Speed Riding
Officially Speed Riding (Ski-Paragliding Hybrid)
Winter extreme sport combining skiing + paragliding — small high-speed wing (~8-14 sqm) lets skier glide, hover, and boost over alpine terrain at high speeds. Invented ~2000 in Chamonix, France; enables descents combining ski turns + short aerial flights over cliffs + terrain.
What is Speed Riding?
Speed Riding is a winter extreme sport combining skiing + paragliding — the skier is attached to a small high-speed paragliding wing (~8-14 sqm, smaller than standard paragliders ~20-30 sqm) and descends alpine terrain by alternating between skiing on snow + short aerial glides + hovering + full-flight sections. Invented around 2000 by paragliding pioneers in Chamonix, France (particularly Antoine Girard + François Bon) as evolution of paragliding + skiing crossover. The small wing allows high forward speeds (60-100+ km/h) + tight turn radius unlike standard paragliders. Enables descents that traverse cliffs, crevasses, and impossible terrain by short flight sections. Very high-risk sport: requires strong skiing + paragliding skill + judgment. Fatality rate significantly higher than either parent sport. Practiced primarily in Alps + few dedicated locations. World Speed Riding Championships since 2010; Chamonix + La Grave (France) + Whistler (Canada) hosts primary events.
Quick facts
Category
Adventure & Extreme Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~20 min
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇫🇷 France
Estimated origin
Invented ~2000 Chamonix, France by Antoine Girard + François Bon; small commercial market via Ozone + Gin + Nova wings; World Championships since 2010
Olympic
No
Popularity
niche
How it works
Objective
Descent from alpine terrain combining ski turns + short flight sections over cliffs/terrain.
Match structure
Non-competitive typically; some race events combine speed + freestyle judged elements.
Rules
Basic rules
Alternating ski + flight sections
Skier connected to wing — pushes off snow to ski sections + then launches into flight over cliffs or steep sections.
Wing size chosen by conditions + terrain
Smaller wings for high wind + tight turning; larger for longer flight sections.
Very high-risk sport
Fatality rate exceeds either parent sport (skiing + paragliding) significantly.
Advanced rules
Reserve parachute mandatory
In case of wing collapse during flight sections.
Instructor certification recommended
Speed Riding + Speed Flying (summer variant) require formal instruction; many fatalities have been self-taught practitioners.
Weather + snow conditions critical
High wind + poor visibility = do not fly.
Scoring
Non-competitive typically; some events judge combined speed + trick + line difficulty.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Race + judged flight | Combined score |
Win condition · Non-competitive recreation typically; race events use combined scoring.
Equipment
Speed riding wing (8-14 sqm)
Small high-speed paragliding wing designed for fast forward speeds + tight turning; Ozone Fazer + Gin Genie + Nova + others.
Alpine skis + poles
Standard alpine skis; poles retained during flight sections.
Harness + reserve parachute
Speed riding harness with reserve parachute mandatory.
Helmet + backpack + avalanche safety kit
Alpine + aerial safety kit combined.
Radio (for group descents)
Communication between pilots during multi-pilot descents.
Positions & roles
Speed rider (pilot)
×1Solo pilot controlling wing + skis.
Officiating
Non-competitive typically.
- Race director (event-based)
Penalties & fouls
Penalties
Reckless flight over spectators
Ban from venue.
Strategies
Ski + fly transition timing
Deciding when to fly vs. ski = key skill; premature flight = wing collapse risk; late flight = terrain collision.
Wing size for conditions
Choose wing size matching wind + terrain difficulty; wrong choice = danger.
Reserve parachute readiness
Reserve deployment reflexes practiced regularly for emergency situations.
Terminology
- Speed riding
- Winter variant with skis (snow contact).
- Speed flying
- Summer variant without skis (foot launch).
- Wing
- The paragliding-style parasail wing.
- The Fifty (Cody Townsend project)
- 50 iconic North American ski descents project featuring speed riding integration.
Major competitions
World Speed Riding Championships
biennial · European Alps rotating hosts · since 2010
Chamonix Speed Riding events (multiple)
seasonal (winter) · Chamonix, France · since 2005
La Grave Speed Riding meets
seasonal · La Grave, France · since 2005
Whistler Speed Riding festivals
occasional · Whistler, Canada · since 2015
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Fédération Française de Vol Libre (FFVL, French paragliding federation)
Founded 1974 · France
FAI Paragliding + Speed Riding Commission
Founded 1990 · Switzerland (FAI HQ)
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- François Bon (France) — speed riding pioneer + big-mountain descents
- Antoine Girard (France) — pioneer + adventure sports figure
- Cody Townsend (USA) — 'The Fifty' project speed rider + big-mountain skier
- Ryan Taylor (Canada) — big-mountain speed rider
Records
Chamonix birthplace
Chamonix, France — Speed riding invented ~2000 in Chamonix; remains world's primary speed riding venue + community (2024)
High fatality rate
Speed Riding — Fatality rate significantly higher than either parent sport (skiing + paragliding); estimated 5-10 fatalities/year globally in active community of ~1000-3000 practitioners (2024)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Master paragliding first (P2/P3 level)
Full paragliding certification essential; can't skip.
- 2
Master expert alpine skiing (double-black diamond)
Essential skiing foundation.
- 3
Formal speed riding instruction at Chamonix or French Alps school
Do NOT self-teach; fatality rate very high for self-taught.
advanced
- 1
Big-mountain freeride line integration
Elite speed riders integrate wing into big-mountain ski descents.
- 2
World Speed Riding Championship circuit
Biennial world championships in European Alps.
Frequently asked
How dangerous is speed riding?+
Very high risk — fatality rate exceeds either parent sport (skiing + paragliding) significantly. Estimated 5-10 fatalities/year globally in active community of ~1000-3000. Primary dangers: wing collapse in turbulence, terrain collision, reserve parachute failure at low altitude, weather deterioration mid-run. Formal instruction + steady progression essential; do NOT self-teach.
How is it different from paragliding?+
Standard paraglider is 20-30 sqm designed for slow gentle flight; speed riding wing is 8-14 sqm for fast forward speeds + tight turning. Speed riding descends terrain mixing ski + flight; standard paragliding is aerial flight only. Speed riding requires skiing skill + integrated ski/fly transitions.
Can you speed ride without skis (summer)?+
Yes — that's SPEED FLYING (summer variant). Same small wings, foot launched from mountainside instead of ski-launched from snow. Different challenges: no snow means ground contact impossible; must fly full route. Both variants share equipment + high-risk profile.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Speed riding— Wikipedia