French Snowkite Championships 2025 at Val Cenis
What is snowkiting?
Snowkiting is a gliding sport practiced on snow with a traction kite similar to that used in kitesurfing, but adapted to the mountains. This sport, affiliated to the Fédération française de vol libre (FFVL), allows you to move around, climb slopes or perform tricks, all propelled by the wind.
As with sailing, you can go upwind or downwind. Depending on weather conditions, snowkites can move very quickly over all types of terrain.
French Freerace Snowkite Championships
In the Freerace Championships, participants start from a starting point and must pass a number of markers (between 1 and 4) before returning to the starting point. There is no set course: competitors can pass the markers in any order they choose. The fastest competitor wins!Freerace practice categories
- Ski / Snowboard
Participant categories
- Men's / Women's
- Junior / Veteran (over 40)
Windy routes
- North wind: Col du Mont Cenis, starting area near the mushers.
- South wind: Col du Mont Cenis, lake-side start area.
- West wind: Val Cenis-Termignon, near the Lac ski lift.
Who can snowkite?
Snowkiting is accessible to a wide variety of skiers. "A 10-year-old who's comfortable on skis and has already held a kite can try it," assures Cyril Carlot, president of KAF (Kenelle Air Force), the association that organizes the French Championships.
On the skiing side, a confirmed level is sufficient. In terms of aerology, knowledge of kite handling is a plus, but not essential for beginners. The key is to understand the wind and the aerology to be able to move around.
Nor do you need to be in any particular physical condition. Today's kiteboarding equipment allows everyone to practice, with no age limit.
A 10-year-old who is comfortable on skis and has already held a kite can try it.
Where can you snowkite at Val Cenis ?
Two sites dedicated to snowkiting are available:
1. Mont Cenis plateau
2. Val Cenis-Termignon (top of the estate)
These sectors offer a variety of wind conditions to multiply the possibilities.
Please note:
Practice is subject to ski area opening hours.
A "snowkite" pass (50% off the full price) is available at the ticket office.
For a beginner or advanced level, instructors offer specific snowkiting courses at Val Cenis.
Cyril Carlot
KAF* ChairmanWhy hold the French Snowkite Championships at Val Cenis ?
"The Mont Cenis site is exceptional in its beauty and particularly well-suited to snowkiting: it's often windy, which is obviously essential for the sport. Snowkiting has been practiced for years at Val Cenis , and the lift company has set up dedicated zones and offers a special ski pass... Snowkiteers are well catered for at Val Cenis ! And, of course, there's the snow guarantee at Haute Maurienne Vanoise. In recent years, the championships scheduled for the Forez region have not been able to take place due to lack of snow. The dozens of participants expected at the 2025 Championships will have no such worries at Val Cenis ."
What are the possibilities with snowkiting?
In snowkiting, anything is possible. The only limits are the obstacles and the weather. Then you can do what you want. You can take it easy for flat rides, go wild with freestyle jumps and speed, travel long distances or use it as a "slope lift" to climb mountains. Some freeriders replace touring skis with snowkites: where they used to sweat for hours on the ascent in sealskins, they now take just a few dozen minutes. At the summit, they stow their 3 to 4 kilo glider in their rucksack and off they go!
Is it an extreme sport?
"It used to be, but snowkiting is becoming more democratic thanks to the evolution of equipment, which now requires less power. Of course, it's advisable to start with lessons to understand the aerology and principles of movement, to avoid mistakes. But it's all quite simple and accessible. After 1 hour's training, you can already start to move around easily!"
*KAF: Kenelle Air Force, kitesurf and snowkite association based in Lyon, organizes the French Snowkite Championships in conjunction with the French Free Flight Federation.
And to make sure you don't miss out on any of the action, book your accommodation now!
Find out more about our furnished accommodation available for this period! Our reservations department will be happy to help you with your search on 04 79 05 99 10.