Last night we jetted off to Harrison Mills for a silent auction/fundraising dinner for the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival at Pretty Estates Resort.  Jet Set Paragliding donated a tandem flight to the cause, and I was pleased to be asked to give a speech about our sport before the bidding began.  Everyone was excited to hear about the possibility of soaring with eagles and the tandem went home with a very happy bidder who will be coming flying next season.  George from Thermal Addict paragliding came along too and we both went home with some goodies from the auction, all to support efforts to keep our eagle friends (aka thermal markers) around for a long, long time.

The first snow hit the ground in the valley last night.  While we only have a few flakes left sticking to the grass this morning, it was enough to make me look forward to snowy hike and fly adventures, like this one at Mount Woodside about 5 years ago...

Kevin made this great little video of our impromptu hike and fly off Elk Mountain earlier this fall.  The hike up is now covered in snow in the higher elevations…time to get your winter climbing gear out!

Living at the foot of the mountains means you never have to look far for stunning views or something to do outside.  Tourism Chilliwack has launched a campaign to share this beauty and here's the first video.  Share your own experiences when you come exploring out this way using #ShareChilliwack on whichever social media sites you like, and just maybe you'll see some paragliding on a future video ;)

Have you been thinking of getting a combo vario/GPS unit?  Flytec have come up with the Element, which is a user-friendly device that will tell you everything you need to know while flying, including if you're about to infringe airspace and now your epic flight won't count in the online contest.  Expected to deliver in the new year so it would be more of a pre-season flight gift to yourself rather than a Christmas present, Jet Set can bring one of these rad new toys in for you.  Contact us for info!

What's on your Christmas wish list this year?  If your list looks like mine it has a new hike and fly kit on it.  If so then direct Santa over to Thermal Addict Airsports where he can pick out the new Skywalk Arriba 3 wing, a Range Air lightweight pod harness or Flex hike & fly (that's great for kiting too) and a shiny new hike and fly pack!  If you let him know that it will also benefit your new year's resolution of getting in shape then he's sure to help you out.  Please Santa…we've all been so very good!

Check back here for more gift ideas all week, remember most items ship from overseas and items can take a little longer to arrive over the holiday season.

We're not the only ones trying to stay warm these days.  Some rodent decided to camp out near the fuel injector in my FJ and snack on some of the wires.  As if I need something else to drive me crazy as I sit here waiting for a flying day!

It's been blustery here in the valley all week, with no flying (of paragliders or hang gliders anyway) to be had.  There's a glimmer of hope with one forecast showing less wind today, and rain predicted mid-week that should bring a new weather system in.  Can we get airborne this week?  Yes please!