Winter paragliding flight in austrian alps, Achen Lake, Tyrol, Austria

Extra elevation

As long as you bundle up really, really well, paragliding is an all-season sport. Winters don’t get much harsher than up here in the Austrian Alps, but our photo subject proves anything is possible with a few extra layers. They’re soaring above Achen Lake, a popular area for aerial sports thanks to its high launching points, gusty winds and reliable thermals – rising columns of warmer air that paraglider pilots catch to generate lift.