If you’ve never tried paragliding before (…..or maybe you’re not entirely sure what it is!) then La Plagne is a great place to learn how to fly. Known as “parapenting” in France, today there are a great number of clubs and organisations in the area whose sole purpose is to get you flying. So, if it is something that you have always fancied trying, or if you would just like to know a bit more about what it involves and who can do it...
Paragliding is a truly amazing experience and what better place to try it than in the stunning surroundings of La Plagne.
There are a number of paragliding schools in the area that offer tandem flights, where you take to the skies accompanied by an instructor. Taking off is easy, you simply run (in summer) or point your skis/snowboard (in winter) downhill and as you gain speed the parachute lifts you into the air. Whilst this may seem a little scary, once you are in the air the views and tranquility combine into a truly amazing feeling. The instructor will control where you go, aiming to catch thermals which will keep you airborne for longer. When you are coming back to earth, the landing is also very gentle and no more of an impact than jumping off a step.
A standard tandem flight will last about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thermals and in La Plagne, you can fly from La Grande Rochette, La Roche de Mio, Les Verdons and Les Blanchets. From the lofty heights of La Plagne one can glide all the way down to the bottom of the valley.
The mountains look stunning from the air and the quietest and most peaceful way to see them is on a paragliding wing.
This video was shot in Chamonix in the summer but paragliding is a very popular winter sport too and it's available in nearly every ski resort in the Alps.
You don't need to be very fit to try it either. If you can ski or jog for 10 meters then you can fly. Just be sure to wrap up warm!
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What is paragliding?
Paragliding in La Plagne
Often described as the "purest and simplest form of aviation", stemming from man’s long term ambition to be able to fly, others simply call it "a pure joy"! Either way, it is currently one of the fastest growing air sports in the world with much of its attraction being in the portability of the equipment; a canopy that weighs relatively little, fits in a rucksack & can be taken all over the world!
Flights can be undertaken solo (but only with prior training from a qualified instructor) or in tandem with a qualified paragliding pilot, therefore opening up the experience to pretty much anyone. Pilots (and passengers!) wear a comfortable “seated” harness that is securely attached to the paraglider (and also to each other, with the pilot behind in the case of tandem flights). The paraglider itself is laid out flat on the ground of the take-off area and the pilot then fully inflates the wing by moving forward when a gentle gust of wind blows. Once inflated, both pilot and passenger run forward a few steps on a downward incline and, with a little manoeuvre from the pilot, you’re airborne!
The science...
So how do they stay up there?
Aerofoil shape
Paragliders originally developed from parachuting canopies, although it soon became apparent that the two required very different design criteria. Whilst a parachute has to withstand the incredible stresses of opening in free-fall and enable the pilot to descend at a fairly rapid rate; a paraglider is fully inflated before take-off, launched from the ground and requires a good gliding performance and a slow rate of descent. Once this realisation was made, paragliders began to take on more of the design features of the hang glider with a high-lift aerofoil shape and long slender wings.
Now for the science bit……when a paraglider is fully inflated it forms a solid “wing” which creates lift in the same way as that of a conventional aircraft. In order to fly it must create enough lift to carry its own weight and that of the pilot and any passengers, and it achieves this with “gliding flight”. This means that the wing is constantly flying forwards and downwards through the air and in doing so provides a flow over the aerofoil section.
The pilot controls the wing with a series of suspension lines that are thin, but very strong, in order to minimise drag and weight. These lines converge into “risers” (usually 25mm webbing straps) that are attached to the harness and spread the weight load evenly over the wing. They also provide the pilot with a convenient single point to hold when launching, and channel the control lines down to the pilots’ hands so that he/she can steer. The controls are the equivalent of the brakes and steering wheel of a car and so by turning left and right and into and out of the wind or thermals, the pilot is able to speed up, slow down and gain or lose height. Modern paragliders are made out of super lightweight nylon meaning they can soar effortlessly through the air for hours on end in the right conditions.
Who can do it & what to wear
Flying Tandem
Pretty much anyone can paraglide from little nippers to your granny, as long as they can run approximately 10m. Flying itself does not require much physical effort, (especially if you’re the passenger!), hence why people of all ages and occupations can experience the delights of soaring above the mountain tops with only the birds for company! In La Plagne the main take off areas can be accessed by one of the chair lifts, and from the top, it is usually just a short walk to the take off area.
Clothing is an important factor when flying so you want to wear something that offers a degree of protection from sun/wind/cold etc, even if the weather is hot. Long trousers, a wind proof top, sunglasses and sun cream are essentials, as are good sturdy footwear such as walking boots (with ankle support), which will reduce the chance of slipping on take off or landing.
If this is catching your interest so far, then let us explain the different flying opportunities available in La Plagne...
Plan A : Tandem Flying
Whether paragliding is a sport that you are thinking of taking up and want to know if you’re going to like it; or if you simply want to experience the truly wonderful feeling of flying amongst La Plagne's breathtaking scenery - a tandem flight is the perfect introduction.
When booking a tandem flight, it is best to do so a day or two in advance and try and allow yourself some leeway in case of bad weather. It is not possible to fly in poor weather conditions so if your flight is cancelled for this reason, every effort would be made to reschedule it for the next mutually convenient time. It would be a terrible shame to miss out on the experience because you left it until your last day. The actual timing of your flight will be influenced to a certain extent by your age and size, but only in so much as it is better for children or petite adults to fly earlier in the day when the wind is not as strong. Certain take-off sites are also better at particular times of the day when known weather patterns will be present.
Once you've reached your take off area, the whole process will be clearly and calmly explained and a number of safety checks are carried out before the off. There is no rush at all and sometimes the services of a professional photographer are available at the top to record your big moment! The take off is progressive with no feeling of dropping; it is much more a gentle lift up and away from the ground. Once in the air, very few people feel afraid of the exposure (even vertigo sufferers) as the harness is seated and comfortable and it can feel rather like sitting on a plane (albeit with the windows open!) rather than being on the edge of a cliff.
Ready for the off
Starting to inflate
Fully inflated
Off, off…
…..and away!!
As the passenger, you can choose how you want to fly, usually moving around the mountain to get different views and perspectives instead of circling over the one spot. Don’t forget your camera!! Ensure that it has a strap on it so that it can be securely attached to the harness leaving you free to snap away and not worry about dropping it should you fancy taking the controls yourself for a while. The landing is also a gradual affair due to the excellent manoeuvrability of the wing; you may need to run a few steps but it is usually gentle and certainly less dramatic than a parachute landing. Friends and family can wait for you at the landing area (or see you off at the top if you prefer) and you have time to relax and talk to your pilot once back on terra firma.
The whole activity normally takes about an hour with the flight itself lasting about 20 minutes. Sometimes, it is possible for a group of you to fly at the same time so you can normally take photos of each other in the air as the pilots will endeavour to fly you close to one another. Flights cost from around €90 per person (+ lift ticket) although reduced prices may be available for large groups.
Tandem flights are possible any day of the year……..weather permitting….. and that includes the winter! Flying in winter is actually no colder than skiing and in fact conditions are often more stable in the winter months making it an ideal time to take to the air. The launch is generally done on foot although it can be possible to take off on skis by special request and therefore miss the end of day rush to get off the mountain!
All flight schools have strict safety standards to meet and equipment must be checked and maintained regularly. It takes many, many hours of flying to qualify as a tandem pilot so you can rest assured that you will be in highly qualified hands!
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