This week is for pilots that want to fly on Skis in Switzerland and do some proximity flying, some touch and go, some Speedriding and soaring with Parakites when conditions are on. We will fly many different spots during the week. We have no fixed plan and drive to wherever it looks best for each day. We stay in Interlaken and leave from there each morning. The Van is full of Flare wings and Ozone Speedriding wings you can use for free during this week. We should also have the Flare high Aspect Ratio wing already. What a wing, you need to fly that one…it’s step up from anything out there. 

This course is great for international pilots to spend a week in the Alps, fly a lot, try many different wings and learn some new skills. It is possible to achieve the Swiss Speedriding licence in this week also if you have a IPPI 4 paragliding licence.

This week we are going to run in any weather. We have so many different locations to choose, there is always something fun we can do with wings. Even if it’s snowing heavily. But we might also make a weather day and to some Spa to relax and recover from hard flying days:-)

Learn the basics of speedriding and of flying parakites. You won’t become a pro in seven days, but we want to give you the necessary know-how and skills so that you can continue practicing on your own and learn and practice the sport safely. We will cover the following topics in the 7 days:
Theory: glide ratio, flight path, collapses, stability, trimmers and angle of attack, stalls, flight planning and terrain assessment, proximity flying, barrel rolls, foot launches, wind and turbulence, swooping
Practice: Different launch techniques (downwind, zero wind, strong wind, crosswind), touch and goes, active riding without collapses, riding without taking off, landing, kiting in strong winds and soaring. 

This week is for all pilots that know how to ski and have enough flying experience. We recommend a minimum of 150 paragliding flights. It’s ok if you never flew a speedwing or a parakite. You don’t need a licensee to join. But we don’t use radios to teach, so you need to be independent enough to learn flying new wings in an easy spot. Good skiing and groundhandling skills help a lot to learn flying with skis. 

Insurance is the responsibility of the participant! We require you to have accident insurance that covers you for speed flying! Speed riding and speed flying are on the SUVA list of high-risk sports, which can lead to reductions in daily allowances in the event of an accident resulting in loss of work. However medical costs are always covered by compulsory accident insurance for Swiss citizens. We recommend adding on accident insurance for risky activities so that you do not receive any daily allowance reductions. You may already have this risk insurance through your employer. Be sure to check beforehand. If you are Swiss and want that extra insurance reach out to Dino Pedrocci from extrem-sport.ch. We recommend you to become a Rega-Patron which is 40.-/year. That will cover a possible Heli-rescue if no other insurance will pay it, so you don’t end up with a 10000CHF rescue bill.

Wings: We will have many wings you can fly during this week, the wing rent is included in this course. Here is a list of wings we will have:
Ozone; Dragonfly, ARC, R3, R3X
Flare; Moustache 2, Line, Prop, Bandit
Swing; Mirage 15
Level Wings; Flame 2 13, Fuze 15
Niviuk; Jester, Kode P
Harnesses: Only harnesses without a seat plate are suitable for speed riding and speed flying. With a seat plate, everything becomes too unstable and aggressive. Many seat plate-free hike and fly harnesses are suitable, regardless of whether they are reversible or not. You don’t need a protector for speed riding, but it makes sense to have one for speed flying, although many people fly without one. To clarify whether your harness is suitable or not, it is best to give Beni a quick call.
Reserve parachute: Since speed riding and speed flying often involve flying close to the ground, a reserve parachute often does not make sense. Nevertheless, there are many flights where you can fly high and practice barrel rolls, for example. In these cases, it makes perfect sense to have a reserve parachute (usually in the form of a front container) with you.
Skis: Since we do speed riding off-piste, freeride skis are best suited. Skis with a width between 105 and 120 mm under the binding are ideal for speed riding. Touring bindings and touring ski boots are no problem. The right skis will help you enormously when skiing off-piste and speed riding! Beni will also be happy to advise you on buying skis.
Additional equipment: We recommend a back protector and a good ski helmet. Telescopic poles, avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe, and avalanche shovel are also part of standard speed riding equipment, but are not absolutely necessary for the course.
Ski goggles: Good visibility is important! Bring unscratched ski goggles, ideally with two lenses, or one lens that allows you to see even in diffuse light.

Accommodation is generally the responsibility of the participant and is not included. However, we are happy to help you find suitable accommodation for example a 4 bed room you can share with others from the course. In Winter you can find rooms for around 50.-/night in Interlaken.