Alpine Paragliding Centre - Mont Blanc

27/10/2024

Nice afternoon at Passy Lake, one of our winter landing and ground handling sites..

02/10/2024

Now into October and Autumn is definately here, and so far much wetter than in previous years. It still remains flyable most days so can't complain, and its as busy as ever here.

The flying year has had very mixed conditions, really good for beginners and low airtime pilots and more challenging for those looking at high and long flights.

Hopefully the damp weather will pass soon and leave us with our normal clear and sunny weather.

12/09/2024

The new Valleen ski lift from our local village just 3 minutes by car is open and included on our Chamonix unlimited ski pass, though this is not mentioned on the ski lift information. The lift comfortable and quiet and a bonus for local skiers. The views from the lift are good.

05/09/2024

Another hot summer passes, the European holidays have all but finished and the valley has quietened down, For the moment autumn has arrived with rain and cooler days, but I expect that won't last and temperatures will rise again.

The flying season has been good, but not exceptional. There have been many good flyable days suiting more the new and early pilots. Good for thermalling practice and racking up airtime. The high XC'able days have been few and far between but good when they were available.

Close to us a new telecabine has opened now taking folk up into the mountains directly from our lower valley floor. The 'Valeen Lift' in Le Fayet/Saint Gervais links into the excellent Saint Gervais and Megeve ski areas. The lift has been put in place to ease the winter ski traffic from the already busy narrow access roads and limited parking during the busy periods! Have to see if it works or will folk still drive up into the mountains!

20/06/2024

Hi everyone, sorry for the lack of posts this spring/early summer. Unfortunately I have been out of action due to some serious stomach surgery I had in early May. So no working/flying since then. I am on the mend and should be back in action by August.

The Alpine flying Centre school has been on hold since then, but our shop is still open.

The spring weather has been very mixed, mainly cool with precipitation, rain and snow extending the ski season in the upper resorts.

Suprisingly there has been a lot of flying but not many spectacular days. Its been perfect for the schools, the beginners and new pilots with the lack of strong thermic days but plenty of smooth days for more gentle flying.

Summer is still struggling to show itself, but the forecasts are showing a threat of it arriving shortly!

20/04/2024

Lovely day in the mountains

16/04/2024

The new Advance Lightness 4 harness
LIGHTNESS 4
Like the LIGHTNESS 3, only better: the successor of "The" pod harness classic offers even more comfort, easier handling and a sportier look. The fourth generation of the all-round pod harness remains the perfect companion for long and relaxed cross-country flights.

LIGHTNESS 4 - New seat geometry using 3D body scans to increase its comfort even further. The visual redesign, including the aerodynamic fairing, completes the sporty look and feel.
Here are the first quick facts:
• redesigned seat shell
• maximum comfort
• new aerodynamic look
• moderate fairing
• >35% more storage space
• 3.47 kg (size M)
https://www.advance.swiss/en/products/harnesses/lightness-4/
We expect first deliveries of the LIGHTNESS 4 from May 2024.

OUR PRICE 1946.50 Euros (retail 2290.00, saving you 343.50€ )
Don't forget for none EU residents we can de-tax this saving another 20%, making it only 1622.33 Euros.
We are taking orders now..

03/04/2024

Lovely contrast in the mountains yesterday

11/03/2024

Advance Theta EN-B lightweight Hike and XC glider coming very soon. The first customer gliders are due from early May.
We are taking orders now. All sizes 5190.00 Euros. We can offer a very attractive pricing package with good discounts including de-taxing the 20% TVA for non EU clients. Please don't hesitate to contact us.
See the details here.
https://www.advance.swiss/en/products/paragliders/theta-uls

10/03/2024

Winter has returned for the moment and we are experiencing quite good snowfall above 1500m keeping the skiing areas refreshed.
Shame about the lack of flying at the moment!

28/02/2024

Local flying

Paragliding EPC and CPC beginner training, thermalling and fly guiding in France

22/02/2024

The new Advance Lightness 4 due in the spring. Looks great, we can't wait? More details coming soon...

LIGHTNESS 4
The LIGHTNESS series is known for its high level of comfort, making it the preferred equipment for many XC pilots. For the new LIGHTNESS 4, we’ve been working on improving the seat geometry using 3D body scans to increase its comfort even further. The visual redesign, including the aerodynamic fairing, completes the sporty look and feel.
Here are the first quick facts:
• redesigned seat shell
• maximum comfort
• new aerodynamic look
• moderate fairing
• >35% more storage space
• 3.47 kg (size M)
We expect first deliveries of the LIGHTNESS 4 from May 2024. More technical details to follow soon on our website.

14/02/2024

Its like spring here! 16c today in our valley.

There's been good flying for a few weeks and recently there were a few days of extremely good thermic conditions and pilots from Chamonix were topping out at just under 3000m.

The snow then was pretty good so we were skiing.

The high season holidays have started and the ski areas are busy. In the lower resorts the snow is frozen in the morning and slushy in the afternoon. In the upper areas the conditions are now bad, but we could really do with some good snowfall.

31/01/2024

Waiting for a face breeze before trying to launch through difficult snow at Les Houches launch. Nice views of Chamonix valley!

30/01/2024

Nice flying in Chamonix on Monday.

27/01/2024

There's been some lovely snow conditions recently and with sunny beautiful weather. Cold at night and mild in the afternoons. Icy skiing though!
Gillian took these photos the other day at St Gervais.
It's been flyable most days but the skiing has had the edge.