Winter sports keeps helicopters busy

(c) Air Glaciers

Winter sport injuries are keeping emergency helicopter crews busy.

The rescue company Air-Glaciers carried out more than 3,100 rescue missions in 2025, averaging almost nine a day. 

The Valais-based service says winter sports accidents accounted for more than half of its operations in a year, despite the ski season lasting only a fraction of that time.

Overall, 3 quarters of call-outs involved accidents and a quarter were medical emergencies.

The company says its four alpine bases allow helicopters to reach most patients within about fifteen minutes of flight.

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