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Description
Grouse Mountain Resort in Vancouver, Canada, offers a popular paragliding site with an elevation of 1200 meters and a height difference of 1015 meters. This site is frequently used and provides excellent thermal soaring conditions in spring and summer. However, cross-country flying is limited due to airspace restrictions. Guest pilots are only allowed to fly when accompanied by a member of the Grouse Mountain Flying Team (GMFT).
For more details, visit the GMFT website: [GMFT](https://gmft.westcoastsoaringclub.com/) and [West Coast Soaring Club](https://www.westcoastsoaringclub.com/project/grouse/).
Minimum Requirements:
- P3 (Intermediate) Rating
- Current HPAC Insurance
- No speed gliders or hang gliders
- Reserve parachute and helmet
Hazards:
- Strong east winds can create a dangerous rotor zone over the cliffs west of the gondola station. Avoid launching in strong east winds and take a wide flight path over the valley to avoid the rotor.
- Strong anabatic flow into the Capilano watershed can feel like east wind.
- Stay clear of the ridge west of the gondola station in strong east winds, as returning from this ridge can be difficult or impossible.
- The Cleveland Park landing zone (LZ) is surrounded by high trees, fences, and may be used by people engaged in various sporting activities. Visit the landing field before heading up the mountain and plan your landing approach carefully.
- Both Cleveland Park and Handsworth Field are highly thermic in the middle of the day.
Launch Access:
From Highway #1, travel north along Capilano Road/Nancy Greene Way to the end. Sign in and get your pass from guest services, then take the gondola to the top of the mountain. Walk over to the peak chair and take it up to the launch site.
Launch Description:
The launch site is at 4000 feet (1200 meters) ASL, facing SSW with an excellent groomed slope on the ski hill. The set-up area is moderately sized on a rocky and bushy ski slope. Ensure a good clean run as sink could be present just in front of the launch.
Paraglider Landing Zone:
The LZ is at 600 feet (180 meters) ASL at Cleveland Park, a sports field at the base of Grouse Mountain. The GMFT arranges with the District of North Vancouver to use the field, and pilots pay a user fee. The LZ is tight, surrounded by high trees, houses, backstops, and a busy roadway. Sports may be in progress. The best approach is a westerly downwind, then turn behind or in front of the tree off the southwest corner of the LZ. Head north over houses on the west side of the road, then make a right turn, dive for the edge of the field, ground skim across the field, and flare.
Site Regulations:
- Formal HPAC Insurance
- P3 rating
- Approved GMFT guest pass
- A skills demonstration and logbook may also be required
Airspace:
CYA 133 (H) to 5000 feet (1524 meters) ASL.
Radio Frequency:
- Club: 146.415 MHz and 146.550 MHz
- Aircraft: 123.4 MHz and 173.640 MHz
Flying Season:
Excellent in spring and summer.
For more information, contact the British Columbia Paragliding and Hang Gliding Association: [BCHPA Contact](http://www.bchpa.ca/contact-us.html).
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