Masters of Snow

The Serre Chevalier Vallée saw some epic snowkite action during the latest World Snowkite Masters a few months ago. What is snowkiting freestyle, and what does an event in this category look like? Find out what went down - and up - in the French Alps in this exclusive IKSURFMAG article!

The 2022 Lords of Tram just wrapped up in Le Barcarès in southeastern France! If you tuned into the livestream, you probably saw the mind-blowingly rapid progression that big air kiteboarding is going through, with Double Loops, S Loops, and Double Boogie Loops landed in the competition. In the end, Andrea Principi stole the show in an insanely close battle with Giel Vlugt. Pippa van Iersel claimed a triumphant win in the ladies division, and at centre stage in the Division 2 category was local rider, Theophile van Beek. 

With so much action on the water, I wouldn't blame you for not noticing the stunning snow-capped peak in the background. Canigó mountain just had a gentle dusting of snow thanks to the cold snap that most of continental Europe are experiencing. 

Duotone | View in Mag

Gin Kiteboarding | View in Mag

Snow on our minds, we turned our attention to one of the best snowkite destinations in Europe, the freshly powdered winter wonderland of France's Serre Chevalier Vallée. Just a few months ago, during the 19th edition of the World Snowkite Masters, this popular winter spot lit up with activity as competitors came from near and far to participate in this unique event. There's no one better to tell us where it all began than Wareck Arnaud, a talented snowkiter, photographer, and frequent contributor to this magazine!

"The Snowkite Masters started from the idea of having a great party while bringing together the best riders in the world, including legends of Snowkiting like Guillaume Chastagnol. This event was created by the Ozone Kites dream team, Matt Taggart, Rob Whittall, Dominik Zimmermann, and my buddy Régis Labaune at the legendary Col du Lautaret pass in the Hautes-Alpes. The spot is sublime, and we never get tired of it! When we opened the event to the snowkiting public, riders did us the honour of coming from all over the world, and the World Snowkite Masters was born."

Frequent competitor, Marek Zach, tells us a bit about how a major snowkite event works, explaining, "The 2021 competition showed that snowkiting embraces all the areas of kite sports, from wakestyle in strong winds up to big air, freeride and riding up mountains. Freestyle in the mountains is completely different to that on the water. Firstly, you're riding a few thousand meters above sea level, which leaves its mark on your body, and you ultimately know who has been training and who hasn't. Secondly, you have to remember that the spot is not flat, and it might happen that after a trick, you're not landing but are flying further and higher. In that situation, the judges expect to see more variety from the riders; you have to give it your best!"

Of course, we can't talk about the event without speaking to Didier Botta, a stand-out performer in the event, winning in both ski and snowboard freestyle. He breaks down the format, saying, "The competition format was centred on freestyle with three categories: men in snowboard, men in ski and women in snowboard. Each day, all competitors measured themselves in 12-minute heats and had the opportunity to perform 12 tricks, with the 6 best tricks being scored. The final results were calculated by adding the scores from each round. On the last day, we had a freeride event. We had a spot called "Pyramide" to play on. For me, this is what snowkiting is all about: playing with the hills and natural obstacles and mixing jumps, flying, and nice turns in the powder. It was really intense to ride at 200% power during the run. The deep snow made it tiring but also super fun. My best trick was a handle pass over the corniche riding down the slope as if I was snowboarding."

Botta has dedicated a lot of energy to his snowkite performance, which showed in his results, "SKM is the perfect moment to meet friends, ride together and push the limits of freestyle snowkiting. When the competition is on, it's time to send the best tricks. It was my goal to compete in both the ski and snowboard and be in good enough shape to win both. In the previous two events, I learned that it is complicated to be on top in both, but this time, I succeeded. I am proud of this achievement and happy with the feedback and congratulations I have had since. One thing that made me really happy was being congratulated by Chasta (Guillaume Chastagnol), who has inspired me since the beginning."

Flysurfer | View in Mag

F-One Kiteboarding | View in Mag

For Laurent Guyot, also known as Lolo BSD, having the SKM at his home spot is one of the most exciting times of the year. Guyot says, "I've lived in the Serre Chevalier Valley for five years; it's cool to compete at home! The Lautaret Pass is actually the best freestyle snowkite spot over here. Joss and Kirstie (who run the Lautaret Lodge & Spa) are a big part of the snowkite community here at Lautaret Pass, and we always go to their brasserie to share good food and drinks before or after the session."

Like many SKM competitors, Guyot goes back year after year, "Most snowkite events these days are focused on racing, and most snowkiters are freeriding, so I think it's cool to see snowkite freestyle in a competition! I'm 50% there to have fun riding and partying with riders and friends, and 50% focused on the competition. Riding and partying is the SKM concept, and it works pretty well!"

First-time attendee and competitor Charlotte de Foucault tells us about the conditions during the event, "The night before, a lot of snow had fallen. The feeling of riding in a metre of powder was really incredible. I used to kite on water, but I was just discovering snowkiting, and I quickly got into the game. Finally, I ended up on the podium, and so I'm happy! It was a nice experience with friendly, good vibes!"

Progression can happen quickly in the snow, especially with the positive influence of other passionate riders. Winner of the Women's Freestyle, Marie Dubois, weighs in, "As my first contest in the snow, I was happy to land an S Bend, Double Front, and Front to Blind. Snowkiting in a group helps a lot; watching other riders improve makes others want to push their limits to be better. This spot is magic for snowkiting in the Serre Chevalier Vallée; it's working almost every day! We're also lucky to have the Lautaret Lodge on the spot. They keep us warm during our breaks around nice meals and drinks! It was a perfect week, both on and off the snow."

Botta adds, "As the level improves on the water, it also does on the snow. There is an evolution in the unhooked tricks but also big air. What I focus on and love the most is big air, using the kite to jump high and doing rotations and kiteloops in an amazing winter atmosphere. There are endless possibilities in snowkiting! Snowkiting is the best winter alternative if you love kiting and snow; it's definitely worth a try if you haven't yet."

Ride Engine | View in Mag

Mystic | View in Mag

Snowkiting really is for everyone. It's not only a way to go kiting when you're not near the water; it's a subcategory of the sport that exists completely independently. On the subject of safety and accessibility, Marek Zach says, "The equipment is evolving like everything else in the world, and it's doing that quickly. Some elements stay the same, but the advancements in gear have made the sport super safe and accessible to everyone. You can see 5-year-olds using kites in open fields behind the house somewhere, totally carefree, and seniors using it to ride up mountains as alternatives to ski lifts." 

Of course, like with kiting on water, some of the best moments occur even when not attached to a kite, and Wareck Arnaud has spent more time behind the scenes and behind the lens in recent events, as you can see by this incredible gallery of snowkite photos from SKM. Arnaud says, "During SKM, I don't really have time to ride anymore, but I love to organise the event and do my best to accommodate those who give us the honour of coming to participate and making this event possible. Riders come from Norway, Russia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany... without these riders, there would be no event. Thank you to them, our partners, spectators, and our technical team!" 

"In 2023, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the SKM. To ride with the legends of snowkiting, discover the sport of snowkite, and explore the spot, I hope that we will have the honour of welcoming you, yes, you who have read this article until the end, as well as the whole IKSURFMAG team, to join us for our 20th-anniversary event!"