About this tour
When Sarah from our BugBitten team suited up for a flying trapeze class at Académie De Cirque in Montreal, she got what amounts to a controlled adrenaline hit wrapped in proper coaching. This 2-hour session takes you from ground level through basic techniques to actually launching yourself off a platform and swinging through the air — all with a safety net underneath. The vibe is beginner-friendly but serious: instructors work through progressions at your own pace, whether you're tackling fear of heights or refining your form. It's the only circus school in greater Montreal rigging trapeze over a net, which changes how you feel about letting go.
Highlights
- Actually flying — you leave the platform and swing, not just learn theory
- Safety net underneath the whole rig, removing a real psychological barrier
- Instructors tailor pace to your fitness and nerve level
- Small-group format means hands-on feedback, not a crowded audition
- Accessible facility; wheelchair users and families with prams can attend
- Two hours is tight but enough to feel the progression arc
- No experience needed — they work with total beginners and returners alike
What to expect
You'll start on the ground learning grip, body position, and the rhythm of a swing. Sarah found the instructors deliberate and reassuring — they walk you through each stage before you commit. Once you're comfortable, you climb onto a raised platform, grab the bar, and push off. That first swing is the real moment: you're airborne, the net's below, and your body understands something your brain was unsure about. The class progresses logically — basic swings, then technique refinements like leg catches or twists, depending on your comfort. The net overhead and beneath you becomes less noticeable after the first few goes; what sticks is the sensation of control and the small win of nailing a manoeuvre you weren't sure about five minutes earlier.
The circus school itself is well-equipped and staffed with people who've clearly done this hundreds of times. Two hours moves at a realistic pace — unhurried enough that you're not rushed, brisk enough that you leave buzzing rather than bored.
What travellers say
- Genuinely exhilarating — you actually fly, not just mime the motion
- Net safety system builds confidence without feeling patronising
- Instructors adapt to your pace and prior experience level
- Small-group teaching — feedback is personal, not generic
- Well-maintained facility with wheelchair access throughout
- Two hours is a realistic arc from nerves to small mastery
- Requires moderate fitness; not suitable for certain health conditions
- Upper body and grip strength determine how far you progress
- Peak times may feel less intimate than quieter sessions
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely thrilling without recklessness. The net-over-trapeze setup removes one major mental barrier, and instructors respect that fear is real. You'll walk out with a tangible skill, a story, and the kind of endorphin hit that sticks with you. It suits anyone curious about circus arts, people after a non-traditional fitness experience, or anyone wanting to test their own limits in a supported environment. Small groups mean personal attention.
You need moderate fitness — upper body strength and balance matter. It's not recommended if you have spinal issues, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns; chat with an instructor if you're unsure. Your hands and arms will feel worked. Wheelchair access is available, but the actual flying platform isn't universally accessible; confirm what works for your specific needs before booking. Peak times may mean busier sessions. Weather doesn't usually factor (it's indoors), but check cancellation policies.
Entrance is included. Wear comfortable, moveable clothes — no baggy stuff that'll catch. The facility is wheelchair accessible throughout, prams are fine in the lobby area, and they're set up for families. Group size is intentionally small. Book ahead, especially weekends.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.