Utah’s Wasatch Front is where desert light meets dramatic mountains. Salt Lake City was founded in 1847 by Latter-day Saint pioneers and later boomed with railroads, mining, and the 2002 Winter Olympics. Today, it’s a lively base for outdoor adventure—skiing in winter, hiking and biking in summer, and year-round access to the surreal Great Salt Lake.

Just 20–30 minutes south, Draper hosts Point of the Mountain—one of the world’s premier paragliding sites. Smooth, laminar airflow and distinct morning/evening wind cycles make it a training paradise. It’s also home to Corner Canyon’s web of singletrack, the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, and easy access to Big and Little Cottonwood canyons.

Practical notes: Elevation sits around 4,200 feet; hydrate and ease into activity. Winds are typically mellow at sunrise and near sunset—the prime windows for paraglider training. Renting a car is strongly recommended. For flights into SLC, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Utah’s liquor laws favor restaurants and breweries in town; wine/spirits are sold at state stores.

Draper

Welcome to the launchpad. Point of the Mountain has two sides: South Side (best at sunrise with southerly flow) and North Side (best late-day with northerly flow). Under instruction, beginners practice ground handling on forgiving slopes and progress to short “sled runs,” then longer soaring flights when conditions allow.

Beyond flying, Draper’s Corner Canyon offers mellow waterfalls and ridge hikes with valley views. The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (with its soaring “Claw” canopy) is a great midday wind hold.

• Top sights: Point of the Mountain Flight Park (North & South), Corner Canyon (Ghost Falls, Ann’s Trail), Bell Canyon Waterfall (nearby Sandy), Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.
• Where to stay: Browse stays near the flight park and trailheads on VRBO or compare mid-range hotels on Hotels.com.
• Fuel up: Waffle Love (sourdough liege waffles), Kneaders Bakery (quick pastries/sandwiches), The Cliff Dining Pub (sushi, small plates, wide views), Garage Grill (car-museum vibe, burgers), Cubby’s (salads/steak bites), Lone Star Taqueria (Cottonwood Heights fish tacos).
• Flyer’s note: Typical windows are sunrise–midmorning and golden hour–sunset. Bring layers, gloves for kiting, sunglasses, and water. USHPA membership and instruction required for solo flights; always follow site rules and instructor guidance.

Bookable experiences reachable from Draper:

• City overview for a rest or wind-hold day: Salt Lake City Guided Bus Tour

  

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City blends historic Temple Square (under renovation through 2026) with buzzy neighborhoods like Central 9th and The Avenues. It’s a springboard to the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island’s free-roaming bison, and canyon hikes minutes from downtown.

Food-wise, expect big flavors: legendary moles at Red Iguana, pristine fish at Takashi, farm-to-table at Oquirrh and Pago, baked bliss at Eva’s Bakery and Tulie. Breweries abound—Avenues Proper, Fisher, Level Crossing, and Bewilder are local favorites.

• Where to stay: Downtown and the Granary put you near dining and transit. Compare options on VRBO and Hotels.com.
• Getting in: Fly into SLC; shop fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Downtown is ~10 minutes by car, ~20 minutes by TRAX light rail.

Top bookable adventures:

• Private Half-Day Scenic Drive Through Salt Lake's Best Canyons

  

• Antelope Island Wildlife Expedition Great Salt Lake Adventure

  

• Salt Lake Ghost Tour: Salt, Spooks, & Shadows

  

Day 1: Arrive SLC → Settle in Draper

Morning: Fly into Salt Lake City International. For the best fares, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Pick up a rental car (budget ~$45–$75/day).

Afternoon: Drive ~25 minutes to Draper via I‑15. Check into your lodging (VRBO or Hotels.com). Grab coffee at Beans & Brews or a pastry from Kneaders; hydrate and organize your gear for dawn training.

Evening: If winds are gentle, meet your instructor at the South Side for a safety briefing and light ground handling (no pressure—today is about orientation). Casual dinner at Garage Grill (car memorabilia, solid burgers) or The Cliff Dining Pub (rolls, small plates, sunset views).

Day 2: South Side Sunrise Flights + Corner Canyon Waterfalls

Morning: Paraglider training block (about 6:30–10:00 a.m., weather permitting). Expect kiting drills, takeoff/landing practice, and short supervised sled runs on the South Side’s forgiving slope. Quick breakfast: Waffle Love or a Kneaders breakfast sandwich between sessions.

Afternoon: Recovery and light hike in Corner Canyon. Try Ghost Falls (3–4 miles round-trip, gentle grade, spring wildflowers and a shaded canyon). Lunch at Cubby’s (steak salad, garlic fries) or Spitz (Mediterranean wraps).

Evening: Wind check: if a northerly sets up, head to the North Side for sunset soaring under instruction. If conditions aren’t suitable, visit the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. Dinner near the canyons at Lone Star Taqueria (fish tacos) or Thai Basil in Sandy.

Day 3: Training + Bell Canyon or Bike the Ridges

Morning: Second training block at Point of the Mountain. You’ll refine canopy control, expand your launch repertoire, and build landing accuracy. Bring thin gloves for kiting and keep a layer handy—mornings can be cool.

Afternoon: Choose your adventure: hike Bell Canyon to the lower waterfall (steeper, rocky steps near the falls) or rent a hardtail and sample Corner Canyon’s Ann’s Trail/Eagle Crest (flowy, scenic, and beginner-friendly). Lunch at DP Cheesesteaks or Blue Lemon in Highland for a quick, fresh bite.

Evening: Possible “glass-off” at the North Side—classic smooth air near sunset when conditions align. Dinner at The Charleston Draper (seasonal American; reserve) or mid-budget at Taqueria 27 (Sandy) for creative tacos and guac flights.

Day 4: Training + Wasatch Canyon Scenery (Guided Option)

Morning: Third or fourth training morning, depending on weather. If your instructor signs off, you may start linking longer flights. Hydrate and rest your legs between flights.

Afternoon: Explore Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. If you prefer a driver-guide and curated stops, book the Private Half-Day Scenic Drive Through Salt Lake's Best Canyons for views, history, and photo stops without the parking hassle.

Evening: If winds cooperate, cap the Draper chapter with a mellow evening session. Celebrate with sushi and small plates at The Cliff Dining Pub or wood-fired pizza at Settebello (downtown SLC option if you’re heading that way).

Day 5: Move to Salt Lake City + City Highlights Tour

Morning: Check out and drive ~25 minutes to your Salt Lake stay (VRBO or Hotels.com). Coffee at Publik (granary) or Three Pines downtown; brunch at Eva’s Bakery.

Afternoon: Get oriented on the Salt Lake City Guided Bus Tour—temples, capitol, historic districts, and Olympic lore in 2.5 hours.

Evening: Dinner at Red Iguana (iconic moles; expect a short wait) or Oquirrh (creative, seasonal). Nightcap at Avenues Proper or Fisher Brewing. If winds look great, it’s an easy 25–30 minutes back to the North Side for another sunset flight.

Day 6: Great Salt Lake Wildlife + Haunted History by Night

Morning: Short city hike to The Living Room (2.5–3 miles RT; sandstone benches and sweeping valley views) or Ensign Peak (quick viewpoint). Coffee at Blue Copper or Tulie Bakery (almond croissant, kouign-amann).

Afternoon: Meet your guide for the Antelope Island Wildlife Expedition Great Salt Lake Adventure. Expect bison, pronghorn, and big-sky lake vistas—about 45–60 minutes from downtown.

Evening: Swap wildlife for lore on the Salt Lake Ghost Tour: Salt, Spooks, & Shadows—a storyteller-led stroll through the city’s eerie past.

Enjoy dinner at The Copper Onion (housemade pastas, wagyu bolognese) or Current Fish & Oyster (mountain-fresh seafood in a sleek space).

Day 7: Final Dawn Flights + Farewell Brunch

Morning: If winds align and you’re up for it, sneak in a last dawn session at the South Side—confidence-building sled runs or mellow soaring to bookend the week. Pack, shower, and check out.

Afternoon: Brunch at Sunday’s Best (Sandy; reservations help) or Pretty Bird (Nashville hot chicken) if you’re craving spice. Head to SLC International for your afternoon departure—search live options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Travel day. If you’re lingering, catch a Jazz game at the Delta Center in season, or stroll The Gateway’s art and breweries.

Budget tips: With a mid-range budget (50/100), plan $120–$180/day for food, fuel, and incidentals; instruction packages and gear rentals vary by school (book in advance). Mix casual lunches with a couple of “wow” dinners. Free hikes and scenic drives keep costs in check.

Weather flexibility: Paragliding is 100% weather-dependent. We’ve built in hikes, aquarium time, and guided tours during mid-day thermals or wind holds; your instructor will pivot session times as conditions evolve.

In one week you’ll learn to dance with the air at Point of the Mountain, hike classic Wasatch trails, and meet bison on Antelope Island—then toast the skyline after sundown. This Draper and Salt Lake City itinerary keeps adventure front and center while flexing for the wind, letting every day find its perfect window.