Red Bull X-Alps 2025: the ultimate paragliding race returns with a new course

The Red Bull X-Alps is much more than just a paragliding competition: it is an extraordinary human and sporting adventure. Every summer, the world's best athletes compete in this extreme race combining free flight, alpine hiking, and strategy. With just a few weeks to go before the start of the 2025 edition, which promises to be the longest and most spectacular ever, we take a closer look at this unmissable event for all outdoor sports enthusiasts.

What is the Red Bull X-Alps?

Created in 2003 by Austrian adventurer Hannes Arch, the Red Bull X-Alps quickly became the benchmark competition in the world of paragliding. Its hybrid concept is based on alternating between free flight and walking, all in an often hostile and unpredictable alpine setting. Competitors must reach geographical markers (called “turnpoints”) independently, with the use of motorized vehicles strictly prohibited. This extreme adventure, dictated by weather conditions, requires a wide range of skills: mastery of thermal flying, GPS navigation, energy management, quick decision-making... All under constant pressure, because every minute counts.

The 2025 course: the longest and most complex ever designed

The 2025 edition introduces an unprecedented route, both in terms of length and technical difficulty. Covering a total distance of 1,283 km, the course links 16 turnpoints across five iconic countries in the Alps: Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and France. Notable new features include the integration of an “X-Turnpoint” in St. Moritz, which athletes will have to cross twice in opposite directions, forcing them to make bold tactical choices. Three mandatory via ferratas also add to the complexity of the route, making the ground navigation more technical than ever. Each stage is a test of constant adaptation, with weather conditions varying from one valley to another. This course will push the physical, mental, and strategic limits of the participants.

Athletes to watch

On the starting line in June 2025, there will be 34 athletes from 17 different countries. Among the iconic figures, Switzerland's Chrigel Maurer (SUI1) remains the big favorite: undefeated since 2009, he dominates the competition thanks to his extraordinary tactical intelligence and unmatched experience in the field. On the French side, Maxime Pinot (FRA2), a pilot with an impressive track record in distance competitions, poses a serious threat to Maurer's throne. Damien Lacaze (FRA1) continues to surprise with his daring and ability to defy the odds. Finally, the presence of Celine Lorenz (GER2), the only woman in the 2025 line-up, embodies the rise of women in a historically male-dominated world.

Why this event is a must for paragliding enthusiasts

The Red Bull X-Alps is not just a race, it is a real-life laboratory for free flight. Each edition pushes the technical limits of paragliding and showcases the evolution of equipment, flight tactics, and energy management strategies. For amateurs and professionals alike, it is an endless source of inspiration. Following this event also provides a better understanding of the subtleties of mountain flying, route selection, weather reading, local aerology, and more. These are all elements that paragliding schools seek to convey in their training.

How to follow the Red Bull X-Alps 2025

The event will begin on June 12, 2025, with a spectacular prologue in Kitzbühel-Kirchberg, Austria. This prologue determines the starting order and allows spectators to discover the athletes in a shorter and more accessible format. The official start will be on June 15. Each day, pilots will have a designated time slot for flying or walking (from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.), with mandatory rest periods at night. Live tracking is available via GPS on the official website redbullxalps.com, offering total immersion with real-time flight data, statistics, rankings, and exclusive multimedia content. On social media, the teams share behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and highlights every day.

A true test of endurance, strategy, and self-transcendence, the Red Bull X-Alps showcases paragliding in all its facets, from pure performance to mental commitment. For experienced pilots and those curious to learn more about the sport, following the race is a great opportunity to learn and dream.

Want to take the first step? Discover paragliding with a first flight or progress at your own pace with our courses at K2 Parapente.