The launch site at Panorama Mountain Resort in British Columbia, Canada, offers a unique paragliding experience, primarily used in late winter until Easter. This site is accessible only with skis or a snowboard, making it a specialized destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
The launch altitude ranges from 2330 to 2360 meters, with a height difference of 1110 meters. The launch area is steep and narrow, accommodating up to three gliders at a time. Setting up your wing can be tricky due to the steep slope, and it's crucial to avoid setting up on top of Roy’s Run to prevent conflicts with ski traffic.
The region offers some thermalling and cross-country (XC) flying opportunities, with breathtaking scenery. The site record is 16.9 km, meters down from the summit of Panorama Ski Resort.
Panorama Mountain Resort is a world-class destination with over 4000 vertical feet (1200 meters) of skiing and paragliding terrain. The resort features a variety of trails, from double black diamond glade skiing to novice-only trails, making it suitable for everyone.
Flights typically start as early as February, with the first XC flights to Invermere or Mt. Swansea possible by March. The cloud base can reach up to 3300 meters.
The resort hosts the 20th Easter Paragliding event from March 25-27. A single-day paraglider ticket costs $30.00 (plus tax) and is available only on flyable days. The vertical drop to the landing site is over 4000 feet.
Access to the launch sites is only possible with skis or a snowboard. Pilots must have a Novice Rating (P2 rating) and HPAC Liability Insurance. Speedwing flying is not allowed, and all pilots must sign a waiver. Contact Max Fanderl (max@flyingMax.com) for waiver forms and provide your HPAC membership number, expiry date, and rating.
Important guidelines include:
- No flying over the bottom high-speed Chair (Mile 1 Quad) area.
- No landings at the village; only land on designated landing sites or the golf course if it gets too windy.
- No launches after 3:00 pm.
- Cross lifts with at least 150 feet clearance.
- Pilots need skis or a snowboard to use the lift.
- Inform RK Heliski before heading up the mountain at 250 342-3889.
The primary launch site is 2/3 up the mountain, below the outhouses where the Cappuccino Hut used to be. This site is easy and shallow, accommodating up to five gliders facing NW. The summit launch, "Roy’s Run," is a steep, wide-open launch facing W to SW, suitable only for good skiers.
For landing, the designated field is the Golf Driving Range, located about 50 meters above the triple chair lift. If the wind is too strong from the west, land on the golf course below.
Flying suggestions include:
- Avoid taking off if the average wind speed exceeds 20 km/hour.
- Do not drift behind peaks in a thermal unless you are at least 150 meters above them.
- Continuously monitor wind direction and speed, as Panorama is known for sudden changes.
For more information, visit the British Columbia PG + HG Association: [Contact Us](http://www.bchpa.ca/contact-us.html).
Additional resources:
- [Panorama Info](https://flyingmax.com/area/panorama/)
- [Columbia Valley Free Flight Club](http://columbiavalleyfreeflight.com/flying-sites/panorama/)
- [Panorama Launch Site Video](
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