If the value of the magnificent Air Zermatt needed any more underlining it is that on Friday 25 February, the service flew its 500th rescue of the year.
Yes, that’s 500 missions since 01 January 2022 and shows the immense benefit that Air Zermatt provides to holidaymakers to Zermatt.
Over 30 rescue missions last weekend
Last weekend alone, there were over thirty missions to help people in trouble on the mountain and at one point, there were up to five Air Zermatt helicopters in the air simultaneously.
Avalanche rescues
One person was caught in an avalanche on the Mittelgabelhorn on Saturday, falling several hundred meters down a slope. Fortunately, they were very lucky and were flown to the hospital in Visp with only minor injuries.
Crevasse rescues
Air Zermatt was also called out to two crevasse rescues this weekend.
On a snowshoe tour at Längflüe above Saas-Fee, two people accompanied by a mountain guide also fell into a crevasse. Both people were rescued and flown to the hospital in Visp.
One man walking with his wife fell about 25 meters into a crevasse on Plateau Rosa above Zermatt. Tragically, the fall was fatal, and the man died because of his injuries. Securing his body was extremely difficult for the team.
Hospital Transfers
Sometime the job is not a rescue, but about Air Zermatt’s ability to transfer injured parties, so that they can receive the right treatment as quickly as possible.
One person was so seriously injured on the piste in Albinen that they had to be flown directly to the University Hospital in Berne. On Saturday, Air Zermatt also flew a child from Visp Hospital to the Children’s Hospital in Zurich.
Leisure flights also available
Air Zermatt was founded in 1968, purely for rescue purposes. However, in more recent years, the operation has expanded to offer heli-skiing trips and sightseeing flights.
If are staying with Matterhorn Chalets, then we can book these for you through our concierge service.
For more information on accommodation in Zermatt, please contact us on +41 79 247 15 88
