A Guide to Year-End Adventures
South America
Argentina
Bariloche - Fly the Andes and fly with condors. The XC possibilities will take you to wild, remote, and scenic places. It is best from December - March
La Cumbre - Cuchi Corral is one of the main sites in northern Argentina, and here it’s normal to fly with condors, but there are plenty of other sites in the area that also offer airtime with the big bird October - December is best, but flying happens here all year round.
Traslasierra - One of the best flyable places in the country, with thermals and XC possible almost every day in season. Winter sees mild conditions, but still flyable a claimed 90% of the time. Post-frontal days in winter are reportedly classic. August to December is the best time to go flying XC, but January/February are very good too.
Brazil
Caçapava do Sul - XC flying is best November - January and record flights happen here. Bonus - check out Sapiranga too! There are some extremely long days and flying here is easier as the conditions are mellower than the northeast part of the country.
Rio de Janeiro - Take off in a tropical forest, land on the beach, and if conditions align then fly XC to the famous statue of Christ. This is a place you can go anytime of the year to fly but it’s best in spring and summer.
Colombia
Bucaramanga - Year-round, reliable flying perfect for new pilots looking to hone their thermalling skills and log airtime. With The Nest hostel just two minutes from launch, pilots can enjoy a laid-back atmosphere and convenient access to scenic ridge soaring and consistent thermals throughout the day.
Peru
.Lima - Unique urban flying from a grassy cliffside park in Miraflores, with soaring opportunities above the Pacific Ocean and the city's bustling streets. Best for scenic coastal flights, pilots can enjoy views of Lima's sprawling skyline.
North America
USA
Phoenix, Arizona - Most sites are mountain thermal flying sites and the winter provides some of the best conditions for pilots.
Santa Barbara, California - The 4000′ high south facing Santa Ynez Mountain range is home to a number of convenient, scenic and soarable mountain launch sites that are within a glide to the beach. The close proximity of these thermal sites to the ocean provides for some of the smoothest thermal soaring you’ll find anywhere. The offshore winds that shut down most sites in Southern California often are blocked by our local mountains. There are also coastal ridge soaring sites, some suitable for novice pilots, and inland sites for big-air desert flying
Salt Lake City, Utah - The peaks may be covered in snow but the famous Point of the Mountain and some lower elevation hike and flys are consistent for flying this time of year.
Mexico
Valle de Bravo - This is the most consistent flying site in the world while in season November - February. It includes mountain, flatland and convergence lift flying. Known for its paragliding competitions and thermal perfection.
Zaachila - It's known as one of the best flying sites in Mexico, with a top-drivable launch, a large grassy take off and a lush semi-tropical landscape.
Oceania Region
Australia
Bright - One of Australia’s best and most accessible flying sites. House thermals set you up for interesting XC routes from October to April and the southern winter flying is good too! Outlandings and retrieves are easy here.
Manilla - Safe, easy and relaxing XC for all levels of pilot. Astroturfed launches for every wind direction. The weather is reliable and there are XC routes in all directions. October - April are most consistent.
Sydney - Several paragliding sites dot the northern beaches and western hills around Sydney, but it is Stanwell Park in the south that is most famous. Stanwell Park offers world class coastal flying along “a beautiful stretch” of coast between Sydney and Wollongong
New Zealand
Queenstown - New Zealand's Queenstown Lakes region offers world-class paragliding with stunning alpine scenery, XC routes, and diverse flying experiences from accessible sites like Coronet Peak and Treble Cone. Best flown from November to March, it’s a must-visit for pilots seeking mountain adventures, reliable thermals, and a welcoming flying community.
Wanaka - Mountain flying with strong thermals, stunning views of glacier country, and XC potential to iconic peaks like Mount Cook. Best flown from January to March for consistent weather or October to November for more dynamic skies, it’s a must-visit for adventurous pilots seeking alpine flying.
Europe
France
Greolieres - A charming Provençal village less than an hour from Nice, offers year-round flying with a sunny microclimate and take-offs ranging from 300m to 1,740m. With stunning views of the Cheiron mountain and nearby XC opportunities in Gourdon and Col de Bleyne, it’s a must-visit for pilots of all abilities.
Monaco
Roquebrune - This is the final checkpoint for the famous XALPS race. You can soar with possible XC flying above the Mediterranean villas of the super-rich and then land on a beautiful beach. Then put some money on red like James Bond in the famous Casino Monte Carlo.
Portugal
Madeira - An island in the Atlantic, offers year-round coastal soaring with breathtaking views and a warm subtropical climate. Best flown at Arco da Calheta, the island's premier site, it’s perfect for experienced pilots looking for dynamic or relaxed flying and beach landings.
Spain
Algodonales - Sitting beneath the Sierra de Lijar in southern Spain, is a paragliding hotspot perfect for beginners and XC addicts alike. Best flown from March to May or September to October for big flights, it’s also ideal year-round for training and progression.
Andalucia - Year-round flying with diverse sites ranging from the Sierra Nevada mountains to coastal locations like Almuñécar, where big XC flights often end at the sea. It features over 20 established sites, good thermals and a mix of desert-like plains and olive-covered hills. With excellent infrastructure and a vibrant flying community, it’s a top destination for pilots of all levels.
Canary Islands - Enjoy year-round flying conditions on these volcanic islands but October to April is best.
La Palma - With fewer tourists and excellent local guiding services, it’s an ideal destination for pilots seeking variety and peace.
Tenerife - There are over 30 take-offs on the island, offering everything from gentle soaring to strong thermals.
El Hierro - The island is small and you can get everywhere in half an hour, but you’ll find the main launches in the Golfo Valley with various take-offs up to 1,200m.
Switzerland
Mürren - Located in the Lauterbrunnen valley providing incredibly scenic flights with views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks while descending massive cliffs into the beautiful Lauterbrunnen valley.
Salève - Just 30 minutes from Geneva, offers scenic flying with views of Jura, the alps, and lake Geneva.
Africa
Kenya
Kerio Valley - The Elgeyo Escarpment forms part of the western wall of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, and overlooks the 80 km-long Kerio Valley over 1,000m below. The result is a perfect flying ridge with consistent flying from December to February. This should be for
intermediate pilots and above as
bombing out can mean long, hot walks
out with very minimal search and rescue.
South Africa
Cape Town - Stunning coastal flying with iconic launches like Lion’s Head, panoramic views of the Atlantic, and the chance to soar near Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles. Best flown from November to March.
Porterville - A premier XC destination with strong thermals, expansive flatlands, and a 100km ridge offering big flights from November to March. With well-established launches, reliable weather, and guiding services, it’s perfect for pilots seeking big distances and challenging desert flying.
South Asia
Nepal
Bandipur - Ridge-soaring with daily reliable winds and stunning views of the Himalayas, including 8,000m Makalu. Best flown from October to April, it’s perfect for big flights over lush jungles and as a peaceful stopover between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Sirkot - Escape the crowds of Pokhara and explore this hidden gem southwest of the city, developed by Everest adventurer Babu Sunuwar, offering a resort and a spacious grassy launch. Best flown from October to December or February to May, it features thermic conditions, safe valley flying, and the unforgettable experience of soaring above misty Himalayan valleys at sunrise.
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