The Alpine Hangar: ski sets and their winter jets

Mountain landings are not for the faint-hearted. Short runways, unpredictable turbulence, and sheer drops, often through cloud cover, are both thrilling and nerve racking in equal measure. There's always that gamble whether you’ll make it to one of these small Alpine air strips, or suffer a diversion to a larger airport such as Geneva or Zurich, due to weather conditions. Like carving down a glistening piste after a fresh dump, or summiting a peak as the sun rises, the right aircraft transforms calculated risk into satisfying pleasure. Whether you’re descending into Sion between snow-capped peaks or banking through narrow valleys into Bolzano, some planes were made for an Alpine descent. These are five aircraft that will get you to your high-altitude destination with ease, whether you belong to the Courchevel crowd or the Saint Moritz circle.

Switzerland’s own, the PC-12 is as capable as it is understated. Designed and built in Stans, it’s the aircraft of choice for many experienced Alpine pilots. Its single-engine turboprop is ideal for steep approaches and short runways. A masterclass in high-altitude engineering, its Pratt & Whitney PT6E-67XP engine is optimised for hot-and-high conditions, and it needs less than 800 metres to land, which is essential when Sion’s 2,000 metre runway sits in a narrow valley hemmed in by towering peaks on either side. Autothrottle, advanced avionics and tough landing gear make winter operations feel reassuringly Swiss.

Nearby resorts: Verbier (45 mins) | Crans-Montana (40 mins) | Zermatt (1 hr 15 mins via Täsch)

Cruise speed: 290 knots | Range: 1,800 nm | Capacity: 6–8 passengers | Runway requirement: 2,600 ft

The King Air is a legend of mountain flying. Dependable, muscular, and remarkably composed in turbulence, it’s perfect for Innsbruck’s famed valley approach, where pilots have to navigate cliffs, church steeples and ever changing wind direction. Inside, a pressurised, low-vibration cabin makes it a favourite among families and corporates. Its PT6A-52 engines offer strong climb performance at around 2,400 feet per minute, ideal for Innsbruck’s curved approach and steep departures. With reverse thrust for short-runway braking and crosswind handling, the King Air 260 feels purpose-built for Alpine situations.

Transfer times: Kitzbühel (1 hr 15 mins) | St. Anton (1 hr 10 mins) | Ischgl (1 hr 45 mins)

Cruise speed: 310 knots | Range: 1,720 nm | Capacity: 6–7 passengers | Runway requirement: 3,300 ft

When touch downs are tight, the CJ4 delivers private-jet comfort with light-aircraft agility. Its efficient engines and excellent field performance make it well suited to Chambéry, the gateway to the French Alps. It’s ideal for Courchevel or Méribel, with plenty of space for extra kit. Textron has introduced the Garmin G3000 PRIME cockpit, giving pilots an intuitive view of the terrain below, a welcome safety feature when heading for the slopes.

Nearby resorts: Courchevel (1 hr 25 mins) | Méribel (1 hr 20 mins) | Val d’Isère (2 hrs 15 mins)

Cruise speed: 451 knots | Range: 2,165 nm | Capacity: 6–9 passengers | Runway requirement: 4,000 ft

Tucked into a steep valley, Bolzano requires accuracy and composure — hallmarks of the Phenom 300E. Marketed as the fastest single-pilot jet in production, it feels entirely at home among the Dolomites. With a cabin finished like an Italian atelier and handling sharp enough for mountain airspace, it’s a symbiotic match for the understated glamour of the Italian Alps.

Nearby resorts: Selva di Val Gardena (1 hr) | Cortina d’Ampezzo (2 hrs 15 mins) | Madonna di Campiglio (2 hrs 30 mins)

Cruise speed: 464 knots | Range: 2,010 nm | Capacity: 7–9 passengers | Runway requirement: 3,500 ft (operational)

Sitting at 5,600 feet above sea level, Engadin is one of Europe’s most demanding airports, and the Dassault Falcon 2000LXS was made for it. With short-field capability and intercontinental range, it handles thin mountain air with serene stability. Inside, the hush of its wide cabin feels almost surreal after touchdown. Quiet, composed and effortlessly elegant, it’s as Saint Moritz as cashmere and caviar.

Nearby resorts: Saint Moritz (10 mins) | Klosters (1 hr 45 mins) | Davos (1 hr 30 mins)

Cruise speed: 479 knots | Range: 4,000 nm | Capacity: 8–10 passengers | Runway requirement: 4,675 ft

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