Every summer, thousands of people take off from the summit of Golden's Mount Seven - into the magical world of silent, unpowered flight, 1000m/3000ft above the valley floor. Pilots from all over the world come here, looking for the thermals that make it possible to fly record-breaking distances. Experienced pilots regularly achieve cross-country flights in excess of 100km/62mi. For the rest of us, the challenge might be more personal in nature. It takes a certain character to step out into thin air with nothing but a fabric wing to keep them from heading straight down.
Learn more about Para-gliding in Golden, courtesy of Tourism Golden Paragliding Trips for Beginners Paragliding may not be for everyone, but anyone can fly in Golden. Altitude Adventures offers flights for complete novices. Flying tandem, with a fully qualified pilot in control, all you have to worry about is following instructions and enjoying the ride. On a good day, with lots of updraft, it's possible to climb well above the mountaintops. Packages include all instruction and equipment, and the unforgettable experience of flying in this spectacular mountain setting. How does Tandem Paragliding work? A paraglider is essentially an inflatable wing that is open before leaving the launch site. Both pilot and passenger are strapped into harnesses and given instruction. The pilot pulls the wing up into position, and take off is accomplished by running just a few steps down the slope. Practical Points Dress warmly, since temperatures at high elevations can be quite cool. Minimum requirements are sturdy shoes, a jacket and long pants. Bring a camera. The maximum weight for passengers on tandem flights is 95kg/210lbs. Typically, a tandem flight covers a distance of about 7km/4mi, and will last between 15 and 20 minutes. Note that paragliding is entirely weather dependent, and that the decision to fly or not will be made at the launch site by your pilot. The flying season starts in late May, when the access road to the Lookout launch site is clear of snow, and wraps up in late October.