France has free chopper rescues from, well anywhere, no questions asked (the line between uninformed decision and negligence can be pretty blurry especially if a lot of cash&#x2F;criminal charges are floating around).<p>There are cases of inexperienced climbers (one I know from Poland) where reluctance to call chopper in critical situation due to worries of costs (plus losing the face) cost 3 young guys lives. Too many like these.<p>Chopper rescues in alps are in almost daily order (especially in winter in places like Vallee Blanche, best and longest of-piste in Europe). A friend of mine was rescued like this in Calanques next to Marseille after she broke her feet after climbing accident. Chopper was called due to inaccessible terrain, and she had a cool ride hanging from chopper by harness over Mediterranean sea.