Air Zermatt’s teamwork is put to the test when a skier falls into the darkness of a 30m glacial crevasse. In a race against time, the team must pull him out from the depths before the ice shifts and encases him in a frozen tomb.
The Matterhorn and its surrounding mountains can be treacherous, especially during wintertime; but for Air Zermatt, it's home. As rescue veterans, they’ve had to learn how to put their emotions aside and get the job done.
During a rescue, lead pilot Sam senses something wrong with the helicopter and must decide whether to land or forge onward. Then, a life-or-death situation in the Air Zermatt hangar tests the skill of an entire team of rescue medics.
During the peak winter season, adrenaline seekers from around the world descend upon the Swiss Valais Alps. This creates a relentless cycle for the rescue crews of Air Zermatt as they field up to 25 rescues a day, often without any breaks.
Over the past several decades, Air Zermatt has revolutionized mountain rescue. Technology has come a long way since the original Lama helicopter, and Air Zermatt has long been at the forefront making rescues safer and more efficient.
The only thing powerful enough to bring the Air Zermatt team to their knees is the weather. When a major storm hits, Gerold is forced to shut down operations, and an isolated hiker must find a way to make the most out of a dire situation.
Switzerland’s mountain town is captured in an intimate moving portrait that showcases its beauty and charm. Watch as the Matterhorn’s clouds swirl, the people mill about in daily life, and Air Zermatt prepares for another day of saving lives.
The camera crew is forced to get creative after their card reader literally melts while processing footage. The pressure of reading 30 cards a day and sorting through over two terabytes of data can make even the sturdiest device buckle.
In the heat of the moment during an intense rescue, GoPro cameras capture the footage cameramen cannot. The team utilizes 11 rigged GoPro devices to capture sensational footage while taking care not to hamper the rescue in progress.
The camera crew shares their best practices for filming timelapse videos in subzero temperatures. Cold weather can drastically reduce the battery life and functionality of any camera, but these simple workarounds instantly boost performance.
Most dangerous situations don’t require professional help, but venturing off into the wilderness with just a GPS simply won’t cut it. Mountaineer Simon presents a list of vital tools every adventurer should have in their arsenal.
Robert “Robbie” Andenmatten is a fifth-generation mountaineer whose father climbed the Matterhorn over 850 times. An elite search and rescue pilot, his passion for flight is perfectly matched with his desire to protect the lives of others.
Air Zermatt is the world’s best aerial search and rescue team, made up of people dedicated to saving the lives of those who take on the Matterhorn. Follow them as they brave the perils of the Swiss mountain, bringing aid to those who need it most.
The worlds of racing and rescue piloting intersect as Formula One driver Mark Webber receives a flying lesson from Air Zermatt. In many ways, the two disciplines are cut from the same cloth — every second matters and unshakeable concentration is key.
Gerold Biner plays the dual role of fearless pilot and energetic CEO for Air Zermatt’s rescue team. He shares the humorous story of how he succeeded the previous leader of this band of heroes, something he never thought he'd be doing.
Photography directors Scott and Henry talk about what it's like to film from two of Air Zermatt’s premier lifesaving aircraft, the Bell 429 and the EC135, with a breakdown of each helicopter’s flight specifications and a view of both interiors.
Patrick Wenger was inspired to save lives after witnessing his brother’s near-death experience. Naturally, he joined Air Zermatt and has developed into a rescue paramedic with skills to succeed in even the most extreme rescues.
After spending time as a lumberjack, Dominik Imhof found his true calling working flight assist at Air Zermatt. He gets no greater joy than from helping people in need, all while learning something new every single day.
Chief pilot and flight ops manager Samuel Summermatter has spent more than a decade saving countless lives with Air Zermatt. He talks about the moment that inspired him to take up search and rescue and the feeling he gets when flying an aircraft.
Stay afoot on a crevasse-filled glacier with these essential pieces of snow gear. Prevention is better than cure, and these tools were designed with that mantra in mind.
When caught in an avalanche, having these items in tow can make all of the difference in the world. Mountaineer Simon touches on his top three avalanche accessories: The avalanche beacon, a probe to consider snow depth, and a shovel.
Timelapse photographer Andrew takes his craft to the next level by rigging up a 3-axis motion control setup. With it he can capture every angle of the Matterhorn’s beauty, panning and tilting through its sunset and night-to-day transitions.
