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A private plane at the Sion Airport, Switzerland.
A private plane at the Sion Airport, Switzerland. (Photo: Nils Pelka/Wikimedia)

This Airline Is for Skiers Only

A new European carrier takes you to the heart of the Alps. Skis fly free.

Published: 
A private plane at the Sion Airport, Switzerland.
(Photo: Nils Pelka/Wikimedia)

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File this under: Another reason to be jealous of Europeans.

Starting in December, the continent will be home to the world鈥檚 only exclusive ski airline. 聽(get it?)聽will operate flights from across western Europe to Sion, a tiny town in the heart of the Swiss Alps. From there, it鈥檚 just 45 minutes to some of the most famous slopes in the world, including Verbier and Zermatt. Plus, the airline flies bulky ski bags free of charge.聽

鈥淭his is a dedicated skier鈥檚 airline,鈥 says Rob Stewart, a PowdAir spokesman. 鈥淓veryone involved are all keen skiers鈥攖hey鈥檙e all enthusiasts who know the area and have passion.鈥

Switzerland already has plenty of infrastructure to support the who flood its border each winter. 聽too, and for about $150, you can buy a that鈥檒l take you from any of the country鈥檚 airports directly to any ski resort and back. Trains are Swiss-watch punctual and come with plenty of ski racks for your gear, but the trek from Zurich or Geneva (where most flights arrive) to the Matterhorn still takes over three hours.

PowdAir will fly from smaller airports鈥攊ncluding London鈥檚 Luton, Hamburg, Edinburgh, and Antwerp鈥攄irectly to Sion Airport, a small airfield that鈥檚 provided runways for the Swiss Air Force for years, but is going full civilian after 2017. Sion, which sits at about 1,500 feet above sea level, is just 25 minutes from the closest resorts, Nendaz and . Flights will cost around $179 each way and Stewart says PowdAir won鈥檛 jack up the prices during peak season. Tickets go on sale June 6 and flights start on December 14.聽

Sadly, PowdAir has no plans to expand to North America. 听飞颈迟丑 聽hungry for passengers, have seen increased flight traffic in recent years鈥攂ut you鈥檇 be lucky to find an airline that lets ski bags fly free these days.聽Smells like a business opportunity to us.

Lead Photo: Nils Pelka/Wikimedia

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