If you want the best views in the house, consider taking a tandem flight in a paraglider off Grouse mountain, only 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver. The Grouse Mountain site is located at Grouse Mountain Ski Resort on Vancouver's North Shore. A popular site for skiing in the winter, it transforms to an ideal flying site in the summer.

A tram and a chair lift will take you up to the launch site where you and your instructor will clip into a paraglider and in a few short steps you will be airborne. You will sit relaxed in a chair-like harness and enjoy the stunning views of Vancouver, the Capilano water shed, the North Shore mountains, and even the Gulf Islands, while your instructor steers the paraglider gently through the air. The peacefulness and serenity of the flight will surprise you, as the only sound you will hear will be that of a light wind. Gently descending in Cleveland Park at the base of the mountain, this is bound to be an unforgettable experience.

To get to Grouse Mountain, follow Georgia Street through Stanley Park and across the Lion's Gate Bridge. Take the North Vancouver exit to Marine Drive, then left up Capilano Road for 3.1 miles (5 km). The public transit system offers regular service to the base of Grouse Mountain every half hour. Catch Bus 232 from Phibbs Exchange or Bus 236 from Lonsdale Quay.