SPEEDRIDING in FRANCE
Forget what you think you know about speedriding and experience the ultimate freedom sport!
Speedriding, sometimes called speed flying, involves a mini paragliding canopy, a pair of skis, a feeling of extreme freedom and the opportunity to experience a real adrenaline rush within your first few sessions… and it’s surprisingly safe!
You don’t need to be an experienced paragliding pilot. It’s far better that you’re confident on skis. You lay the wing behind you and as you set off down the slope, you bring it up over your head. As you pick up speed you’ll feel your skis leave the ground. Pure exhilaration! A light pull on the left or right brake handle to steer.
If you’re just starting out or even if you’re expert looking for extreme terrain, Les Arcs is a fantastic resort for Speedriding. Testament to this is the fact that, François Bon, one of France’s most famous Speedriders and one of the paragliding pilots who invented the sport in 2003, lives and rides in Les Arcs.
Speedriding lessons
For instruction, you’ll find Speedriding School, one of France’s longest established speed riding schools, based in Arc 2000. They run lessons to introduce you to the sport right through to courses to get you certified and completely self-sufficient. To get into speed riding you need to be over 14 years old and a good skier (French level III, or at ease on red runs in any conditions).
Designated speed-riding slopes and classes started springing up in the Alps nearly ten years ago and since then thousands of people have been certified as bona fide speed-riders by the French Paragliding Federation. The sport has spread worldwide and has aficionados in America, Japan, Scandinavia and New Zealand, although François Bon insists the home of speedriding is on the slopes of Les Arcs in the French Alps, where it was first conceived.
WATCH THIS: SPEEDRIDING FROM THE SUMMIT OF MONT BLANC
Alexandre Darrioulat treats us to a POV view of his descent from the summit of the mighty Mont Blanc in the French Alps.
Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your speedriding trip to France, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this page. Bonnes vacances!
