family. AStar is the common North American name, Squirrel is widely used in New Zealand and other English-speaking markets, and Écureuil is the French name. H125 is the current Airbus designation for the latest production evolution of the AS350 B3e. Earlier variants are related, but not technically identical.
Does the certified seat count equal the heli-ski group size?
No. The certified figure is an aircraft limit for an approved configuration. A heli-ski manifest also accounts for guides, installed seats, equipment, fuel, altitude, temperature and the operator’s procedures.
Is a twin-engine helicopter automatically safer?
Engine count is only one design characteristic. Safety depends on the aircraft, maintenance, operating rules, weather decisions, terrain, pilot experience and the exact phase of flight. This guide does not rank aircraft or operators by safety.
Where do skis and snowboards travel?
Most heli-ski operations use an external basket or rack designed for long equipment. The loading method and what may stay with a guest are set during the operator’s safety briefing.
Are all of these aircraft equally common?
No. The first collection covers today’s defining international fleet. The regional and specialist collection documents aircraft with verified heli-ski or snow-safety roles, but some are rare, legacy or mainly used for support rather than standard guest groups.
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