Paraglide the Dolomites, Italy
Val di Fassa, Trentino-Alto Adige
Fly above some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on earth. Alpine paragliding in the heart of the Italian Dolomites.
There is no scenery like this in the air
The Dolomites are unlike any mountain range on earth. Jagged limestone towers rise straight out of green alpine valleys, their pale rock faces glowing gold and pink in the shifting light. From the air, the scale of it is almost impossible to process - you are thermalling alongside cliff walls that were ancient seabeds 250 million years ago, watching your shadow cross meadows a thousand meters below.
Val di Fassa sits at the crossroads of some of the most iconic peaks in the range - Marmolada, the Sella massif, the Catinaccio group. The valley funnels reliable alpine thermals, offers ridge soaring along dramatic rock faces, and provides generous landing zones on the valley floor. Damien leads guided trips here because it is one of the best places in Europe to experience true mountain flying with a safety net - expert briefings, live radio coaching, and a guide who has flown these valleys extensively.
Why pilots choose the Dolomites
Scenery
There is no paragliding destination on earth that looks like this. Pale limestone spires, emerald valleys, glaciers, and wildflower meadows - all from the air. Every flight is a postcard you could never take from the ground.
Alpine Flying Skills
Mountain flying is a discipline unto itself. Valley winds, rotor, convergence zones, rapid weather shifts - the Dolomites will teach you things about reading terrain and air that flatland flying never will.
Val di Fassa
A proper flying valley with established launches, well-known thermal triggers, and accessible landing zones. The infrastructure is there without losing the wild mountain feel.
European Flying Culture
Fly alongside Italian, Austrian, and German pilots. Paragliding is deeply embedded in Alpine culture - cable cars serve as launch shuttles, landing fields are marked, and the local pilots are welcoming.
Italian Experience
This is not just a flying trip. It is Italy - real espresso, mountain rifugio meals, Ladin culture, dolomite sunsets over wine. The rest days are as good as the flying days.
Summer Flying
The Dolomites complete the year-round flying calendar. Mexico runs in winter, Colombia and Brazil in spring, and Italy fills the summer months. Fly all year with Air Damien.
A day in Val di Fassa
What you will experience
Mountain Flying Fundamentals
Learn to read valley winds, identify rotor zones, and use terrain to your advantage. Damien breaks down the specific hazards and opportunities of alpine flying before every flight and coaches in real time on the radio.
Reading Alpine Weather
Mountain weather changes fast. You will learn to read cumulus development over ridgelines, spot the signs of valley wind cycles, and understand when conditions are building versus shutting down.
Scenic Flying
Not every flight needs to be a training exercise. Some flights in the Dolomites are purely about soaking in the view - ridge soaring along massive rock faces, gliding over alpine meadows, landing with a smile.
European Airspace
Flying in the Alps means understanding European airspace classifications, NOTAM procedures, and how to share the sky with other aircraft in a busy mountain environment. Damien covers this in every briefing.
Hike-and-Fly Intro
Some of the best launches in the Dolomites require a hike. Carrying your wing up a mountain trail and launching from a remote ridgeline is a uniquely rewarding way to fly - and the Dolomites are the perfect place to try it.
Everything included
Who this trip is for
You want to fly the Alps
You have seen the photos and videos. You know what Dolomite flying looks like from the air and you want to experience it yourself. This trip puts you there with a guide who knows the terrain.
You want to develop mountain skills
You are a competent thermal pilot but you have mostly flown flatland or coastal sites. You want to add alpine flying to your skill set with proper instruction, not trial and error.
You want a flying trip and a vacation
The Dolomites deliver on both. The flying is world-class, and the rest - the food, the hiking, the villages, the scenery from the ground - makes it a trip your non-flying travel partner would enjoy too.
Your Guide: Damien "Vampiro" Mitchell
Damien has been flying paragliders for over 25 years and holds a USHPA Advanced Instructor rating with over 10,000 flights logged. He runs guided trips and clinics in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and the Italian Dolomites - building a year-round flying calendar that keeps pilots progressing across different terrain and conditions.
In the Dolomites, Damien's role shifts from instructor to mountain guide. Alpine flying demands a different kind of attention - reading valley wind cycles, identifying safe launch windows, knowing when to fly and when to wait. His briefings are thorough, his radio coaching is constant, and his priority is always keeping you safe while making sure you have the flights of your life.
He knows the Val di Fassa terrain, the local pilots, the cable car schedules, and which rifugio serves the best polenta. Flying with Damien in the Dolomites means you get the full experience - not just the airtime.
Join the Dolomites Trip
Tell us your dates and experience level. We will get back to you within 24 hours with availability and next steps.
Or call Damien directly: 801-244-4791
★★★★★ 5.0 / 33 reviewsBeyond the flying
Hiking and Via Ferrata
The Dolomites are one of the great hiking destinations in the world. Iron-rung via ferrata routes climb directly up cliff faces. Marked trails connect rifugio mountain huts across high passes. Rest days are never wasted here.
Food and Wine
Trentino cuisine blends Italian and Austrian traditions. Think fresh pasta, venison, polenta, strudel, and local wines from the Adige valley. Every meal in the Dolomites is worth savoring.
Culture
Val di Fassa is the heartland of Ladin culture - a distinct Alpine community with its own language, architecture, and traditions. The villages are charming, the people are welcoming, and the pace of life is exactly what you need after a day in the air.
What Pilots Say About Flying with Damien
"I saw my flying mentality and my piloting skills improve drastically over the course of the week."
Feb 2023
"The combination of ground school, launch support, and in-sky coaching provided an incredibly valuable learning experience."
Jan 2023
"Great instruction, local knowledge, small groups, no attitude or pressure just great flying and even better times."
Jan 2024
Dolomites-specific reviews coming soon as this is a newer destination. The testimonials above are from pilots who have flown with Damien on other trips.
Common Questions About the Dolomites Trip
When does the Dolomites trip run?
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Do I need a visa?
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Is mountain flying dangerous?
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What if the weather is bad?
Can I combine this with other trips?
Fly Year-Round with Air Damien
Mexico - Valle de Bravo
Winter season. The most consistent thermal flying in North America. Ten-day all-inclusive packages with instruction, housing, and transport.
Colombia - Roldanillo
Spring season. World-class XC flying in the Cauca Valley. Strong, consistent thermals and long cross-country routes.
Brazil
Spring season. Incredible flying terrain, vibrant culture, and some of the best conditions in South America.
Ready to Fly the Dolomites
Have questions or ready to book? Send us a message and we will help you plan your trip to Val di Fassa.
Or call Damien directly: 801-244-4791
★★★★★ 5.0 / 33 reviews