The use of drones and robotics offers a revealing glimpse into what the future holds for mountain rescue operations. In France, drones now play a key role in leading search and rescue missions, preventing risks and even keeping a watchful eye on critical infrastructure. In the Pyrenees and especially in the Cirque de Gavarnie area, this new approach is revolutionising work for mountain rescue teams, law enforcement officers and public services.

An increasingly professional technology

The advent of professional drones has radically changed the face of search and rescue operations in France. Ski resorts, local authorities, ski lift operators and equipment manufacturers have been witness to just how fast the technology is gaining traction. They now use whole squadrons of drones, especially the models produced by DJI and the powerful DJI Matrice series, which are capable of operating during the day and at night, in extremely cold temperatures and at high altitudes without any loss of performance. With their thermal optical zoom cameras, these stabilised models are essential for ensuring effective search operations and enabling rescue teams to pinpoint and zero in on individuals with greater speed, even in the hardest-to-reach areas.

One of the pioneers in this new application for drones in mountain environments, and an expert in developing aerial robotics for the emergency services, advises that: “Without drones, some search and rescue operations would take several hours.” Whether climbers in difficulty, avalanche victims or lost hikers, every minute counts, especially at night. The success of a rescue mission often hinges on the ability to scan areas at speed and locate individuals with millimetre precision.

The “Drone Village” at the Mountain Planet show

©Mountain Planet

During its last edition in 2024, the Mountain Planet show created the “Drone Village”, which not only represented a milestone in incorporating aerial technologies but also shone the spotlight on the incredible versatility and potential that drones can bring to a wide range of fields, including search and rescue, entertainment, and environmental protection. I-Tech, Artech’Drone, Instadrone, Allumee and Air Courtage were just some of the leading companies attending the show.

Are you interested in visiting or exhibiting at the new edition of the Mountain Planet show, which is due to be held in France from 21 to 23 April 2026? Then follow the links!

check out the highlights of the 2024 show

The iconic case of Gavarnie in the Pyrenees

The Gavarnie area in the Pyrenees is a standout example of how technology can be harnessed to track down victims. The rugged landscape of the Cirque de Gavarnie, with its gargantuan cliffs and intricately winding trails, is the ideal venue for illustrating the advantages of a professional drone.

The innovative technologies and investments pouring into the development of professional drones bear testament to the growing importance of ramping up rescue capabilities in response to the ever higher number of visitors flocking to the area during the summer months. This means that police and mountain rescue teams in the Pyrenees or Alps now have access to drones that are capable of monitoring cliff faces, supporting rescue missions, and mapping vulnerable areas threatened by erosion or rockfalls. According to the teams, these solutions drastically reduce search times, especially during challenging conditions, such as trying to spot missing hikers in the middle of the night.

Varied missions far beyond the confines of search and rescue operations

Drones may play a game-changing role during search and rescue missions, but they are capable of doing so much more. Ski resorts and tourist information offices also use them to:

• Keep a close eye on the condition of the pistes and ski lifts
• Assess the damage caused by wildfires
• Analyse avalanche risks
• Monitor the behaviour of the local wildlife
• Take images for communication campaigns aimed at promoting the local area

Thermal drones are also entering widespread use for preventing the risks associated with global warming. The upsurge in extreme events that have been seen in France and also in Ukraine – another country that has widely contributed to the professional use of drones, albeit for a completely different reason – is inspiring French resorts as they endeavour to adapt their practices.

Training: essential for obtaining best results

Solid training is required when it comes to incorporating these technologies. Operators need to be familiar with aviation rules, risk management, best flight practices and equipment limitations. Meanwhile, manufacturers are actively working to develop cold-resistant devices that can offer the same flight time at high altitudes and stream stable images at night and in harsh conditions.

Mountain industry professionals are now teaming up with manufacturers like DJI to design solutions geared towards their specific environment, such as increasing payloads, strengthening drone bodies, extending flight times and embedding anti-icing systems. These developments usher in new innovation prospects for all companies involved in producing equipment for ski resorts.

A future where robotics and the mountains go hand in hand

©Mountain Planet

In the future, ski resorts could integrate land robots with the ability to explore hazardous areas, assist rescue teams, and carry equipment to isolated mountain huts. In the search and rescue sector, prototypes have already shown that drones can be embedded with thermal sensors and AI to automatically detect human signals and signs of climbers in distress.

Mountain communities, manufacturers and field professionals see this new revolutionary technology as a golden opportunity, since it can easily be put into action while costing far less than using a helicopter. Improving safety in the mountains has long been considered a challenge, but that situation is changing as a new era unfolds where robotic solutions are becoming major allies.