About Aspen Paragliding...
Aspen Paragliding is the premier paragliding school in the country and a full service dealer of paragliders and equipment. We provide professional tandem instruction, certification, mountain & thermal soaring clinics, glider inspection & repair, accessory installation and international adventure travel excursions. Aspen Paragliding was established in 1990 and was one of first paragliding schools to get permission to fly from a USA ski resort.
Our USHPA certified pilots have years of experience with flying, teaching, and international flying competition. We will make your introduction to paragliding safe, secure and enjoyable.
The Aspen Paragliding School is owned & operated by Alex Palmaz. Our instructors are certified by the United States Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association. Only the best, most advanced technical equipment is used for tandem flights and instruction. Aspen Paragliding has use of local teaching sites in exclusive cooperation with the Aspen Skiing Company, the U.S. Forest Service, the City Of Aspen and Pitkin County.
Our USHPA certified pilots launch from the top of Aspen Mountain every day, safely completing hundreds of flights every season…
ASPEN PG FAQ:
Got questions? Here’s some answers…
Anyone who has ever had that dream of flying. All ages are capable and welcome.
- important: Any Participant 65 years or older must call to book.
The average paragliding experience lasts approximately 2 hours from start to finish. In-Air flight time depends on wind and weather conditions. All flights are 3000 vertical feet and take at least 15 minutes from launch to landing. In-Air flight times can sometimes be extended with thermal activity.
Tandem paragliding flights are $400 per person.
VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card numbers are required to hold your reservation.
There is a strict 24-hour cancellation policy.
The summer experience includes a ride up to our launch site on Aspen Mountain in the comfort of our 4x4 company vehicle.
We supply transportation from our meet-up location at the Marolt Property (look for the map below) to our launch site on the mountain.
Winter flights require a ski pass or foot pass to access the mountain.
Your tandem flight includes a ground school course in paragliding that covers all the information the FAA wants you to know about your flight. You can download your own your copy by following this link: Aspen PG Flight Manual
The pilot will give you a flight briefing at launch and help you into a comfortable harness and safety helmet.
For our summer flights, we offer a GoPro package by request to help you remember and share this remarkable experience with your friends and families.
With just a few running steps you and your pilot will take off the side of the hill like a bird. As co-pilot and student, you sit in front with the pilot behind you, allowing for the best views and camera angles.
We offer a GoPro photo or video package by request to help you remember and share this remarkable experience with your friends and families. (Summer Only)
Wind protection and proper footwear are the highest priorities to enhance the enjoyment and comfort of your flight.
Our launch sites are almost 11,000 feet above sea level. Participants should be prepared for cooler temperatures.
- Layered clothing with a wind proof outer shell is best.
- Long pants NOT SHORTS.
- Ankle support/hiking boots are highly recommended.
- Sandals, clogs or anything with an open toe are not acceptable.
Aspen Paragliding supplies all technical gear (safety helmet and harness)
Sun screen, sunglasses, a hat, a bottle of water and a big smile will round out your preparation for an experience you'll be talking about for the rest of your life.
- Requested time & date of flight
Scheduled meet times: 6:45am, 8:15am, 10:15am
- Name(s) of client and phone or room number(s).
- Number of people in group
- Height and weight of each participant
For the 10:15 am flights, the minimum weight is 100 LBS.
If your weight is over 220 lbs, you must notify us for approval
- Visa/MC, Discover or American Express card # & exp date to hold reservation
There is a strict 24hr cancellation policy.
Most tandem flights are reserved in advance, as there is limited space each day.
All flights are wind and weather dependent. Our professional instructor pilots are constantly evaluating flying conditions for everyone's safety and comfort.
Flights are scheduled 3 flights per day, 7 days per week.
Summer flight times are: 6:45 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m.
1st flight booked each day is 8:15. Other flight times are added as needed depending on conditions.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express card number is required to guarantee all reservations.
A fee of $400 per person is charged for cancellations within 24 hours of a scheduled flight if Aspen Paragliding is unable to fill the space.
For groups of 5 or more, 48 hours are requested.
Should the weather necessitate a schedule change, guests are not charged and rescheduling is attempted for a future date & time.
We recommend scheduling a flight early during your visit, as this allows more flexibility for weather related delays.
Aspen Paragliding will meet students, passengers, clients and spectators at the Northstar property outside of town for 6:45am and 8:00am flights. We meet at the Marolt property for 10:00am flights. SEE OUR HANDY MAP for locations
Local Aspen Hotel Clients can be pick up at the Hotel if arrange in advance.
For winter flights, when available, we meet on the mountain.
Arriving early at the meet-up location is important and necessary.
We’ll be filling out lots of paperwork, fitting you for a helmet, making sure you’re properly prepared with clothing and footwear for your safest, most comfortable experience.
—And you don't want to miss your ride up the mountain with all your new friends...
Our morning flights conclude at the Walshes’ landing zone, about 2 miles east of Aspen on Highway 82. It is located at the entrance of the Northstar Wildlife Nature Preserve.
Look for us where the road straightens out with a car park area on the right as you're driving toward Independence Pass.
There's a colorful windsock in the adjacent field.
The afternoon landing zone is located just west of Aspen on the Marolt property at the entrance to town.
Drive west (down valley) on highway 82 and make a right at the traffic circle onto Castle Creek Road towards the hospital. Take the first left. Look for a windsock and open field.
There is a small parking lot next to the field.
Do you want to learn to fly your own paraglider? We also offer a private training program.
The Package Price is $10,000.00 and not available July and August.
Our Total Training Package Includes:
- The Art of Paragliding text book
- Personal log book
- 3 to 5 instructional tandem flights (as needed and determined by your instructor)
- Ground handling, classroom and theory work (1 on 1 with your own instructor)
- P1 and P2 rating instruction to be accomplished in a 6-month period
- Complete gear package (Glider, Harness and Reserve Parachute)
Are you an Aspen local? Do you live in the valley?
Local group courses are also available. Call for information and prices…