While Switzerland is reported to be considering joining France in making heliskiing illegal, or at least initially dramatically reducing the number of spots where it's allowed, Italy is actively promoting its own heliskiing opportunities.
The Aosta Valley which runs along the French border in the West of the country is a particularly popular spot for heliskiing, allowing resorts like La rosier, across from les arcs in France to claim to be the only French resort to offer heliskiing, as skiers can take the lifts from there and ski over the border to La Thuile to board their chopper.
There are Heli-bases at Cervinia, Courmayeur, Gressoney, Valgrisenche and La Thuile giving access to untracked powder fields, great tree skiing and stunning scenery. Numerous routes are available for most ability levels. Some of the most challenging are from the "Piton des Italiens" which give access to routes from the peak of Mont Blanc. These are accessed from Courmayueur (www.heliskicourmayeur.com) with a maximum group size of four.
The heli ski season kicks off next month. In Cervinia it last from 10th January to 15th May 2011 (www.heliskicervinia.com) and in Gressoney from 15th January to 25th April 2011 (www.guidemonterosa.com). Valgrisenche offers heliskiing from 1st January to 31st March 2011 (www.heliski-valgrisenche.it).