Savoie Hélicoptères and the Airbus H125: Precision in avalanche control

In ski areas or near mountain roads, triggering avalanches helps to control the risk that comes with heavy snowfall, which can destabilise packed snow. This preventative work is mainly done by helicopter, ensuring efficiency for the teams involved.

Thorough planning

“Skiers sometimes think they are in an amusement park, but the mountains remain a dangerous natural environment,” emphasises Pierre Alexis, a ski patroller and avalanche control specialist in the Haute-Savoie region since 1987. “After heavy snowfall, it is vital to act quickly so we can anticipate risks and prevent accidents.” 

Each mission begins with a detailed briefing the day before the flight. The firing points are clearly identified, the number of explosive charges is determined and the fuses are prepared. “Dynamite has now been replaced by explosive emulsions packed in 2 kg batches,” explains Pierre Alexis. “The charge is detonated using a slow fuse connected to a detonator. Without the detonator, the explosive charge is completely harmless, which means it can be transported safely by helicopter. Even so, transporting several dozen kilos of explosives in a helicopter is never entirely without risk.” Snowfall can affect several valleys or ski areas at once, so it’s important to act quickly to get as many slopes and roads reopened as soon as possible.

Early rise

“We leave early in the morning,” Pierre Alexis explains. “There are three of us on board the helicopter: the pilot, the blaster and the blaster’s assistant. Both the blaster and the assistant are qualified to handle and use explosives. They are trained first on the ground, in a quarry, before moving up to the mountains.” An area scheduled for blasting is, of course, secured; access to the area on the ground is prohibited, and the helicopter’s first task when arriving on site is to confirm that the area is clear of people. Once this initial step has been completed, blasting can begin. For Régis Teissonnière, Chief Operating Officer of Savoie Hélicoptères, blasting is “a job that requires coordination and patience; nothing is done in a hurry. As a pilot, you constantly have to think about the helicopter’s room for manoeuvre, especially when working in a valley. You also need to know how to position yourself to make the blaster’s job easier.” 

Authored on

Mon, 02/16/2026 - 13:26

Savoie Hélicoptères' Airbus H125

The fuse is lit

In the cabin, both blaster and assistant prepare their equipment and guide the pilot to the target point. The door is opened. The assistant passes the charge to the blaster; the charge has a double fuse to prevent misfires. The slow fuse is lit, and the charge is immediately thrown towards the ground. Throughout the process, the blaster keeps the pilot informed: “door open... charge lit... charge thrown...” With 2 minutes and 30 seconds left before detonation, the helicopter moves away, and the explosion is monitored from a distance. It then moves on to the next position. “With its versatility, power and reliability, the H125 has revolutionised mountain operations,” says Maxime Gaillard, a pilot with 22 years of experience. “The H125 is a very agile aircraft. It is a benchmark for aerial work, and we are totally confident in its ability to handle this mission, which, despite everything, remains very delicate. It’s so easy to fly that we can focus on the mission, which is essential when working with explosives!”

Authored on

Mon, 02/16/2026 - 13:24

Savoie Hélicoptères' Airbus H125

Savoie Hélicoptères

Savoie Hélicoptères is a family-sized company and intends to stay that way. “We only have about 15 employees, which makes it easier to work together in a friendly environment,” says Régis Teissonnière, Chief Operating Officer. With its fleet of five H125s in France (three other aircraft are used in Spain for fire fighting missions), Savoie Hélicoptères handles a range of requests for passenger transport or aerial work. The company operates from its base in Marnaz, in the Haute-Savoie region, with a secondary base in Saint Crépin.

Authored on

Mon, 02/16/2026 - 13:27

Savoie Hélicoptères' Airbus H125