Skytrek Tandem Hang Gliding & Paragliding — Attraction in South Island

Chose this as they had the highest reviews in the area but it was a huge letdown.

First off, flight was scheduled for around 1pm but was postponed to 7pm due to plane flying. No problem with that, totally not an issue as it's out of their control. I'm not that unreasonable.

Problem came when 7pm came and my instructor asked if I was with anyone, to which I replied yes, my partner, and pointed him out. He told me oh we'll try to get you guys down together. But he proceeded to help everyone else without giving me a heads up, leaving me to guess at when it'll be my turn (my partner was second off the cliff and it was a group of like around 15?). Fine no problem I can wait.

It got worse when there was a kid (looks older than 10) that refused to get off, and the remaining 3 instructors (there was 1 more guy who would drive the van down) spent roughly 20 mins (can't say for sure as my instructor kept my phone right at the start - mind you he was one of the first instructors who arrived, so I couldn't even text my partner to tell him what's going on) trying to coax him to jump off.

When they finally managed to and my turn came, winds have changed directions and I could not go anymore. I had to take the van all the way down. And the kid, mind you, with like 6 of his family members, all made it down and I was the only one out of everyone else who could not fly.

At this point, it was upsetting as I have shifted not only mine and my partner, but also my family's (another 3 did not do the activity and was waiting for us) plans around for the day, even rushing lunch and dinner to not get sick during the flight.

It would have been a 1 star, but 2 was given only because rescheduling was quick but honestly, I expect nothing less.

Next day come around and again, I have to shift 5 people's plans around to accommodate them. By then, mood was all sour and I was regretting rescheduling but I gave it one last shot and surprise surprise, though it was a different instructor and my previous 7pm instructor was also there, I was still last to go down. Thank god there was no interfering kid this time. Still, I'd think that after the 7pm session, they would let me go quickly and be on my way with the rest of my family's plans.

They even tried to play it off as a weather issue when really, it was the darn kid (you were coaxing the kid, dont turn around and tell me oh no such poor weather). No gestures of goodwill whatsoever was provided at any point in time, aside from "oh sorry about the weather". No free photos, no longer flight (i know cuz a guy twice my size who left before me touched down after me) whatsoever. Very disappointing experience.

Since they have tons of positive reviews, I would just leave you this advice - if you look like a last person down kinda person, don't do it with them lol do it with g force or...

Memorable Family Paragliding Adventure with SkyTrek

My husband, his brother, his wife, and I embarked on our first paragliding experience with SkyTrek, and it was absolutely incredible.

Right from the start, SkyTrek impressed us with their professionalism and attention to detail. They provided all the necessary gear, including boots, gloves, and sunglasses, ensuring we were comfortable and well-prepared for our adventure.

Each of us had our own guide, and I was fortunate to fly with Omar. Omar was not only skilled and experienced but also incredibly friendly and funny. He made me feel completely at ease throughout the flight, pointing out landmarks and even performing thrilling maneuvers that added to the excitement. Omar also took plenty of photos and videos, capturing unforgettable moments from our flight.

My husband flew with Tai, who amazed him with his expertise and daring maneuvers. Tai's skill allowed him to perform exhilarating tricks, including flying close to tree branches and mountainsides. His engaging personality and humorous anecdotes made the experience even more enjoyable.

Peter guided my sister-in-law and left a lasting impression with his friendly and reassuring presence. She felt comfortable and safe throughout the flight, enjoying the stunning views and thrilling maneuvers Peter performed.

My brother-in-law flew with Jason, who was praised for his relaxed demeanor and clear instructions. Jason ensured a smooth and enjoyable flight, making the experience memorable for him.

Overall, our family's experience with SkyTrek was nothing short of amazing. The combination of professional service, friendly guides, Tai's humor, and breathtaking views made our first paragliding adventure truly unforgettable. We are already looking forward to flying with them again and highly recommend SkyTrek to anyone seeking an exhilarating...

Finally getting round to writing reviews for our trip. We went to NZ in summer 2024 (Dec).

My family of 7 (5 kids aged between 5 to 12) wanted to have a go at paragliding. We wanted to try the one at Skyline Gondola by G force but had a problem with the weight of 2 of my kids who were well below 20kg. The website, Everything New Zealand, helped us ask around with the other operators if any could take us. Thankfully, Skytrek said they could. They told us that we would be paragliding from Coronet Peak.

On the day of the activity, we assembled at the office in Queenstown. The staff was friendly and the briefing was clear. They then drove us up to Coronet Peak where we met our pilots.

We expected our children to feel scared and be hesitant but the pilots were so professional and very good with the kids that they were in their gear and excited to go within minutes. I can see that they take safety seriously because when the canopy didn't open up perfectly on my eldest son's initial run, they cancelled the take off and redid it. That was very reassuring.

The pilots took videos and photos during the 20mins ride. You have the option of purchasing them at the end. No obligation. We obviously did for memories sake. Worth purchasing because some of the pictures are really nice and the videos are also decent. Some could be better but overall, we didn't regret paying the extra cost.

The kids really enjoyed it and wanted to do it again but we didn't stay in Queenstown long enough to book a second time. I really recommend this as a family activity in Queenstown, NZ.

Extra note: My youngest who was 5 felt really cold during the ride so my advice is to bring gloves and perhaps something to shield the face...