First part of the training : Ground handling and training hill

Ground handling and training hill lessons are given individually, or you can buddy with another student and share one instructor. The advantage is sharing the cost of an instructor (you should either have your own gear or plan an extra for the second gear rental) .

The first lessons in the paraglider training program are dedicated to the discovery of the gear and the wing while learning the basics of handling of the glider on the ground and in the wind. This step is relativally short but is essential. You generally need 2 or 3 lessons to have all you need to master the elements in this first part of the training.

The next lessons focus on practicing launching and landing. At DVL, we have a 60 foot training hill, specially designed for the learning of paragling and hang gliding. The key elements in this part of the training are: Glider control, the launching, piloting the glider and landing. These lessons will take you to your first few seconds of flight, and prepare you for your first solo winch launched and mountain launched flights. Ususally 4 or 5 lessons on the training hill are required to end this first part. You can also, if you chose to, take a tandem flight at altitude with an instructor to practice manouvers, although this is generally not a requirement. Solo practice on the ground and on the training hill between lessons is strongly reccomended in order to rapidly progress.

Second part of the training : Winch launching

When your instructor feels you’ve mastered the first part, you’ll be ready to complete your solo flights. The basic requirements are the same as on the hang glider: you need 30 solo flights assisted by an instructor. Your first flights will be in the afternoon at the tow field (cable launch system) or in the morning or eavening for the mountain flights when the air is smooth, to fly long and reassuring flights. For the mountain flights, two instructors are assigned from the summet and the landing zone, keeping constant radio contact with the student for guidance during the launch, the flight and landing. Once you’ve assimilated basic manouvers in calm air, you can start flying in mid-day. These day flights, called thermal flights, let you discover soaring in rising air, to understand its rules and how we can use thermals to fly higher, longer and eventually further using no other source of power.

Although most of the training is practical and that you cover theory as you go along, an « in class » theoretical cours of a minimum of 8 hours is required for the novice rating for paragliding. This training covers varied subjects such as meteorology, theory of flight, air regulations, security and aerodynamics ect...

When the student is capable of flying in different meteorological conditions, he is then considered by his instructor to be autonomus and able to fly solo. The instructor then signs off the student and authorises him to fly solo.

The cost of the training for the novice rating varies between 1600$ and 1800$ (plus tax) depending on the students progress. (Check the « Rates » section for different programs).

All gear is supplied by DVL for the time of the training. Once you’ve graduated you’ll need to get your own gear as you cannot rent paragliding gear.

To keep flying with your own gear, we can help you select the best gear for you with a selection of the best brands and models.  

We are open daily for ground, training hill and altitude flights. 

Ground handling and training hill lessons are given at your availability. We recommend reserving 1 week ahead to make sure you get the schedule of your choice.

Paraglider and hang glider training is essentially the same. The goal is to obtain a novice rating from the Canadian Hanggliding and Paragliding Association (HPAC), in order to fly solo here and all over the world.

We always recommend you call to check for weather conditions before coming to the school for your lessons.