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Learn how to Snowkite facing Mt Blanc Snowkiting... for who ? what ? how ?Anyone from 8 years of age, and being able to ski or snowboard down a Red slope can learn snowkiting.
While snowkiting, you're NOT FLYING but simply using the wind through a powerkite as your personnal ski-lift. Since you're on hard ground (snow) and you only need light wind to start sliding, it is way easier, safer and quicker to learn how to handle the kite.
Looking for a Gift idea : give a snowkiting lesson !| Your little brother's Christmas present ? Your Dad's BDay ? Your niece graduation? He or she is crazy about outdoor sports ?
>> Give him/her a Snowkiting beginner lesson ! From 45€, receive a GIFT Vouncher ready to put under the Christmas Tree... To order, contac us. |
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Your snowkiting lessonYou are welcomed by your instructor directly on the school site at the Petit St Bernard pass, at an altitude of 2200m, in the heart of the Espace San Bernardo international skiing area.
Each course is organised as follow :
The above course length is based on the time spent ON THE ZONE. Time to get to/from the area is not included.
Courses are held from 1pm to 4pm (exceptionnaly from 10am depending on weather conditions).
Prices and booking Print out our booking form| BEGINNER | STARTER | SENSATION | PASSION | ||
| Time length | 1H30 | 3H | 6H | 9H | 12H |
| Price /pers | 50 € | 90 € | 160 € | 235 € | 300 € |
| under 16 yod | 45 € | 80 € | 135 € | 200 € | 255 € |
Mandatory |
+6€ | +6€
or Licence FFVL |
+6€
or Licence FFVL |
Licence FFVL mandatory | Licence FFVL mandatory |
Parental consent for kids under 18 : download HERE Group rates (>8 pers), business events and private courses : please contact us |
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The above prices INCLUDE :
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The above prices DO NOT INCLUDE :
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SPECIALS !PACK : "Buddies"Book a course with a minimum of 3 friends and get 10% OFF your lesson ! |
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PACK : "Lesson + Kite"With this pack, go home with the kite you've been learning snowkiting during your course. BUY 1 Kite = Get 1 starter Course FOR FREE ! |
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PACK : "Lesson + Accomodation"By booking your snowkiting course and staying at the Auberge du Val Joli (Seez), SAVE 10% on your stay. More info at www.aubergevaljoli.com |
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InsurancesSnowkiting is not more dangerous than skiing or snowboarding. Nevertheless, it is important to have a proper insurance in case of injury. (For information, since 2006 when we opened the school, we have only had a twisted thumb.)
2 types of insurance have to be considered :
In France, powerkites are legally seen as flying objects, just like paragliders or small planes... (even though only the kite is flying and NOT YOU) In case you hurt someone with your kite or its lines, you need to provide an Air liability to be covered. This specific insurance is MANDATORY in order to get a course in all french kiting schools. It costs 6€ for 2 days. From the 3rd day, you'll need a FFVL Licence (French Kiting Federation) available from 25€ for a year. This licence works in all european countries and other places in the world. You can get this licence directly at the beginning of your course.
In case of an accident on the snowkiting school area of the Petit St Bernard pass, you will be taken care of the Pist patrols of the Espace San Bernardo resort. Those services ARE NOT FREE. We recommend you to get a personnal insurrance for winter sports (Carte Neige which can be sold as an option to your ski pass)
CancellingCANCELLING FROM YOUR SIDE :
- 15 days ahead of the course starting date, you get full refund of your deposit.
- Less than 15 days ahead of the course, we keep your 30% deposit.
- Your cancellation, even partial, under the 15 days time limit will not allow any price reduction or refund.
All started courses must be paid.
CANCELLING FROM THE SCHOOL :
- you will be contacted 8 days ahead of the course starting date and will get a full refund of your 30% deposit.
Snowkiting depends directly on weather. If the weather is not sufficiently safe, and the course has to be ended earlier than scheduled, the following conditions apply :
> If the minimum time (see tab below) has been reached at the end of the course, no refund or deferment will be offered.
| BEGINNER | STARTER | SENSATION | PASSION | ||
| Total time | 1H30 | 3H | 6H | 9H | 12H |
| Minimal time | 1H | 2H30 | 5H | 7H | 10H |
> If the minimum time has not been reached at the end of the course, the following solution are possible :
a) Refund of the remaining courses.
b) Holding on the remaining courses.
c) Immediate deferment on the remaining courses according to schedule.
Check list In order for your snowkiting course to roll smoothly, here is a "check list" we suggest :
Your instructorsOur goal is to share our passion, to help you discover and love this fantastic sport, in the best conditions possible.
All instructors are specifically trained by the French Kiting Federation (FFVL)
... and what happen if there's no WIND ?We have chosen the Petit St Bernard pas to establish our school as it is known for it's high average of windy days. Nevertheless, sometimes Eole gets lazy...
In that case, snowkiting courses are postponed or cancelled. But this does not mean that your hollidays are ruined! There are loads of activities on Espace San Bernardo.
FAQsAll thos questions have been asked at least once to our instructors. Here are the answers to save you some time :
Not more that skiing or snowboarding. Statistically, there are less injuries with snowkiters as they go slower. Beside, the risks of collision between kiters are very limited, especially of wide areas like the Petit St Bernard pass. The very few dramatic injuries related over the Internet were the result of silliness : people kiting in extreme conditions, with unadapted gears, forgetting the basic rules of safety that your learn during your course.
Well... while Snowkiting : you are simply NOT FLYING !
A beginner kiting with proper gears (according to his level and weight) and taught by a certified instructor as NO RISK AT ALL to get off the ground unwillingly. There is no reason for him/her to be attached to the instructor, as it is the case and necessary for Paragliding.
Experienced snowkiters can do high jumps. But they control every movement of it and manage to get off the ground only thanks to a very specific stearing of the kite. From the moment where all safety rules are respected, it is possible to kite with a very limited amount of risk.
During WInter season, the Petit St Bernard pass can ONLY be reached with the San Bernardo ski-lifts. It takes about 45 min from the resorts (France or Italy) to get there.
The road between France and Italy crossing the pass is CLOSED from November to June. It is forbidden to try walking along this road (especially on the French side) because of HIGH AVALANCHE risks.
In average, it takes about 2 to 3 hours for a beginner to understand and control the stearing of a kite, well enough to start sliding a bit on skis or snowboard. Nevertheless, a beginner will only be able to kite on his own after 3 to 4 courses. It is way easier and quicker to learn snowkiting on snow that kitesurfing on water. But since the technics are very similar, it will be quite easy for a snowkiter to move to kitesurfing within a few hours of practice.
