Parapente Larch Hil Canoe Area 2, BC

Canoe (Larch Hill) is a mountain paragliding and hang gliding site located between Salmon Arm and Sicamous in the North Okanagan Valley, South Central British Columbia, Canada. The site offers both thermal and ridge soaring opportunities with excellent cross-country potential. The site features two main launches: 1. **Northwest Launch**: - Elevation: 3690' above sea level (asl) - Landing Zone (LZ): 1175' asl - GPS Coordinates: N 50 44 30.7 W 119 11 00.5 - Directions: Turn off 4 km east of Canoe's Federated Co-operative Ltd's Lumber Mill up the 110 Forestry Rd. At the 7.6 km mark, turn right and continue for 2.4 km to reach the launch. - Description: Carpeted hang gliding launch suitable for advanced paragliders. A higher cleared area 20m above the roadside launch is available but requires raking and carpets. 2. **North Launch**: - Elevation: 4700' asl - LZ: 1200' asl - GPS Coordinates: N 50 46 12.8 W 119 09 21.9 - Directions: Follow the main road for a total of 8.7 km, taking left forks at the 7.7 and 7.8 km marks. - Description: Advanced site due to the long glide to the largest LZ. The bomb-out LZ is very small and only usable during low water periods. Smooth thermals are found well away from the hill. **Skill Level Recommendations**: Intermediate to Advanced (HPAC Rating) **Flying Season**: - Spring: Good - Summer: Good - Fall: Good - Winter: Not recommended **Vehicle Requirements**: High clearance 2WD vehicles are needed to cross ditches into the NW launch. **Launch Information**: - Good clean launches, though topping a couple of trees below the launch could improve conditions. - The site is a scenic alternative to Mara, with valley winds funneling up the face of the launch. **Landing Zones**: - Primary LZ for both launches is immediately south of the Canoe Federated Co-op Lumber Mill, check for crop conditions. - Alternative LZs include the public beach 2 km west of the Canoe Mill. - For the North launch, the main LZ is a long glide west to the Canoe LZs, which are not visible from the launch. The emergency bomb-out LZ is a small, narrow beach. **Weather Notes**: - During stable summer days, the site often has the only cumulus clouds in the valley. **Airspace**: - Class 'E' Airspace above 2200' AGL with several Victor Airways overhead. - For advanced weather briefing and HAGAR notification, contact FIC at 1-866-WXBRIEF (1-866-992-7433). **Radio Frequencies**: - Aircraft: 123.400 MHz - Local Club: 146.415 MHz **Contacts**: - Tim Staal: 250-833-4349, tim_staal@REMOVE.THIShotmail.com - Fred Wilson: 250-309-6651, ftlwilson@REMOVE.THISshaw.ca - Rick Carr: 250-836-0276, 250-804-0276 (Sicamous), rnj22@REMOVE.THIStelus.net - Cliff Rempel: 250-571-3620, csrlt1@REMOVE_THISsunwave.net For more information, visit the British Columbia Paragliding and Hang Gliding Association: [BCPHA Contact](http://www.bchpa.ca/contact-us.html) Note: The site requires light maintenance, so take brushing equipment with you to help keep it open.