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The Top Aircraft for Flying Private This Ski Season 2026/27
The right aircraft for ski charter requests starts with where you’re looking to land. Winter conditions can complicate mountain logistics, so our charter managers will sometimes recommend a lower-altitude airport and add a ground or helicopter transfer, particularly when weather turns. From there, passenger count, luggage (skis and snowboards included) and budget narrow the shortlist.
Below, these are the aircraft we most often recommend across ski-season charter requests, whether you belong to the Courchevel crowd or the St. Moritz circle.
Best for: small groups travelling with light to moderate ski kit
At a glance
Aircraft type: Turboprop
Maximum range: up to 3 hours
Passenger capacity: 6–8 in typical executive layout
Luggage: roughly 40 cubic ft (internal baggage plus a large rear cargo door); around 5–8 standard suitcases, or several pairs of skis and boots.
Example routing: London – Sion
Flight time: 1h 45m
Estimated cost: from around €8,650 (prices vary by season and operator)
Nearby resorts: Verbier (1hr) | Zermatt (1h 10m)
Notable facts & features
Pilatus built its reputation on rugged turboprops and the PC‑12 is the archetype: reliable, efficient, and at home on short mountain runways.
Unlike most light jets, the PC‑12 is certified to operate from shorter, unpaved strips as well as main airports, which opens up closer gateways like Sion or St Moritz.
The cabin feels surprisingly roomy for a single‑engine aircraft, with club seating, good headroom, and extensive sound insulation for a quiet flight.
Best for: couples or small families travelling with minimal ski gear
At a glance:
Aircraft type: super light jet
Maximum range: up to 3.5 hours
Passenger capacity: 6–8 (typical configuration)
Luggage: 90 cubic feet (approximately 7–10 standard suitcases)
Example routing: Paris – Sion
Flight time: 1hr
Estimated cost: from €10,000 (price varies by season and operator)
Nearby resorts: Verbier (50 minutes) | Zermatt (1 hour 15 minutes)
Notable facts & features
Building from the PC‑12, the Pilatus PC‑24 is a twin‑engine jet that delivers higher speed and a significantly larger cabin, while retaining much of the PC‑12’s renowned short‑field capability.
The PC-24 is known for its STOL (short take-off and landing) capability. Most light jets are confined to long, paved runways at primary airports, however the PC-24's design allows it to access shorter, often unpaved runways instead. On a Paris–Verbier routing, for example, most jets land at Geneva or Zurich, but the PC-24 can fly directly into Sion, a closer gateway to the region's resorts that cuts ground transfer time significantly.
The cabin's large side-facing divan can convert into a bed during flight, offering the perfect respite after a week on the slopes.
Best for: families or small groups making a direct trip without the cost of a larger cabin; well suited to quick, regional hops
At a glance
Aircraft type: light jet
Maximum range: up to 4 hours
Passenger capacity: 8 (typical configuration), maximum 10
Luggage: 77 cubic feet (approximately 5 large suitcases, or 11 small soft bags)
Example routing: London – Samedan (with 3-5 passengers on board)
Flight time: 1hr35
Estimated cost: from €9,150 (price varies by season and operator)
Nearby resorts: St. Moritz (10 minutes) | Davos (1 hour)
The Phenom 300 is a comparable alternative, well suited to the same routing.
Notable facts & features
The largest and most advanced aircraft in the CJ series.
Delivers efficiency and fast cruise performance, ideal for passengers looking to reduce their travel time.
Best for: the aircraft most frequently requested for ski charters, across both regional and transcontinental routings
At a glance
Aircraft type: super mid-size
Range: up to 7 hours
Passenger capacity: 9 (typical configuration)
Luggage: 106 cubic feet (approximately 10–13 medium suitcases)
Example routings
London – Chambéry Flight time: 1hr20 Estimated cost: from €13,550 (price varies by season and operator) Nearby resorts: Courchevel (45 minutes) | Méribel (55 minutes) | Val Thorens (1 hour 10 minutes)
New York – Aspen Flight time: 4:10 Estimated cost: from €27,050 (price varies by season and operator) Nearby resorts: Snowmass Village (15 minutes)
Notable facts & features
First available to charter in 2014, the Challenger 350 is an improved variant of the Challenger 300
More baggage space than a light jet, without moving up to a heavy jet.
Range comfortably covers transcontinental legs such as New York to Colorado.
Best for: long-range transcontinental travel with a full complement of winter gear
At a glance
Aircraft type: heavy jet
Range: up to 8.5 hours
Passenger capacity: 14
Luggage: 169 cubic feet (approximately 19 standard suitcases)
Example routing: New York – Vancouver
Flight time: 5hr35
Estimated cost: from €53,600 (price varies by season and operator)
Nearby resorts: Whistler (2 hours)
Notable facts & features
Its stand-up cabin is typically configured in three living zones
Features Gulfstream's iconic large signature oval windows, maximising natural cabin lighting.
Has a large internal baggage hold easily accommodates bulky winter gear and skis
Best for: large groups or intercontinental travel, such as New York to St. Moritz
At a glance
Aircraft type: ultra-long range
Range: up to 11.5 hours
Passenger capacity: 12–16 (typical configuration)
Luggage: 140 cubic feet (approximately 14–20 suitcases)
Example routing: London – Sapporo
Flight time: 11hr
Estimated cost: from €124,100 (price varies by season and operator)
Nearby resorts: Niseko (2 hours) | Rusutsu Resort (1 hour 40 minutes)
Notable facts & features
A large-cabin business jet developed by French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, built for non-stop intercontinental range.
Engineered to maintain a lower cabin pressure altitude (6,000 ft) and low interior noise levels to reduce travel fatigue.
Comparing the Five Aircraft
Aircraft | Typical Capacity | Flight Time | Overview | Luggage Capacity | Best For |
Super Light (Pilatus PC-24) | 6–8 | Up to 3.5 hrs | STOL-capable, versatile super light jet | 90 cu ft (~7–10 suitcases) | Couples or small families, minimal gear, closest possible landing to resort |
Light Jet (Citation CJ4 / Phenom 300) | 8 (max 10) | Up to 4 hrs | Largest of the CJ series; efficient for regional hops | 77 cu ft (~5 large suitcases) | Families or small groups, direct regional routing |
Super Mid-Size (Challenger 350) | 9 | Up to 7 hrs | The most requested aircraft for ski charters | 106 cu ft (~10–13 suitcases) | Regional and transcontinental routings, larger baggage needs |
Heavy Jet (Gulfstream IV) | 14 | Up to 8.5 hrs | Long-range comfort with a large baggage hold | 169 cu ft (~19 suitcases) | Transcontinental travel, full ski equipment for groups |
Ultra-Long-Range (Dassault Falcon 7X) | 12–16 | Up to 11.5 hrs | Wide-body business jet for intercontinental legs | 140 cu ft (~14–20 suitcases) | Non-stop transcontinental travel and maximum group comfort |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring skis and snowboards on a private jet?
Yes. Ski and snowboard bags are accounted for as standard when booking a winter charter, though cabin baggage holds vary by aircraft size. Your charter manager will confirm passenger count and equipment during booking to ensure the right aircraft is selected for the group.
When is the best time to book a private jet for ski season?
For peak weeks (Christmas, New Year, February half-term) six to eight weeks ahead is a sensible minimum. Outside peak periods, two to three weeks' notice is often sufficient, and empty leg availability can bring costs down further for travellers with flexible dates.
Which aircraft is best if I'm travelling with a lot of ski equipment?
For larger groups with multiple ski and snowboard bags, a super mid-size or larger jet — a Challenger 350, Legacy 600 or Global 6000, for example — offers the baggage capacity to match.
What is de-icing and how much does it cost?
A standard pre-departure procedure in winter conditions, de-icing removes snow, ice or frost from an aircraft to ensure safe take-off. It's typically charged separately from the charter fee, ranging from roughly €200 to €2,000 plus depending on aircraft size.
How much does a private jet to Verbier cost?
Verbier is typically accessed via Sion Airport, around 50 minutes from the resort by road. On a light jet, a routing such as Paris–Sion can start at around €10,000, depending on season, operator and availability.
How much does it cost to charter a private jet for a family ski trip?
For a family of four to six with standard luggage, a light jet such as the Citation CJ4 or a super mid-size aircraft such as the Challenger 350 is the usual fit. Regional European routings such as London to Chambéry or Samedan run from roughly €9,000 to €14,000 each way. Transatlantic family trips, such as New York to Aspen, are closer to €27,000. Costs vary by season, operator, and how far in advance the aircraft is booked.
