Flying a hang glider gives an unparalleled sense of freedom,
feeling the movements of the air across your body by using only the
wind's force to stay aloft. For 15 minutes Experience the pure flying
sensation, that is hang-gliding........
Hang Gliding is a
daytime flying mountain activity this means that Hang Gliding can only
operate when the weather conditions are right for flying and during ski
lift opening and closing times. The first flight is around 0930hrs
allowing time to catch the first lift in order to get to the departure
site on time. With the last flight around 1600hrs allowing enough time to
get back to Courchevel after the flight has finished.
From Courchevel 1850's main lift area you will need to catch
Verdons cable car (bubble lift). At the top you will need to collect your
skis and walk across the snow to the Vizelle bubble car which will be
directly in front of you. At the top of the Vizelle bubble you will need
to put your skis on, turn right and ski straight forward as if you were
skiing to Meribel. You will meet the Hang Gliding pilot at the Chalet des
Pilotes (the last wooden hut on the right hand side that will have a Hang Glider out side).
Hire a Whitetracks Host to ski with you for ½ or a full day, they will
meet you at a pre-prescribed meeting point at the time requested. They
will ski with you taking you to some of the best snow and runs in the
Courchevel Valley or even the three valleys and will make sure that you
get to the activity on time. Whitetracks Host
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Hang Gliding - OPERATION / LEVELS / DURATION / format
5-10
minutes sorting equipment and returning to takeoff point via lift
.
You should arrive
to meet the pilot 5-10 minutes before the requested time. The pilot might
keep you waiting but PLEASE do not keep them waiting. If you need to
catch lifts to in order to get to the meeting point please allow time for
lift queues and time to travel up on the lift.
.
When you first
arrive the pilot will provide you with the harness, he will then put it
on you making sure that it is all fitted correctly. Once you are in the
harness he will collect the Hang Glider and place it in its take off
position on the edge of the run next to the steep slope, he will then
call you over. Carrying your skis or snow board he will put you in the
correct position you will then need to put your skis or snowboard on. The
pilot will then attach your harness to his and the Hang Glider ready for
takeoff.
.
After a short brief
you put your left arm around the waist of the pilot and put your right
hand across your body holding onto the pilots right elbow. The pilot will
then pick up the Hang Glider, when ready you will both edge forward until
you start heading down the steep slope in front of you. After a few
meters traveled you and the Hang Glider will lift off the ground and will
be airborne.
.
Once airborne, the
pilot holds the base bar and controls the glider by moving his body
weight relative to the glider. Moving to the left initiates a left hand
turn and vice-versa. Speed is varied by pulling the pilot's weight
forwards to go faster and backwards to slow down. The pilot will cater
the flight to the passenger needs providing a gentle flight for the
nervous client and an exciting flight for the thrill seekers amongst you.
.
When landing, the
pilot will push forward on the base bar which in turn moves both of your
bodies weight backwards opening up the glider above you forcing it to
push against the wind causing the hang glider to be slowed to the point
where it comes to a complete stop as the pilot reaches the ground.
epilepsy,
fits, Heart deficiencies , Vertebral
problems or Pregnant women
.
The pilot will
adapt each flight to the excitement threshold of each individual
passenger. If you are confident the pilot may perform some aerobatics -
if not just ask.
The Hang Gliding
pilot / instructor will supply a harness and will make sure that it is
fitted correctly for you before you take part in the Hang Gliding
activity. For some reason you are not supplied with a helmet - If you
wish to wear one PLEASE bring a ski helmet with you to take part.
Due to the Hang
Gliding being a daytime mountain activity you should already be correctly
dressed to take part. Unfortunately if you are on skis you will need to
leave your poles at the top of the mountain at the takeoff point. If you
are skiing with friends and don't wish to come back up the mountain to
collect your poles it is advisable to get a friend to ski down to the
bottom with your poles. If a friend takes your poles to the bottom you
will be free to continue skiing from where you landed without the need to
go back to the takeoff site this gives you the flexibility to be able to
ski somewhere different for the rest of the day.
Tandem Hang Gliders
are only able to carry one passenger at a time. Unfortunately, there is
only one available pilot / instructor in Meribel or the three valleys. If
there is a small group of you wishing to take part in the activity at the
same time it is impossible. For a small group to take part we would need
you to go one after the other.
Base bar: the bar which the pilot holds in flight.
Battens: aluminum "ribs" inserted into the
hang glider sail to give shape to the wing.
Flare: the manoeuvre performed to land a hang glider
when the wing is deliberately stalled to halt all forward motion as
the pilot reaches the ground.
Variometer/Vario: instrument measuring rate of climb or
descent. It has a visual display, but also an audio function so the
pilot does not need to see the dial. The pitch of the tone increases
with the climb rate.
Wave: this phenomenon occurs only in certain conditions
when the wind is forced upwards over a hill or mountain and is then
amplified by the next mountain setting up a standing wave. Large
height gains are possible in wave conditions.
.
A hang glider
allows the pilot to fly around in ridge lift on a hill, take the
occasional thermal to gain height or leave the hill and fly
cross-country. A hang glider's speed and performance allow many hours of
air time and big distances to be flown.
