Several companies, including Skytrek, operate tandem hang gliding trips departing from Queenstown.
Skytrek’s hang gliding and paragliding excursions operate from Coronet Peak, a 20-minute drive outside Queenstown. Coronet Peak is New Zealand’s highest commercial paragliding and hang gliding launch site, which means that you get better views and a longer flight.
In both instances you get a tandem flight with an experienced pilot so you don’t need any experience to try this exhilarating sport, although it is also possible to have instructional hang glider flights if you’re interested in the techniques involved in hang gliding.
Although both hang gliding and paragliding offer a similar experience, hang gliding is generally thought to be more fun. Hang gliders can handle stronger wind and they can also fly in more turbulent conditions. While hang gliders can fly almost as slow as paragliders, they are able to fly much faster and much further. Although hang gliding is thought of as a more exhilarating sport than paragliding, it is also considered safer.