What's the Deal?
Take in a relaxing bird's-eye view of one of North America's most beautiful cities – or thrill to a roller-coaster-like ride.
Where's it at?
The peak of Vancouver's Grouse Mountain is renowned for its stunning 360-degree views of the city, sea and snow-covered mountains. Experience that panorama with a tandem paragliding flight with North Shore Paragliding. After a short safety briefing, your instructor will lay out the canopy and fit you into a full body harness. He'll then attach you to his front and ask you to take a few steps down the slope while he pulls the canopy into the wind. Before you've managed a few strides, you'll be soaring at 40 kilometres an hour a hundred metres or more above the chalet and gondola, with the Lions Peaks, Capilano Lake and the city as your backdrop. Flying in a seated position, your instructor will take photos and video of your flight and once you've relaxed a bit, will ask if you want to try some wingovers or spiral dives: Be prepared, these G-force-inducing descents will leave you as dizzy as the scariest roller coaster. Your 20-minute flight will finish 1,000 metres lower in a grassy field at the base of the mountain and you'll want to do it all over again.
Who's it for?
Those who don't like waiting to take the gondola down the mountain.
North Shore Paragliding runs tandem flights from June through late September. The cost is $199.