Most people see Utah’s mountains and simply stop to admire them, towering peaks drenched in light, worthy of postcards and quiet awe. But for a daring (and growing) few, these Wasatch Back “hills” aren’t just scenery—they’re a playground, a proving ground, and the perfect launchpad for paragliders!
My introduction to these thrill-seekers found me huffing and puffing up PC Hill (named for the massive cement letters “PC” that sprawl hundreds of feet across its face), on a brisk hike right before sunset. As I crested the top, I was met with a group of guys examining a wind sock and crossing their fingers that conditions would be just right for an exciting flight back down to the ground. The windsock—a large, silky pouch permanently fixed to the hilltop—snapped in the breeze, its tail pointing southwest. Perfect. They quickly unpacked their speed wings and started to get strapped in, donning safety helmets (complete with a very cool 360° camera) and harnesses. One by one, they launched and flew through the air, expertly maneuvering, zig-zagging around until touching down at the base of the hill. I timed the first pilot, from the time he said “launching” to the time he had both feet on the ground, and it was a total of 43 seconds. Those wings certainly do live up to their name. After climbing down the hill and watching the pilots glide effortlessly through the air, I learned a wealth of fascinating things about paragliding, shared by some of the most spirited people I’ve ever met.
Utahns on the other side of the Wasatch Mountains are quite acquainted with seeing paragliders. You might have seen them yourself, as they soar around the Point of the Mountain. With its sweeping landscapes and steady thermals, Utah offers paragliding conditions that rank among the best in the world. Aaron Simmons, one of the pilots I met, is young, adventurous, and very passionate about paragliding. He described the local paragliding scene, “living in Utah, getting into the sport is really, really accessible, I would say, unlike anywhere else.” Like with most hobbyists, paragliders enjoy sharing their love of the sport and encouraging others to join in the fun. “You could go down to the Point of the Mountain flight park on any day of the week, as long as it’s not a thunderstorm, you could show up there and get a tandem ride.” Aaron and his brother, Ben, have been flying for over four years. Ben describes what he loves most about the sport, something he calls the flow state: “You can’t really think about anything else, apart from exactly what you’re doing in that very moment.” Ironically, a very grounding thought.
In addition to PC Hill, Nick, Ben, and Aaron have been gliding around a beautifully maintained sight in Oakley as well as Jupiter Peak, and the views are spectacular! While paragliding can take place year-round, all three agreed that autumn is their favorite season to fly. The cooler air brings gentler shifts in flight conditions—but more than that, the views are unmatched, with the mountains ablaze in color. Nick remarked, “The coolest thing about flying in the fall is the fall leaves, the colors, and being able to see it from a different perspective than most people do… makes the world feel smaller, I think.” Aaron described the site they fly off Jupiter Peak as world famous; in fact, it is a USHPA-insured site. Paragliding at Jupiter Peak is a world apart from flying at PC Hill. Here, pilots use wings built for longevity and distance, allowing them to stay aloft for hours. From that vantage point, the sweeping views of mountains and forests are nothing short of spectacular. Aaron excitedly described, “The Alpine Loop is up there in Jupiter, it’s so popular, tons of people are there to see the trees. So, you could just picture seeing it from 13,000 feet up above Park City.”
Regardless of where they fly, this group of friends tries to get in a few good flights every day. The evening I spent with them on PC Hill, they were able to get two “laps” in, hiking up the mountain and soaring right back down, fly and repeat until the weather or light stopped them from doing so. Nick Carusi, another flyer, described this location as their “training hill.” “It’s a pretty short hill with a grassy runway; it’s kind of the perfect place to practice.” A training hill indeed. Just before the trio took to the air, a newer paraglider named Jack was attempting a takeoff. With only a handful of flights under his belt, he was airborne by his second try. Aaron was quick to the rescue when Jack’s first attempt ended sideways, being toppled by the wind with his feet up in the air. Aaron dispensed some quick advice and directed him where it might have gone wrong. Ardent cheers and accolades rang out as Jack made it off the hill and quickly glided to the ground below. The whole experience felt very fraternal. Ben described folks who paraglide as a very tight-knit community. In Aaron’s view, the camaraderie comes naturally—born from the sport’s inherent risks and the good nature of those who work together to keep each other safe.
The pilots could not stress enough that paragliding is a very safe and regulated venture, “a lot of people just see a crazy person flying through the sky. I’m on a certified aircraft; it’s not this crazy thing someone made in their garage.” Each pilot received a rating from the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) ranging from beginner to master pilot, distinguishing them and their ability to command the various paragliding wings. Additional information on ratings and paragliding can be found on ushpa.org. More than anything, Nic, Ben, and Aaron wanted me to educate people about the sport, to let readers know how fun and safe it is. Aaron finished by saying, “This is something that’s not as scary as you might think it would be. Check it out, whether that be riding with a professional, doing a tandem, or taking your first lesson and feeling it out under your own guidance, because it is that safe, you can just go do this.” These pilots are very excited about the future of paragliding in the Wasatch Back. There’s so much untapped potential; one day, they hope that there will be sites all over this side of the mountain with paragliders enjoying the beauty the area has to offer.
Want to take that ‘leap’ and learn to Paraglide?
There are several schools that offer paragliding lessons, training, and certification in or near Wasatch and Summit counties.
For more information about these schools and contact details visit: uhgpga.org/learn-to-fly
In the US it is not legally required to have a license to paraglide. However, most flying sites require pilots to have the appropriate United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) certification (like the P2 rating) to ensure safe and responsible flying.
