I was well-assisted by a friendly local paragliding pilot, who talked me through everything for 20 minutes, helped me lay out, advised me on launch. A momentary hesitation on the edge of the drop-off brought my wing down and sent me sliding down a rocky slope for a few yards, cheered by people on the chairlift. Twenty minutes later, back at launch, a straight-forward take off sent me over the Morzine valley, with 20 minutes spent thermalling above a forest.
A word of caution - advice that the landing zone is "over the ridge and straight ahead" can be confusing at height, when you can see a dozen towns scattered around. My first flight ended after 40 minutes with, I suspect, an illegal landing in La Tania - one town I recognised as I was staying there. 150 foot pine trees, a nursery slope and some drag-lifts added to the excitement of what I have heard referred to a "extreme manoeuvres close to the ground". I landed sliding though a pool of mud, taking out a cafe table with my wing (sorry pub l'Arbett). Exit stage left, thinking of horses and getting straight back on...
Two further flights to La Praz (aka Courchevel 1300 - cross ridge to your right, keep going for a couple of km, and its the big town with the ski-jump) gave me another 40 minutes or so, just reminding myself what it was all about, and admiring the scenery. The landing is next to the ski-jump, with a dozen huge flag poles acting as an excellent wind indicator, ensuring perfect landings. Then hop on the bubble, and off you go again...
Motto: Don't leave home without it.
Rob