Paragliding East Gros Ventre Butte EGVB, WY

Situated above the town of Jackson and across from Snow King, this paragliding site offers excellent opportunities for soaring from various wind directions. It's occasionally used but can provide good cross-country (XC) flying conditions. To access the launch, you must hike up as driving is prohibited due to a private road. The trail begins on private property, and the landowner allows light foot traffic from pilots. Visiting pilots should contact the Jackson Hole Free Flight Club before flying here. The site is located on East Gros Ventre Butte (EGVB), a south-facing butte in downtown Jackson. The steep, unmarked game trail used to access the launch starts on private property. The road to the top is privately owned and closed to the public. This site is ideal for lightweight setups or mini-wings and is often used when other sites are closed from December 1 to April 30 for wildlife habitat. The technical landing zone (LZ) makes this a P3 minimum site. For more information, visit the Jackson Hole Free Flight Club: [Jackson Hole Free Flight Club](https://www.jhffc.org/egvb). Getting there involves limited parking near the trailhead in the residential area. It's recommended to park at the LZ and cross the highway to hike up or coordinate with other pilots for vehicle drop-off at the LZ. Bring water for the steep 1200-foot hike up this sunny, exposed butte. The launch area is a grassy butte with ample space for multiple gliders. It is free of trees and other hazards, and numerous flags in town provide helpful wind indicators. Be aware that this site is highly visible, as the glide to the LZ takes you right over town. Avoid flying over congested areas like the rodeo grounds. Teton County Search & Rescue operates a helicopter pad on the southwest corner of EGVB, so do not fly near this area. The LZ has multiple hazards, including power lines, a creek, and mechanical rotor. Ensure you are confident in using the LZ before hiking up. Wind tends to funnel and accelerate through the town of Jackson from southwest to northeast, especially during hot summer afternoons, creating mechanical rotor. Ideal wind direction for flying is between 140-210 degrees, with wind strength ranging from a minimum of 0 mph to a maximum of 20 mph, ideally around 8 mph. For more details on paragliding around Jackson Hole, visit: [Jackson Hole Paragliding](http://www.jhparagliding.com/paragliding-around-jackson-hole/). Conditions for flying include a southwest wind for a concave bowl with good lift usually located on the northwest side of the bowl, or a south wind for a broad face with consistent lift and a nice lip to surf.