Sierra Blogging Post Archives

The National Geographic Adventure Blog is predicting the extreme sport of "Woopy" may be the next big thing. A cross between hang-gliding and skiing, Woopy certainly looks like a lot of fun.

The Woopy is actually part balloon, part paraglider and is meant to lengthen ski jumps, soften ski jump landings and allow skiers to float over cliffs or crevasses. The wing is inflatable and has been "validated by over 1,000 test jumps." It's not legal in the U.S. yet (or for sale) but if you're itching to try the Woopy, you can head to Switzerland and visit one of two "Woopy Parks" set up to test the new sport.


“It feels almost as if you are on the moon,” says Laurent de Kalbermatten, 53, the Woopy’s creator. “You are weightless, like Peter Pan.”

If you're not into skiing, there's also a summertime version of the balloon paraglider contraption so you can enjoy Woopy all year round.