Beginners' Guides
03/03/2026
The Alta is an Ozone paraglider that marks a breakthrough in EN-A wing design. Where most manufacturers pit performance and safety against each other, Ozone has chosen to merge the two using a technical approach inherited from its competition wings.
Despite its focus on ease of use and safety, the Alta aims high. This wing incorporates technologies from the Ozone performance range: optimised profiles, light construction and redesigned line geometry. The result is a new generation of EN-A that doesn't resemble the soft, sedate wings we're used to in this category.
The Alta is positioned at the top of the EN-A Ozone range. It replaces no existing wing: it creates a new category, halfway between the advanced school wing and the entry-level EN-B. For pilots looking for a wing that can be used on a daily basis with real performance, it's a product that didn't exist before its release.
The Alta is a versatile glider, but it's not for everyone in the same way. Here's our opinion, based on your profile.
If you've just got your licence and you're looking for your first personal wing, the Alta is an excellent choice. Its ease of use and the safety of its EN-A certification mean you can progress with confidence. You'll enjoy performance that will stay with you for a long time, without being limited by your wing after just a few months. For those who haven't yet taken the plunge, our paragliding school prepares you to fly independently.
This is perhaps the profile that will get the most out of the Alta. In local thermals, the wing performs well enough to exploit lift and make great flights, while maintaining a comfortable safety margin. Its versatility means you can go from a calm evening flight to a sustained thermal session without changing equipment. The Alta is a wing you can use every day, whatever your programme. For the maintenance of your wing, think of the paraglider revision regular.
The Alta is the perfect introduction to cross-country flying, with real weapons: glide, speed and lightness. For experienced pilots, it can be used as a complementary light wing for hike & fly or mountain expeditions. For those who fly at a variety of sites such as Gréolières appreciate its ability to adapt to very different conditions from one day to the next.
This is the heart of the test, and this is where the Ozone Alta surprises the most. On our Gréolières site, in a variety of thermal conditions, this wing delivered performance that you wouldn't expect from an EN-A.
The glide ratio of the Alta is around 9.5. In practice, this translates into a glide ratio that allows you to link long transitions without unnecessarily losing altitude. In lift, the wing naturally enters thermals and climbs with an efficiency reminiscent of the best higher category wings. The performance is particularly impressive for an EN-A certified wing.
With a trim speed of around 38 km/h and a top speed of around 48 km/h, the Alta offers a comfortable speed range. The accelerator is progressive, without hardening, and the glide remains clean even with the arms up. This is a strong point for pilots who want to explore long-distance flying without switching to an EN-B.
In local thermal flight over Gréolières, the Alta is precise and communicative. It informs the pilot without stressing him. In more active conditions, handling remains excellent and the wing doesn't stall in tight turns. It's this combination of performance and reliability that makes the difference every day. To anticipate the best flying windows, consult our guide Meteoblue and paragliding weather.
There's no point in having a high-performance wing that's difficult to fly. The Alta achieves the opposite: the easier it is to fly, the more you want to go far.
The Alta is easy to launch, even in light winds. The wing rises gradually and stabilises naturally overhead without any particular effort. On our take-off from Gréolières at 1,800 m, where wind conditions vary a lot, it's a real comfort. In strong winds, the wing remains controllable without any surprises. The beginner pilots we supervise at the Ailéments paragliding school appreciate this ease of piloting from the very first inflations.
The controls are light, progressive and precise. The wing responds without dead time, allowing you to fly actively in thermals without fatigue. The feeling is direct: you always know what the wing is doing and what it's going to do. For a pilot who is progressing, this is an essential quality.
The Alta's passive safety is at the top of its class. In moderate turbulence, the wing absorbs turbulence without sudden collapses. If a collapse does occur, it reopens quickly and cleanly. It's this maximum safety that allows you to fly serenely even when conditions become active. The Alta offers a level of safety and reliability that inspires confidence from the very first flights.
The lightness of the Ozone Alta is not a marketing argument. It's a technical feature that makes a real difference to riding.
Depending on the size, the Alta weighs between 3.2 and 4.1 kg. That's a remarkably low weight for a wing with this level of performance. In comparison, a classic EN-A weighs between 4.5 and 6 kg. This difference is immediately noticeable in the rucksack, particularly on the approach to an alpine pass at altitude.
The light construction of the Alta is based on high-quality materials developed by Ozone for its competition wings. Lighter fabric, thinner lines, optimised internal structure: every gram is weighed without sacrificing durability. The design incorporates Ozone's latest technological advances in profile and internal architecture.
It's on a hike & fly that the Alta's lightness and versatility really come into their own. With a light harness, the complete package weighs less than 7 kg. The wing can be folded quickly, stored in a compact bag and deployed effortlessly at the summit. For mountain flying, whether it's an Alpine pass or a windy ridge, the Alta is an ideal companion. Pilots who practice paragliding and hiking find in this wing a perfect compromise between performance and portability.
The Alta is a versatile glider, but it's not for everyone in the same way. Here's our opinion, based on your profile.
If you've just got your licence and you're looking for your first personal wing, the Alta is an excellent choice. Its ease of use and the safety of its EN-A certification mean you can progress with confidence. You'll enjoy performance that will stay with you for a long time, without being limited by your wing after just a few months. For those who haven't yet taken the plunge, our paragliding school prepares you to fly independently.
This is perhaps the profile that will get the most out of the Alta. In local thermals, the wing performs well enough to exploit lift and make great flights, while maintaining a comfortable safety margin. Its versatility means you can go from a calm evening flight to a sustained thermal session without changing equipment. The Alta is a wing you can use every day, whatever your programme. For the maintenance of your wing, think of the paraglider revision regular.
The Alta is the perfect introduction to cross-country flying, with real weapons: glide, speed and lightness. For experienced pilots, it can be used as a complementary light wing for hike & fly or mountain expeditions. For those who fly at a variety of sites such as Gréolières appreciate its ability to adapt to very different conditions from one day to the next.
The Alta excels in three areas. Firstly, the performance/safety ratio: it's the best EN-A wetsuit we've tested. Secondly, its lightness: weighing in at under 4kg in size M, it's a decisive advantage for both hike & fly and everyday transport. Finally, the ease of piloting: easy to take off and fly, it gives you confidence without restricting your progress.
The light construction requires particular care: avoid dragging the wing on the ground and store it properly. The lifespan will be slightly less than that of a conventional fabric wing. Regular servicing is all the more important with this type of construction. Furthermore, a complete beginner will not get the most out of it without a few dozen flights of experience. Finally, the price remains that of a high-quality wing - this is not an entry-level product.
The classic Alta is designed for riders looking for maximum lightness and who enjoy hike & fly. The Alta GT, with its reinforced construction, is better suited to intensive, daily use. Flight performance is virtually identical. Our recommendation: if you fly more than 100 hours a year and don't hike & fly, go for the GT. Otherwise, the Alta light is a gem.
To discover our other Ozone wing tests, see our test of the’Ozone Ultralite 5 and our test of the’Ozone Delta 5.
The Ozone Alta is not just a good EN-A wing. It's a new benchmark for pilots who refuse to choose between performance, safety and lightness. Our daily experience with this wing on the Alpes-Maritimes confirms what the figures show: the Alta keeps its promises and often exceeds them.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced pilot looking for a versatile light wing, the Alta deserves your attention. And if you'd like to test it in real conditions before making your decision, come and fly with us.
Book your first paragliding experience in Gréolières or contact us on 06 87 68 71 90 to discuss your flight plans.
