Take a Birds Eye View Over the French Alps this Winter

Imagine taking off and flying over snow capped mountains full of fresh powder with two thin skis strapped to your feet. Now if you’re brave enough, look down, take in the off-piste scenery and feel that adrenaline rush – these are some of the things I experienced in my speed flying experience in the French Alps…

Speed flying may be new for many although it has gathered popularity in Europe over the last few years since its humble origins in France. It began when paragliding pilots started taking old sky diving parachutes and using them to ski, launch and land in the mountains. You can find out more in the video below:

I’m not the kind of person who will usually shy away from trying something new, especially if that ‘something new’ involves ski holidays. But when I was offered the chance to try my hand at speed flying in Les Arcs last January, I was somewhat apprehensive.

Since early childhood, I have been on numerous ski holidays to France so I’m always on the look out to seek out new thrills. I had seen speed flying before on the ‘Top Gear’ TV programme when Richard Hammond raced an Audi from the Arc 1950 ski resort down the valley against two professional speed flyers and guess what? The speed flyers won!

The concept is relatively simple – you ski down the mountain attached to a mini parachute which picks you up and sails you over the slopes, only hovering a few inches above the ground, allowing you to skim over obstacles and flying you down at lighting speed – hence the name!

Quite content watching the Columbia speed flying pro competition annually hosted in Les Arcs, I was whisked away to have a go myself. Ceremoniously hoisted up to an instructor and a parachute, I was promptly pushed down the off-piste basin which overlooks Arc 1950. Our skis were pointed straight down and off we flew… What a ride! We would be heading straight for a protruding rock and with a slight jerk of the ‘reins’ (didn’t catch the technical term!) we took off and effortlessly glided straight over with a smooth touch down on the other side. I even had my own go at making turns on the ‘safer’ part of the slope and while it looked effortless and smooth, I honestly think my biceps were introduced to a whole new level of pain!

We were all too quickly at the bottom of the mountain and I had to quickly step aside for the professionals to go back to showing me how it was done. I will definitely be back next year to practise my new-found skills. There are a good selection of French resorts offer this high adrenaline activity so I would encourage anyone to give it a go on their next trip to the snow.

Race you there!

Sappho Barkla, Erna Low Ski Holidays