Our instructors are all state certified. They share a high degree of experience in solo as well as tandem flying, in Chamonix and all over the world.
Your instructor's RC insurance protects you and others in terms of flying and civil responsibility.
Keep in mind that they fly with you and all have families of their own. They will therefore be “doubly careful” during every stage of your flight with them.
We have been granted the “Label de qualité” by the Fédération Française de Parapente. All our wings are equipped with reserve parachutes and passenger airbags.
As soon as your kids ask to fly, let them! From 4 years old on, kids are very receptive to the pleasures of flying like a bird. We will take them up if they really wish to go up. We will of course select the best flying conditions for them to have a good and safe time: early in the morning, in smooth calm air.
Sometimes, they even get to pilot the wing. They find it easy and fun!
As for seniors; there really is no age limit to paragliding. Haven’t you ever dreamt of it? Stop hesitating, we will take good care of you. We’ll even take a few additional measures to make sure you have the most pleasant time up there. Remember to tell us your age when booking your flight. By the way, the age record for a tandem flight is held by a 104-year old woman!
As in the case of children, we will adapt the flight schedule in order for you to enjoy the smoothest flight possible.
Depending on the weather conditions and site chosen for you flight, weight can be of critical importance.
For flights taking off from Planpraz and Plan de l’Aiguille, we can take passengers weighting less than 45kg or more than 90kg provided that we’re told of the fact in advance.
As for the high-mountain flights (Grands Montets and Aiguille du Midi), it is preferable to weigh less than 90kg (subject to exceptions).
Your are in the process of planning your stay or weekend: book as soon as you know when you will be in the valley and available. Try to plan for some leeway while your here as the weather is its own master. That is also the reason why we recommend that you book for a flight early in your stay so that, in the case of bad weather, you will be able to reschedule.
You already are in Chamonix: call us as soon as you can and do not wait until the last moment to book your flight. Remember that weather conditions are ever changing and that we are wholly dependant on them!
Every day we fly passengers who claim that they are afraid of heights. But know that when paragliding, as in other situations where your feet are not in contact with the ground, this fear simply goes away. The question we ask our passengers is: “can you manage flying in a plane?”. If so, you will be fine in the glider and you will have a great time.
Also keep in mind that in paragliding, we do not jump off cliffs. Quite the opposite in fact. We take off by merely walking down a gentle slope until, after mere seconds, we can feel ourselves being gently lifted into the air.
In no way do we ever get the feeling of “falling down”. So rest assured; you will have no problem.
It is a perfectly normal and sensible reaction to be somewhat afraid when confronted with an unknown situation. As a matter of fact, everyone feels a certain level apprehension before taking flight. But once airborne, comfortably nested in your harness, the pleasing sensation of flight will make the fear go away in seconds; or in a few short minutes for the ones who worried most.
Like others before you, you will be surprised by the ease of takeoff and how comfortable the whole flight is. Plus, we always adapt to our passenger’s expectations. We can go for a calm and relaxing glide or opt for an bigger dose of adrenaline or even some acrobatics! Everyone is different and we are there to listen to your expectations and provide you with the experience you’re seeking.
Planpraz or Plan de l’Aiguille : pants, windbreaker, sport shoes or hiking boots and sunglasses.
Grands-Montets : pants, Gore Tex type vest, gloves, sunglasses, rigid high-mountain boots.
Aiguille du Midi : technical pants, fleece, Gore Tex type jacket, gaiters, knit cap, gloves, sunglasses, rigid high mountain boots and crampons.
During winter : dress as if going skying. High boots (après-ski or snowboard shoes). Ski boots are not recommended as they make takeoff less easy.
In Chamonix, we fly from resorts equipped with ski lifts and cable cars. We will meet at the base of those lifts, next to the ticket booths. Each flight has its own rendez-vous point. We will give you all required information at booking time.
You can also find the relevant information online under “Rendez-vous point” on our flights’ details page.
Sometimes, weather conditions simply do not allow for a safe flight. If we become aware of such conditions far enough in advance (on the previous day for example), we will inform you. It also happens that conditions change sufficiently in the course of the day for us to be forced to cancel your flight. If it is impossible for you to reschedule, we will of course refund you in full. Note that gift cards however are not refundable as they are valid for a whole year.
If you do not hear from us on flight-day, it will mean that the flight is on. So we ask you to please report to the rendez-vous point as planned.
A paragliding discovery fight is very easy!
You will meet with your instructor at the cable-car station. Plan on arriving a bit early so to buy your cable-car ticket in advance. After meeting with your instructor, you will both get up and use that time to get to know each other and prepare your flight. He will then guide you on foot to the takeoff site where he will get you all equipped. You will then prep the wing together and once he is done checking everything and has strapped you in, he’ll ask you to engage in a gentle run. You will immediately feel yourself getting lighter and soon after being taken by the gentle magic of takeoff, you’ll cradle in your harness, wholly supported by this beautiful wing above your head. We will land close to the town centre and drive you back to the meeting point.
The whole experience lasts for about an hour.
It is really nice for you and your friends to meet at the landing site. They will be there anxiously awaiting your first impressions and the chance measure the size of that smile of yours! Tell them to accompany you to the rendez-vous point as the landing site is close by. We will tell them who you’re flying with as well as the colour of your wing so that they can spot you in the sky.
They can also accompany you to the takeoff site. In this case, they will have to purchase a two-way ticket for that site.
Very few people suffer from it (about 5%). If you are subject to feeling poorly in cars or boat (but very much so), it is best to book an early morning flight given that the conditions are usually very calm during that time of day. If you do end up feeling a bit light headed, just tell your instructor and he will adapt his piloting.
Flying in itself is a already a wonderful thing. But flying in such settings as the Chamonix valley is simply extraordinary. The views are breathtakingly beautiful. Do not hesitate anymore!
If you have not paid the full amount for your flight at booking, then plan to do so in cash , when you meet your instructor at the rendez-vous point.
Remember to bring your chosen mean of payment with you.
Yes, you can bring your camera with you, but it will be fully under your responsibility. It must also be tethered to avoid its falling and hurting someone.
Note that we provide a photo/video service. We are used to filming in this magnificent panorama and us taking care of filming will allow you to enjoy your flight more fully.
For every flight we offer, an estimate of its duration is given. For example, flights from Planpraz-Brévent and Plan de l' Aiguille last between 15 and 30 minutes with 20 minutes as an average. Flight duration mainly depends on meteorological and aerological conditions, as well as on the comfort of our passenger.
Duration for the whole activity (meeting, ride up to the takeoff site, preparation, flight, landing and drive back to rendez-vous point) is about an hour.
The gift card is valid for a year from its date of purchase.
You can make your reservation by mail, phone (+33 06 08 23 92 65) or in person at the Chamonix office. Just tell us what activity has been offered to you (Planpraz, speed riding discovery day ...) and the gift card number. We will then agree on a date and time and you will receive all the information you need to prepare for your flight or speed riding session.
Remember to reserve ahead of time. The weather conditions may force us to reschedule, do not wait until the last minute before making your reservation.
A good ski level is necessary for speed riding. We go off the marked slopes; being a good off-piste skier is therefore required.
We do not teach speed riding on snowboards. Speed riding requires that you remain symmetrical under your wing. Snowboarding is therefore not compatible with speed riding.
We offer classes from December to mid-April. But keep in mind that we sometime suffer from a lack of snow at season’s end. So please do not wait and come early!
The lifts we use to get to our training slopes normally are in operation from December 20th to April 20th.
