You
can go snowkiting in the Pyrenees
(
Pirenčus,
Pyrénées).
You just get on a snowboard and hang on to a small parachute.
Just
kidding. It's a bit more difficult than this.
Snowkiting is an outdoor
winter boardsport. It combines the airfoil techniques of kitesurfing with snowboarding.
Snowkiting differs from most other alpine sports, in that it is possible for a
snowkiter to travel uphill with ease - if the wind is blowing in the right direction.
Like kitesurfing, snowkiting can be hazardous, and needs to be practiced with
care. Snowkiting is becoming increasingly popular in places often associated with
skiing and snowboarding, including the Pyrenees.
Snowboard, alpine skis or Telemark skis can be used for snowkiting. Foil
kites were originally the most common type; now kitesurfers use water gear for
snowkiting, and it is not uncommon to see tubekites.
We're
aware of only one Snowkite school based near to Font Romeu in the Pyrenees,
close to the Spanish and Andorran borders, at the centre of the Cerdan plain.
The location benefits from a variety of Winds.
The school is based in the Ailipse shop which specialises in sales and repairs
of flight materials (parapents, kites, etc) and sales of skis, boots and snowboards.
The school is registered with EFK (Ecole Français de Kite) and uses the
most up-to-date Snowkite equipment. All instructors are fully qualified in their
various fields and registered with FFVL (Federation Français Vol Libre).
They use a number of Snowkiting locations in the region (9 in total) at different
altitudes and of different orientations maximising the opportunities for ideal
wind and snow conditions.
Snowkite packages include transfers from Perpignan
airport, bed, breakfast, evening meal with wine and transport to/from snowkite
sites each day, snowkite tuition/practice with qualified instructors. Kites, harness,
helmets included. Bring or hire your own skis or snowbaords. Packages start at
4 night break. Longer stays available. Other activities include parapent, buggy
and mountainboarding.
For more information contact Chalet Isard (+33 (0)4
68 04 18 79 English spoken) or visit the website C
Kite 
Back
to: Water Sports. 
