Snowkiting

The 1980s saw the birth of a new water sport, kite surfing, in which surfers used a kite to whisk them across the surface of the water. This sport was adapted for snow by replacing the surfboard with a snowboard, thereby creating snowkiting.

In snowkiting, riders or skiers use a kite to harness the power of the wind to pull them up or across off-piste slopes.

This new activity was rapidly embraced by freeriders, who revel in the excitement and freedom it provides.

Savoie and Haute-Savoie's snowkiting clubs (certified by the French Free-Flight Federation) will help you enjoy snowkiting in complete safety.

The first snowkiting school in Savoie Mont Blanc was set up at La Rosière.
At the end of a snowkiting course (traction, beginners, exhilaration, performance), each rider is awarded a Pass'Kite card showing his or her level of ability.

Equipment and recommendations

The equipment consists of skis or a snowboard, a traction kite, lines, a control bar, a harness for attaching yourself to the kite, a helmet and an avalanche transceiver.

At all times, snowkiters must:

• Follow the safety rules governing snowkiting areas,
• Ride away from the pistes in specific snowkiting areas that are free from obstacles (trees, rocks, pylons, buildings, helicopter landing areas),
• Avoid areas where there are natural dangers (avalanche gullies, cliffs, areas where there is a break of slope),
• Have a good knowledge of aerology in order to avoid areas of turbulence and "involuntary flights".

Some snowkiting areas in Savoie and Haute-Savoie

La Rosière: At and around the Col du Petit-St-Bernard. [+] more info - video

Le Semnoz : At the Dôme des Frêtes. [+] more info

In the Maurienne : At Aussois, Albiez - on the Aiguilles d'Arves plateau, La Toussuire, Saint-François-Longchamp, Valcenis, Valfréjus, Valloire, Valmeinier.

Vidéo :  [+] more info

And speed-riding

Speed-riding is reserved for very good skiers. Inexperienced speed riders or beginners should seek instruction from a qualified instructor.

Speed-riding is a cross between paragliding, parachuting and skiing where riders fly across the slopes, their skis barely skimming the surface of the snow.

The first speed riding school was opened in Valfréjus in the Maurienne. Other areas, such as Bourg Saint Maurice, are now developing the sport.

For safety reasons, learners are in constant communication with their instructors by radio.

Some areas in Savoie Mont Blanc now provide courses for both beginners and more experienced speed riders: Les Contamines-Montjoie and Passy in the Pays du Mont-Blanc, La Clusaz in the Massif des Aravis.

Vidéo : Speed Riding at Valfréjus

Equipment

Paragliding wing, paragliding harness, helmet, radio, earpiece, airbag-type back protection.

Useful tip: use freeride skis.

Updated in November 2008