Rising to a height of 3,796 metres, the Pigne d’Arolla is the highest drop-off point around Verbier. 

It is the favourite mountain of heli-ski purists and snowboarders as most of the runs are on a steady gradient and all converge upon the Arolla heliport, making several drop-offs a day possible.  This is why the Arolla area is often called Switzerland’s “Little Canada”.  

Combining the Pigne d’Arolla with a second drop-off on the Rosablanche returning by ski to the slopes of the 4 Vallées is a great option from Verbier. 

The northern slopes of the Pigne d’Arolla overlook the Val d’Hérens and the village of Arolla, the southern descend gently down to the Val de Bagnes via the Brenay Glacier whilst the north-eastern slopes plunge into the famous Grande Dixence Lake. 

The classic itinerary takes you down to the Vignettes refuge and onto the Pièces Glacier. The Alpine scenery of the Tsijiore Nouve is majestic and unreal. 
The famous north face of the mountain, which can be admired longingly from Arolla, is an “extreme run” with some sections steeper than 50 degrees. This was skied for the first time in 1974 by André Anzévui and in 1998 Gilbert Crettaz was the first to snowboard down. Skinning options via the Col de l’Evêque and the Col des Ignes are perfect for those who like their touring. 

The presence of a mountain guide is compulsory for heli-skiing.