History of Paragliding in Whistler, April 19, 2017

[Harry Siempelkamp]

If you skied Blackcomb in the late 1980s and ‘90s, you may have seen the brightly coloured paragliders spread out on a run and watched as beginners and experienced pilots took off on their skis and soared down the mountain above you.

Operating in both the summer and winter months, Parawest Paragliding offered tandem flights for those wishing to simply experience flight and one-day beginner courses for those looking to fly themselves.

Students began at basecamp with an introduction to the harness, described by one as sitting in a Jolly Jumper, before gradually learning the steps to flying on the hill and ending the day having taken two or three short flights.

Janet and Joris recently donated several videotapes of media coverage of Parawest Paragliding and local paragliding events to our archives. Including media interviews with Whistler locals, stunning views of the Whistler valley in the ‘80s and ‘90s and coverage of Parawest’s Annual Meet and Costume Events, these tapes are currently being digitized. They provide a great visual when discussing paragliding in Whistler.

On Wednesday (April 19) the museum will be welcoming Janet and Joris Moschard, as well as other paragliding pioneers in the area, to share tales, knowledge and footage from their 30 years of flying over Whistler as part of our Speaker Series.

Doors will open for the event at 6 p.m. and their talk will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Whistler Museum.