Italian businessman Giorgio Bortolo Oliva was fined €2,000 after landing a helicopter off-piste without permission at Italy’s Madonna di Campiglio resort on Thursday, April 10.
The Times reports that carabinieri officers on routine piste patrol at the Trentino resort watched as the helicopter flew up and landed on the mountain at around 7,874 feet (2,400 meters). They then watched as Oliva stepped out of the aircraft and put on his ski boots.
The 65-year-old president of a large iron and steel firm provided a valid flying license and insurance policy but lacked the special permission required to land. In the Autonomous Province of Trento, helicopter pilots are required to have special authorization in order to land about 1,600 meters.
He reportedly told officers that he flew the helicopter up the mountain to save time during a busy work period. He was fined €2,000 before taking off shortly after.
Madonna di Campiglio is open until April 27. Three areas, Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo and Folgarida-Marilleva, combine to make up 97 miles of interconnected trails. Today 7 of 62 chairlifts are open at 16 of 109 trails.
