Paragliding

A few powerful strides and suddenly the ground falls away as the wing lifts you from the earth. Paragliding is pure freedom and offers a whole new perspective: experience Åre from above.

Paragliders spend entire summer holidays in Åre doing what they love most – flying, flying, and flying again. And, of course, enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded adventurers. For a paraglider, that instant when your feet leave the ground marks the start of a new journey, a fresh experience. Distance pilots aim to fly far, harnessing rising thermals to leave Åre behind. Acro pilots soar above Lake Åresjön, safely practising their tricks over the water. Others simply fly for fun, building airtime and honing their skills.

As Sweden’s very best destination for mountain paragliding, Åre has attracted some of the country’s top pilots to settle here. Many of them are happy to take visitors on tandem flights, giving you the chance to sit under the same wing and share the feeling of soaring freely from the mountain down to the landing site at Draklanda, on the shores of Lake Åresjön.

Try Paragliding in Åre

Thanks to experienced and knowledgeable guides, you have the chance to experience Åre from high above – or give someone else the opportunity. And if you catch the paragliding bug, there are also companies offering training and introductory courses.

Paragliding in Åre – A Short History

The Åre Hang- and Paragliding Club was founded back in 1975. At that time it was solely a hang-gliding club, since paragliding hadn’t yet been invented. In 1988, the Åre Paragliding Club was formed, but as both sports share much in common – using the same launch sites and the same landing zones – the two clubs eventually merged in 1995. Today, the club has around 130 members.

Every year, several hundred Swedish and Norwegian pilots visit Åre to fly. The spring thermals in March and April are especially popular, and summer is peak season for both courses and acro pilots. Flying is possible here year-round, but at certain times you may need to hike up the mountain for a flight (for example in May, after the ski lifts have closed but before the summer season has begun).

Paragliding Facts

The biggest difference between a tandem wing and a solo wing is the size of the canopy itself. When flying tandem, both pilot and passenger sit in their own harness: the pilot in the back, steering, and the passenger in front, simply soaking up the view.

Wings are certified and classified for different categories and levels of flying. A tandem wing is essentially based on beginner wings – safe, stable, and easy to launch and land. Solo wings range from entry-level models to advanced competition wings (paragliding’s very own Formula 1). The right wing for you depends on your licence level, experience, and the type of flying you want to do.

All wings must also carry a reserve parachute – just in case.