Speed Riding – What's that all about then???
With the Nissan Outdoor Games in full swing in Chamonix, now seems like an appropriate time to elaborate on one of the sporting disciplines – Speed Riding. What on earth is that??
The idea behind the sport is to combine the sensations of skiing and paragliding into one activity, and then descend off-piste sections of the mountain using a mini-wing, similar to a paraglider, to bypass rocky ridges and forests. The aim is not to fly, but to ski faster, as the aerodynamic design of the wing helps to lighten the skier, enabling you to access areas that you might not normally go. When the skier encounters an obstacle, the wing will lift you into the air and you'll glide over it, meaning you have a very useful get-out card for crusty snow or rocky patches.
Sounds great! But is it just a sport for the elite? According to Sandie Cochepain, former world paragliding champion and instructor with Les Ailes du Mont Blanc flying school, not at all! “It is much more accessible than paragliding for the wings allow you to get airborne more easily and there are fewer basics of aerology to master. Within a few hours you can be having fun with this sport compared to 3 days of instruction with paragliding. All that is required is a level of skiing where the skier is comfortable on all types of snow.” Sadly, that means this is not a sport for us knuckle dragging snowboarders, as the lateral position does not suit the activity.
If you fancy trying it yourself, then Les Ailes du Mont Blanc flying school, based in Chamonix, is one of only 5 or 6 flying schools in France that teach the activity. They offer a day speed riding tuition for all levels; an introduction for beginners, or accompaniment on the superb off-piste areas of the valley for those who are already familiar with the sport. Chamonix is fortunate to be equipped with slopes suitable for beginners, (IE/ not too steep, without obstacles, and the ability for a speedy turnaround) which is rare. Due to the risk of collision with other skiers, speed riding is strictly forbidden on the slopes themselves; however, the off-piste alongside the chalets des Balmes drag lift in Le Tour, is the perfect location to get to grips with your wing, without wreaking havoc!
If you get a taste for speed riding from the footage you see during the Outdoor Games, then a day's speed riding tuition with Les Ailes only costs €95 and you can contact them via the links below. This might be just the incentive I need to revert back to skiing.....I
Source: Alpes Ski News
Photo credit: Les Ailes du Mont Blanc
