The sport of paragliding is really taking off in the Yukon Territory.

Local pilots were recently featured in an episode of Canada Over The Edge, a TV series now in its fourth season on the Smithsonian Channel.

Stephen Johnson, Stephen Kurth and Trevor Mead-Robins make appearances in the episode, which focuses mainly on the Dempster Highway.

The segment features shots of paragliders on Haeckel Hill and above Dawson City.

Mead-Robins said he was contacted by a film crew after launching his Midnight Sun Flying Club webpage through the website flyyukon.com.

“It was filmed last season,” he explained, noting he recently finished another shoot for a French TV series, set to be released next season.

Being featured on national television isn’t the only news from the local paragliding community of nearly 30 pilots, said Mead-Robins.

“It’s very addictive,” he told the Star. “It’s a feeling like no other. I enjoy flying as much as I enjoy giving that sense of wonder to others that might want to experience it.”

Mead-Robins, 45, has been paragliding for more than 10 years.

He recently launched Fly Yukon Paragliding Inc., a new paragliding school offering instruction and tandem flights to newcomers.

Local pilots have also been working hard with the city and Yukon Energy to improve the launch and landing zones on Haeckel Hill. Yukon Energy recently donated $1,000 to the cause, Mead-Robins said.

Mount Sima has also emerged as a prime flying site – that includes use of the chairlift – thanks to collaborations with Contagious Mountain Bike Club and the Friends of Mount Sima.

“We can fly year-round in the Yukon,” said Mead-Robins. “There’s a dozen very good sites and over 20 flyable sites.”

Meanwhile this weekend, Yukon paragliders will gather in the Klondike for their annual Dawson Fly-In.

Conditions are expected to be pristine for the dozen or so pilots attending, and Mead-Robins said he will also be offering commercial tandem flights for the first time.

“Dawson City is a world-class paragliding destination because of its accessibility and beautiful launch,” he said, noting the outstanding view of the historic gold rush town from the pad on the Midnight Dome.

Those interested in attempting a glide can contact Mead-Robins through www.flyyukon.com.

The video featuring the Yukon paragliders can be viewed at: www.smithsonianchannel.ca/shows/canada-over-the-edge/. The paragliding portion begins at the 31-minute mark.