Heliskiing on the Arlberg extended until 2027
Alexander Kunert
1 March 2025
Heliskiing on the Arlberg has been extended until 2027 by decision of the provincial government.
In Austria, two professional groups are authorised to lead commercial ski tours. The first professional group are State-certified mountain and ski guides. The second group are snow sports instructors and only those who have the State certified ski instructor and ski guide training have completed.
Snow sports instructors are also comprehensively trained in alpine sports as part of their training. Ski instructor candidatesThe first level of training receives safety training, but may only teach in the organised ski area.
National ski instructor complete a seven-day alpine course and are then authorised to guide on ski routes and variants in the vicinity of pistes and lifts. However, regional ski instructors are not authorised to ascend.
Ski instructor undergo a further week of alpine training and deepen their knowledge of alpine safety. The scope of authorisation does not yet change compared to the state ski instructor. After passing the aptitude test, qualified ski instructors can then start the ski guide training programme.
The training for Ski guide lasts around 24 days. This is where training in alpine safety is perfected. In addition to theoretical parts, ski guides receive practical training in ski touring and ski mountaineering, orienteering, practical snow and avalanche awareness and mountain rescue exercises. Ski guides are authorised to lead and accompany people on ski tours and descents in open ski areas. The field of application ranges from classic ski tours to ski mountaineering in glaciated areas and ski mountaineering with alpine difficulty levels. More information about the Ski guide training is available here.
Of course, the insurance aspect does not only apply to mountain guides. State-certified ski instructors and ski guides are ONLY allowed to guide commercially as part of a ski school or with a valid licence. Why is this the case? When registering a ski school (including a "one-man ski school") or applying for a licence, ski guides must also provide proof of insurance.
The professional liability insurance covers 7 million euros. If an accident occurs despite careful planning and safety measures and consequential damage occurs, both the guests and the guide are covered. Illegal guides do not have this insurance!
"Illegal drivers are not just a safety risk. Without professional indemnity insurance, those affected are often left empty-handed after an accident with consequential damage!"
Together with the Austrian Alpine Club Association, the Federal Sports Academy Innsbruck organises a training course for Instructors for ski mountaineering tours by. Instructors for ski mountaineering tours are authorised to lead members of alpine clubs on ski mountaineering tours (climbing glaciers and short summit ascents on rock). The training is only open to people who work in clubs, schools or other non-profit organisations. honorary work. These persons are not authorised to guide for commercial purposes. The training to become a ski mountaineering instructor lasts 12 days.
In addition to the people mentioned above, there is another group that is authorised to lead ski tours. In Austria, both the army and the police train their own mountain guides. Police and army mountain guide fulfil tasks that have to do with the fulfilment of official duties. Police mountain guides, for example, are responsible for investigating alpine accidents. Army mountain guides are special units that are deployed in the winter mountains. However, neither police nor army mountain guides are authorised to lead commercial ski tours.
The question "Who is authorised to lead ski tours?" is of course inextricably linked to the recognition of authorised ski guides.
State-certified and authorised Mountain and ski guide must carry an identity card. They can also be recognised by the mountain guide badge of the International Mountain Guide Association. More information about Recognition of mountain and ski guides can be found here.
State-certified Certified ski instructor & ski guide must be able to identify themselves. Only if they have a valid ski school or ski instructor licence or are employed in a ski school do they have an ID card from the relevant national ski instructor association with a valid annual stamp. The licence also shows the qualification of the snow sports instructor. State-certified ski instructors & ski guides may also wear a badge.
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Heliskiing on the Arlberg has been extended until 2027 by decision of the provincial government.
Deep snow skiing - for many skiers, it's the greatest. The feeling of weightlessness and freedom when the skis glide through fluffy deep snow is indescribable. It's no wonder that numerous deep snow fans make a pilgrimage to the mountains year after year to indulge their passion. Always in search of the perfect powder.
The question of "Who is authorised to guide ski tours?" is a concern for many recreational athletes. Anyone who joins a guided ski tour relies on the competence, qualifications and authorisation of the guide. Last but not least, your own safety depends on the decisions and guiding tactics of the ski tour guide.