Pilot lands his plane at one of the most dangerous airports in the world… on the edge of a ski slope
- Courchevel Altiport is one of the world’s most dangerous airports
- The short runway is on a steep gradient
- But one pilot has attempted it and filmed his attempt too
Published on Mar 10, 2025 at 2:41 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Mar 10, 2025 at 11:16 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A flight enthusiast landed a Cirrus SR22 plane at Courchevel Altiport – one of the most dangerous airports in the world thanks to its steep 18.6 percent gradient.
The airport serves a ski resort in the French Alps, and as well as being steep, its runway is also a teeny tiny 537 metres (1,762 ft) long.
The Courchevel Altiport operates a no go-around procedure due to its mountainous surroundings.
Here’s what happened when one brave pilot from Switzerland gave it a go.
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The Courchevel Altiport is located in the French Alps
An altiport is the name given to an aerodrome for small airplanes and helicopters, situated on – or inside – mountainous terrain.
Which is certainly the case for Courchevel Altiport.
The altiport opened up back in 1962 and is mostly used by smaller aircraft, like Cessna planes and helicopters.
The runway is situated on a steep, sloping gradient in the French Alps, and is also much smaller than most runways.
And if all that isn’t a big enough challenge, it has no instrument approach procedure or lighting aids, which means landing in foggy conditions is exceptionally dangerous.
Nonetheless, the team behind the Prop Clear YouTube channel wanted to check it out for themselves and headed out to Courchevel Altiport in a Cirrus SR22.
Landing a plane at the airport takes a lot of skill
Mountain instructor Martin Gautschi told the guys from Prop Clear some of the challenges pilots often faced when landing at the altiport.
“It’s a quite demanding airport,” he said.
“You need an introduction and you really have to get used to this special view.
“If you approach a runway at 6,500 feet – I mean almost 2000 meters above sea level – [it compromizes] your performance and the view.”
Fortunately, the team had plenty of experience when it came to flying and landing planes and, with the help of Martin, was able to bring the Cirrus SR22 in for a textbook landing.
With the landing in the bag, the team decided to have a go at the equally nail biting takeoff.
As they made their way along the steep runway in the Cirrus SR22, they said it felt like being on a ‘rollercoaster’ as the plane attempted to take to the skies.
Thankfully, the takeoff also went without a hitch, but it’s one of those things you have to see to really understand.
“What a great feeling,” they said as the plane soared above the Alps.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
