Aerial Sports in the United States: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

The immense size and diversity of the United States means there are plenty of great spots for all sorts of aerial sport adventures.

Many beginners and people who want to get into paralpinism and paragliding head to the San Jacinto Mountains, just east of Los Angeles, to learn about paragliding and enjoy practicing the sport with a stunning backdrop. Courses range from a single day to an entire week and prepare perspective gliders for exciting times in the sky.

Colorado’s Glenwood Canyon is another great spot for novice and first-time paragliders. Sailing above the rugged canyon, enjoying incredible views of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains, there are few better places to learn a sport for the first time.

Away from these two prime locations, Hawaii; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Idaho’s Sun Valley; and Point Mountain in Utah all attract paralpinists each summer to go out on some great climbing and enjoy incredibly exciting and scenic descents.

Stunning scenery

From the snow-capped peaks of the Colorado Rockies to the rugged coastal range boasting views over the ocean in southern California, there are plenty of beautiful parts of the country also perfectly suited for aerial sports. Climb through thick forests and above stunning desserts before sailing through the air and seeing this stunning landscape from above.

Plenty of places to choose from

The United States is the fourth largest country in the world and boasts numerous mountain ranges, which means there are plenty of unique aerial sports hotspots to choose from. Whether it is learning to paraglide on the California coast or jumping from the slopes of Mt. Haleakala and gliding over the ocean, there are no shortage for adventures of every aptitude.

Combine adventures

Paralpinism, which is the combination of mountain climbing and paragliding, combines two incredible outdoor adventures. Boasting plenty of massive mountains throughout the country, which serve as great starting points for paragliding, the U.S. is one of the best places in which to combine adventures and climb up an epic mountain peak before gliding back down from the summit.

The western United States experiences hot and dry summers, especially in mountainous areas such as Colorado and southern California. Springs and autumns in these two areas tend to be warm and a bit wetter, but still mostly dry. Winter weather in southern California is generally warm.

This largely depends on where you are heading. From trips to Colorado, it is best to fly into Denver International Airport (DEN). For trips to southern California, it is best to fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). From both of these spots, it is easiest to rent a car and drive to your final destination.

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June to September in most places, but trips are available year-round in southern California