If you're considering taking up this unique sport I highly recommend this school. After a lifelong desire to fly, I recently joined Seattle Paragliding. Marc and his wife Lan work as a team to train new pilots and are both genuinely enthusiastic and dedicated to the sport. This school has dozens of active pilots ranging from beginner to very experienced (all ages) and I have really appreciated their camaraderie and advice. It feels like I've joined a family. One of my favorite things about this experience has been Marc's extensive use of video footage as a training tool. At the end of the day I am able to review my takeoffs and landings and this has proved to be very helpful. I am also able to take these home with me for my own records. Marc has really embraced new technology including Twitter which he uses to keep all of us up to date with the latest conditions and news. Learning to paraglide has been an incredibly positive and empowering experience for me. I'm still blown away by the fact that I can hike up a mountain and actually fly down. On my fourth solo flight I caught my first thermal and soared to 3000 feet! It was exhilarating. Seattle Paragliding has been a very positive experience for me and I would recommend this school to anyone thinking about learning to fly. read more

One tandem flight and I was hooked. Jared my tandem pilot gave me control of the glider 2 mins into the flight and had me flew for the entire duration of the flight. Jared instructed me on how to land. It was surprisingly not difficult. Wow!! Signed up for the lessons with Marc after we landed. After a second tandem, I flew solo with all the gears supplied by Seattle Paragliding. The solo fight was even better than the tandem flights, the feeling of soaring like an eagle feel so free. I'm addicted to flying now! Marc and the Chirico team are very passionate and treat me like a family member. As a student, we don't have to use the Honey Bucket at the LZ, instead we have access to clean bathroom at Seattle Paragliding. Marc and team Chirico has the best set up in the area with the awesome barn set up, training hill, and the rest of the facility. No other paragliding school has such facility. read more

I highly recommend Seattle Paragliding if you're looking for a fun activity or adrenaline rush. Perfect spot to fly with friends, and great service. You're practically part of the family! read more

I had the BEST experience with Seattle Paragliding. Marc was extremely accommodating and attentive when helping me book my flight and asking questions. My boyfriend and I decided we wanted to hike up to the top instead of taking the shuttle and they were more than happy to give us our tutorials before the scheduled time and offered us complimentary refreshments upon arriving and leaving. My instructor Cody was so nice and made me feel very safe and prepared for our take off. My boyfriend's instructor Frank was also amazing and they were able to do some fun acrobatics during the flight. I was initially nervous from some of the reviews saying they didn't get enough time in the air, but you have to understand that it's all based on the weather conditions. We had favorable weather and were up there for what felt like the perfect amount of time. Worth every penny for this unforgettable experience!!! The facilities are amazing and we were encouraged to check out the cool amenities they had to offer. The environment is causal and comfortable and we had an amazing time with these great people that offer such a unique experience. Highly recommend!!! read more

Seattle Paragliding is an awesome place with great people! Pilots are down to earth and easy to talk to. If you are looking for a long flight I would suggest calling ahead first and getting an idea of the conditions. Unfortunately they can't control thermal activity, so you get what you get on that day. read more

Did not paraglide, but I did leave my phone at Poo Poo Point and the team at Seattle Paragliding was kind enough to look for it for me. They found it and saved my life. It was super nice and they did not have to, so I really appreciate it and if I ever decide to paraglide this will be my first stop. read more

Love this place-trusted them enough to fly my daughter and 3 separate tandems and each was a great success. It is a busy place because there is great training beforehand and a great experience. There was cafe taken towards safety as well, which made her feel comfortable each time. She wants to go again! read more

This place is a joke. After dealing with them for a few minutes I was done. Don't waste your money here. Poor service and all they care about is your money. read more

I was given unanimous recommendations from friends and locals to work with Marc and Team Chirico at Seattle Paragliding for my first experience. My sister and I heard the weather would be ideal and decided to give it a try. From the first conversation I had with Marc, I could tell he was extremely passionate about making sure we had a great experience. His facility is right next to the landing field, and they run a very professional and safety-oriented operation. Marc and his wife run the business themselves which, like most small businesses, seems to have more work than hands. However, unlike other reviewers, I found them to be extremely organized and easy to work with. They have walky talkies on the mountain, the ground, and on each rider to help monitor the conditions and keep everyone safe. While waiting, we had the opportunity to listen to one of the classes taking place which assured us that this group really knows what they are doing. We were treated as part of the group and were given advice, encouragement and assurance from the students, instructors and other participants. Their facilities are really nice with bathrooms, beverages, parking and a projector screen to watch your video right afterwards. My instructor Mitch was excellent; helpful and informative when he needed to be and hilarious otherwise. I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone who is considering paragliding at Tiger Mountain. There seem to be a lot of small outfits that will meet you at the landing field and take you on a tandem ride, but this place is the most legit. They all cost the same, so go with the best. read more

I was disappointed that Marc (owner) made the decision to charge me an additional $30 b/c my gift certificate was old. I understand that prices have gone up, but the GC was for a tandem flight and that's what I should of received...w/o having to pay more money. Especially since I previously drove out there on 3 separate occasions to use it but did not fly due to weather. He does do a good job of teaching & setting expectations with a great sense of humor. My tandem instructor, Frank Hernriquez, gets an easy 5 stars. He was calm, professional, and extremely knowledgeable while providing a safe smooth flight. read more

Seattle Paragliding is awesome!! With a flight instructor on the launch site and another flight instructor on the ground, they made sure that my experience was memorable but most importantly it was safe. My tandem flights were beautiful and unforgettable. read more

I was visiting one of my besties Abby during her travel assigment in Seattle. Abby and I met in Chicago while working as ER nurses and tend to find ourselves on crazy adventures. We went to Haiti together, drove across the country on a whim, snowshoed up Yosemite, and have torn up black diamonds from coast to coast. It seeems only normal that our adrenaline junkie selves would be intrigued by jumping off a mountain with only a parachute and a guide. We booked our adventure with Marc who assured us that we would be missing the opportunity of a lifetime if we didn't come that day, it happened to be one of the most gorgeous Seattle Summer days. Marc gave us clear directions and we waited for our guides while we watched the other paragliders make their graceful descents. Our guides TJ and Lawrence helped us prepare by giving us a lesson on paragliding safety. We felt at ease with our guides, TJ who has been doing this for over 6 years, and Lawrence who is a former pilot. The actual moment before jumping is a blur of excitement and fear, we had amazing, clear views of Mount Ranier and the surrounding areas. Gliding down is peaceful over the lush green forest. We were able to take photos that would be impossible to replicate any other way. Overall, an amazing experience that I know we will never forget. I'm so glad I got to share it with one of my best friends. I highly reccomend Seattle Paragliding if you choose to go paragliding. Their excellent customer service, respectful and knowledgable instructors, made us feel very safe and secure during our experience. As an added bonus they have clean bathrooms which none of the other services can offer. Our experience was worth every penny and I would return if I have the chance to make it back to Seattle. Thanks guys!!!! read more

Marc and his team are incredible at what they do! Now that I have been in the community for a few years and understand the level of dedication that Marc and his team show day in and day out, I can wholeheartedly recommend Seattle Paragliding as a great place to schedule a tandem flight or even learn to fly like I did! read more

Best paragliding school in Seattle area! My friend and I did a lot of research before we signed up, and haven't been disappointed. In the last month I've made 16 solos from beautiful Tiger Mt. There's nothing like it! Marc will make himself available at a moment's notice to facilitate training at your own pace. Take a few tandem flights with him or another professional instructor, and then make all your solos while supported by radio from launch to landing. That's the only safe way to learn. Marc is a founding father of NW paragliding and has worked hard to make Tiger Mt the best place to fly in the region. No other school provides the same level of infrastructure, including on-site facilities that allow you to fly and train whenever you want. Marc also conducts weekly classes attended by rookies and veterans alike. Seattle Paragliding is more than a school-- it's a vital community of pilots supporting each other. It's easy to get started in this sport, but you really need ongoing mentoring to become a safe and proficient pilot. I don't know of another school where the door is always open and the opportunities for mentoring never end. There's a shuttle, but I like to hike. It's a beautiful trail and the reward is amazing! read more

Wow! What an experience. Marc and his team of good folks at Seattle Paragliding offer paragliding at its best. I just had my first flight on Saturday and we're going back for a follow-up trip next month. Safety and education is clearly a priority. There also seems to be a good community of paragliders who are based in and around Seattle Paragliding. I did my first flight with Drew and would definitely recommend him as a tandem instructor. If I decide to go further and learn how to paraglide I will definitely do so at Seattle Paragliding. read more

Marc was a delightful instructor today. I had the honor of gliding down Tiger Mountain, Tandem with him, on this gorgeous sunny day. He kept asking if i was comfortable and if I would like to go higher. I was thrilled to be with such an experienced instructor. He was very polite and considerate of my feelings. He knew I was nervous and took that into consideration before taking me higher. We were in the air for 45 minutes. I honestly thought he was the best guy for the job. I can't wait to get up in the air again. I highly recommend Seattle Paragliding to everyone. He exceeded all my expectations. I hope to get a bunch of my buddies to jump with me next summer. Thanks again Marc for making my adventure a memory I will never forget. Denise read more

It's like riding a floating lazy-boy recliner. A relaxing experience, once you get over the adrenaline rush of running off a mountain. The guides handle everything, and if you ask nicely, will let you steer for the majority of the ride. Amazing ride even for first timers. They are professional and you just enjoy the view. An incredible experience. read more

My instructor's name was "Beaver". I was very lucky as he is a great instructor and person! I had a lot of fun and learned quite a bit from him. We spent close to 2 hours on the ground and flew for around 45 minutes with him explaining things as we did them... and even had the chance to fly a bit on and off too. Would definitely recommend requesting him to for a lesson to anyone! read more

Awesome! I have done my second solo last week and never felt in a better environment to learn. Marc and his group are like a family always watching out for each other. That's really great. Learning to be a bird is not an easy matter and some people might react to Marc stern behavior, honesty and seriousness on the matter might be perceived in a negative way (rude or poor service). I do not. Here, a safe flight is valued more than a happy customer... and I am glad it is that way! Come join us in the Issaquah skies! read more

Seattle Paragliding is one hell of great place to train and fly! I flew for over 3 hrs recently in view of Mt. Rainer and with hawks. Seattle paragliding has a team of well qualied 7-8 instructors that are there to fly passengers & help students. Others try to copy their success but there really is no other place that knows the mountain as the folks at Seattle Paragliding. I will keep coming back as often as I can. read more

By far the best money I ever spent for recreation or sports. In addition to having fun... every trip up and down the mountain is an education. I've found the instructors to be extremely helpful, free-spirited people. This is a group of people who know how to put safety before fun, and then let it all "fly" when the conditions are right. I will continue to get my other friends and family to fly with Seattle Paragliding. Definately a Five Star experience. Can't wait to fly again! The owner, Marc, makes himself available at almost any time for advice and instruction. Be ready to adapt to different weather conditions. Weather around Tiger Mountain can change in an instant, so be patient and understanding that nobody can control the weather. I've been "shut out" a few times when I was ready to go, but if the conditions are not right, Marc will say it's not a good day to fly. I appreciate his honesty, as it always comes down to safety before fun. Five Stars... Five Stars. Read ALL the reviews... not just the one above mine. For some reason, all the good reviews have been hidden. Peace, Jon read more

So much fun! Instructors make sure you are well prepared for a safe and thrilling flight

I first met Marc at Seattle Paragliding in March of 2012 when I had some questions about learning to paraglide. He invited me down to the training facility at the base of Tiger Mountain and we spent close to an hour getting to know each other and talking about the sport and the his program for new students. Not long after that, I had my first tandem flight with Seattle Paragliding and was instantly hooked. Marc treats his students like family and does a tremendous amount to make sure that Tiger Mountain is a safe and fun place to fly for experienced pilots and those that are experiencing their first tandem flight - organizing volunteer work parties to keep the launches and landing zones clear and safe, and holding weekly safety classes for pilots. If you are interested in experiencing free flight for the first time with an experienced tandem instructor, or ready to become a pilot yourself, I'd highly recommend Seattle Paragliding. Also, don't fall for the common myth that paragliding is only for sunny summer days - it is possibly to fly year round, and some of my best experiences have been outside of the summer months. read more

We had the best time with Marc and his team. They were professional and made sure my friend who is afraid of heights was completely comfortable with the process. read more

My wife and I came here for our 10 year anniversary. The quick introductory videos and instruction on how to sit in the harnesses was quick, informative and very helpful as this was our first time. My wife had a great launch and landing and I got the chance with Drew (my pilot) to do some acrobats - which was absolutely exhilarating!!! It was an incredible experience! We will absolutely come back again. read more

Marc gave us amazing hospitality. When We arrived he was very friendly and welcoming. My girlfriend was nervous to go up and he went out of his way to make sure she felt comfortable. While we were waiting he gave us complimentary beverages and lit a warm fire for us. Unfortunately when heading up the logging road to the launch site there was construction, so we were not able to go up that day. Marc was kind enough to give s a refund since we drove 3 hours to get there. read more

What an evening. I tandem paragliding experience with Marc to the sunset. I got steer part of the time and felt very secure. Marc talked me through all the steps so there were no surprises. I still can't believe I ran off a cliff.... thank you Marc! read more

Great experience. Booking was easy and Drew was an excellent pilot for our tandem flight. These guys are real pros

DON'T BOTHER I received a tandem paraglide certificate for my birthday and was very excited to use it. Scheduled a date and it was canceled the night before...conditions weren't going to be good. Talked with Marc C. a couple of the times and was dissuaded due to not so great weather... I get it..they don't control the weather. Marc said he realized I was hot to use it and he'd try to contact me if he thought there was going to be a good opportunity...never heard from him. Today I had the day off, didn't look good in the AM then it cleared, so I called on the off chance it might work out. Called just after 1:00, and he said the conditions were good. I called him back and said i could be there for the 2:30 shuttle and he said okay and to make sure I brought cash or a check. AS SOON AS I TOLD HIM I HAD A GIFT CERTIFICATE...he backpedaled...said he'd have to call me back. He called back and said he couldn't do it...which would be fine with me other than...it all changed when i mentioned the GC. I called him on it and he became very rude and told me to read the certificate, etc. We got into a heated debate and he made a comment "so now you want to go jump off a mountain with me??" which made me feel like...no..now i never want to patronize your business. He informed me there were "no refunds". So now...I can't get a refund, and I'm not willing to "go jump off a mountain" with someone who's been rude and now made me very uncomfortable with doing so. $175 down the drain...I'd advise you to find a better place to spend your money. read more

My mom, friend, and I just went paragliding the other day and had a blast with the crew! Marc, the owner, is a pleasure to work with - very easy to set everything up with him. We were going to glide a week before however Marc kept us informed on weather and guided us to rescheduling so we could have a smoother and longer glide on a clear, sunny day withut heavy winds. My friend and I were up in the air for 40 minutes, my mom was up for over an hour! We definately got our moneys worth in terms of time We were all happy with the guys we were paired with; Michael, Stephan, and Rob. I jumped with Rob and he was so easy going, kept me informed about the process as I was pretty nervous, and took awesome pictures with the GoPro at take off, up in the air, and landing with the mountain, eagles..yes eagles.. and other gliders in the background. NO need to bring your own camera unless you want picture on the hill. Michael jumped with my mom and he was awesome in taking pictures of me on the hill with his GoPro from different angles. All around excellent customer service, friendly guys, great stories, great experience. Advise, wear sunglasses or any glasses for wind factor and gloves, even if they are thin. It was 65 degrees out that day but up high, there is a wind chill factor so it felt more like 55 or less. read more

Last weekend I was able to enjoy a unique aspect of Seattle before catching a flight home. I showed up early in the day before the place had even opened, and upon arrival Marc was very welcoming. He added me to the schedule last minute on what was already going to be a very busy day. Gordon was willing to arrive earlier than usual for the tandem flight, and I was able to hike beautiful Chirico trail to the top and catch the view. The guys did a great job coordinating, and we caught some nice thermals over the south launch. After awhile he let me take the controls for a bit, but I made us lose more altitude than ideal so we weren't able to squeeze in aerobatics....at least that's something to look forward too! read more

Great group of people! I had an experience of a lifetime on my Tandem flight yesterday. Mark the owner is very competent and builds ones confidence in being safe and in good hands. My instructor beaver is the best! He is an excellent pilot and instructor. I would highly recommend giving paragliding a go and going through Seattle Paragliding. read more

I was visiting the Seattle area and wanted to do something fun and exciting. This was definitely the right choice! I had the privilege of being tandem with the owner, Marc, who is very outgoing and has a sense of humor. The video tutorials and training were very helpful. The people were fun and I had an amazing time! Also, got some great GoPro video of it all. I would recommend this experience to anyone looking to try something adventurous! read more

I did a tandem flight here and it was amazing! I had full confidence in the pilot and knew that it was important for me to be safe and have a good experience. I'm definitely going back and wouldn't go anywhere else. read more

Wonderful experience! I signed up for a tandem and had a great time. Even though I had car trouble and was late, they were able to work me in on a flight that evening. The instructor was very professional. I enjoyed it so much, I immediately signed up for lessons. read more

We had a great time at Seattle Paragliding, there was a slight mix up with scheduling but in the end Marc worked it out and made us all very pleased. Thanks to everyone at Seattle Paragliding for making it a great day, we had a blast! read more

Went today as a graduation gift and it was a blast. Had a great time, friendly staff, funny, beautiful scenery, and all around awesome experience. My air time was about 20 to 30 minutes and could have stayed up for much longer if not for having a weak stomach. Would highly recommend it fore everyone!! read more

Wow...what to say about Seattle paragliding.....well I signed up right in the middle of some difficult times in my life and in the middle of some major transformations. I have never really been a person that seeks adventure. But I was trying to take on new unreasonable action in my life. I pass by the landing zone about every day and thought that paragliding would definitely qualify as an unreasonable action. When I met with Marc I went to dinner with a bunch of pilots. I really felt the connected relationship within the school. These guys and gals are not just members of a school but teammates, friends. And they are all passionate about what they do. When I talked with Marc he seemed more interested in finding out how I was doing than talking about the school. He reached out to me at a time I needed as much love and support I could get. He really listened with compassion and understanding and would regularly check in on me to see how I was doing. That was just the beginning. The flights......I can say that the first flight was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The view is breathtaking. The flight is amazing. And most of all despite my life's challenges it was the first time I was truly present. I was free of worry, identity, problems, and concerns. I just was. It is hard to explain it. And each flight since, although different each time, holds a unique experience of discovery, success, accomplishment, and awe. I am still in the beginning of my training but I know why the pilots come out o f the air with the biggest grin you can imagine. There was one day I watched 6-7 bald eagles come out and fly with the pilots. It just really is extraordinary, in the true meaning of the word. It is above and beyond the ordinary of life. I would definitely mark paragliding as one of life's "must dos". There is nothing like it. So my life is taking new turns as I create new possibility and Seattle Paragliding is in the middle of it. New friends, passionate people, adventure, accomplishment, and really dreams coming true. My 7 year old son, 10 year old daughter, wife, mother, brother, and sister and many friends have since flown with Marc and his crew. That speaks to how much I trust Seattle Paragliding and believe they stand by their commitment to safety and creating an unforgettable experience. Another reviewer wrote that they were all about money and that couldn't be farther from the truth. I hold no business at fault for trying to make a living. What you get for your $ with Seattle Paragliding is priceless. read more

I went for my first ever tandem paragliding trip today. drew was my pilot and the conditions were awesome. I had an amazing time and will definitely do it again. I highly recommend drew, he did a fantastic job. He helped me to be at ease and his skills were terrific. Most fun I have had in years! Visit Seattle paragliding, take a tandem flight and stop wondering what it's like to soar with the birds! read more

Went tandem paragliding with Drew Mcnabb. He was amazing and had such a great time. Both he and Marc were hysterical! 10/10 for sure! I would definitely say everyone needs to try this-hands down one of the most memorable experiences! read more