Paragliding Aspen

Crested Butte, USA, offers a scenic paragliding flight with a takeoff altitude of 3421 meters and a height difference of 620 meters. This site is occasionally used and is more popular during the winter months when the Crested Butte road is closed. The site record for the longest flight is 23.6 km. For more information and updates, you can visit their Facebook page: [Fly Crested Butte](https://www.facebook.com/flycrestedbutte).

This west-facing launch bowl is located beneath Ruthie's chair lift, approximately 100 yards below the unloading station at the top. A windsock is positioned on the north side of the launch area. Requirements: - Rating: USHPA P-3 or equivalent - Parapente Aspen Membership: $50/year or $25 for a 30-day visitor pass - Site briefing from a Parapente Aspen Club member - Helmet, radio, and reserve parachute - Paraglider with a minimum performance of 5:1 L/D Restricted Air Space: All flights from Ruthie's require clearance from the Aspen Airport Tower before entering the Restricted Class “D” Airspace. Pilots must call the airport tower to close clearance after landing: 970/925-6898. Weather: For weather updates, contact AWOS at 970/920-0759. Access: - Shuttle: $10 via Aspen Paragliding, contact 970/379-6975. Check the website for shuttle schedules. - 4x4 Road: Take Original St. to the foot of Aspen Mountain, continue up Richmond Hill Rd (CR 14 – dirt road) to Bonnie's Restaurant, turn right and continue straight to the launch. - Chair Lift: Parapente Aspen credentials and a lift pass are required to board chair lifts and must be available for inspection by SkiCo employees. Access to both launch sites is available via the Silver Queen Gondola during winter and summer seasons. Further access is available via a 4x4 road in the summer. Aspen Paragliding has special access through the ASC (Aspen Ski Co) in the early season before public access is available. Parapente Aspen members can ride on the school truck for a fee, provided space is available. Aspen Paragliding’s shop is located at 426 South Spring St. during the summer months, where members can pay/renew their dues and get weather information from local instructors or club officers. In the winter, club officers are available by phone to provide club paperwork, take fees, and provide site and weather information. Aspen is a high alpine area with thin, dry, and occasionally very active air. Launches are about 3000 feet vertical from launch to landing. There are two launch sites: Walshes (east-facing) and Ruthie's (west-facing), both requiring a minimum of a P3 rating to fly as a visiting pilot. Mini wings are only permitted on Walshes with proper USHPA M2 signoff. P2 pilots can fly but only with Aspen Paragliding instructor supervision. Landing Zones (LZ) include the Northstar Nature Preserve on the east side of town, which has limited access for paragliding and other activities, and the Marolt Ranch Open Space on the west, which has a portion designated as a flight park/memorial for the late hang glider pilot Scott Bloom. Some mountain bike traffic goes through this area, but signage advises users to be aware of flight activity. Visiting and New Pilot Requirements: All visiting pilots are required to obtain a membership in the local club and provide proof of USHPA rating. Visiting pilots must check in with a club officer or local tandem instructor and demonstrate an understanding of, and willingness to follow, all local site rules, in addition to national SOP set by USHPA. Acceptable Flying Conditions: Aspen is a high alpine flying site with 3000 vertical feet flights. Thermal conditions are common in the summer, and some ridge soaring is possible. Parapente Aspen provides a weather station ("Debbie") accessible via the internet, offering extensive weather data. Tandem instructors monitor airport frequency for current wind speeds, gusts, and direction. Large-scale weather services can also be checked for radar, winds aloft, and current winds to the west of the location. Monitoring conditions is crucial for safety. Conditions at high altitude can change quickly, so parameters for flying vary depending on wind speed and direction. Generally, wind gusts should not exceed 12 mph, with gusts no higher than 18 mph. A southerly component is usually not favorable, so these numbers are reduced as gust factors increase rapidly. Aspen’s valley winds are also a concern due to the Venturi effect from multiple valleys, so winds at the airport should stay below 15 mph. Flying is highly discouraged when winds increase to these levels. All pilots in the air are requested to land when conditions reach these levels. All launches and LZs have wind fins and multiple streamers. Obstacles: There are few natural obstacles at the sites as they are in open space, but trees and ground imperfections exist. The Marolt LZ has power lines and trees on the east side around 75% of the open space. Historically, hang gliders have been landing there for over 30 years, making the Marolt LZ sufficient for paragliding operations. No Fly Zone: Gondola The gondola has a No Fly Zone extending 1,000 feet horizontally on all sides of the lift line. At 13,000 feet, the No Fly Zone angles inward until it bisects the gondola plane at 14,200 feet. If you think you are too close, fly away from the gondola! Violating the Gondola No Fly Zone results in a 3-month suspension of flying privileges for local pilots or one year for visiting pilots. Pilots are prohibited from flying over the gondola regardless of altitude. Any violation of these rules may result in the loss of your ski pass, flying privileges, and/or your USHPA rating. Winter Season No Fly Zone: Chair Lifts When the chair lifts are running, pilots must fly outside the ski area boundary as soon as practical for the duration of the flight. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) are in effect over the lift for its operation duration, requiring pilots to maintain a flight path 45° away from the lift line. The horizontal distance must be greater than the altitude above the lift. If Walshes ski run is closed, pilots must receive permission from Ski Patrol before going to launch. If permission is granted, access the launch via the summer side trail to avoid leaving tracks that other skiers will follow. For more information, visit: - Aspen Paragliding: [Aspen Paragliding](https://www.aspenparagliding.com/visiting-pilots/) - Facebook Group: [Aspen Paragliding Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/536682599707340/) - Site Guide: [Aspen Paragliding Site Guide](https://www.aspenparagliding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/siteguide_aspen2019.pdf)

At an elevation of 3397 meters with a height difference of 980 meters, this paragliding site is rarely used and primarily suited for thermal soaring flights. For more information and to understand the rules, please visit [Aspen Paragliding Visiting Pilots](https://www.aspenparagliding.com/visiting-pilots/) or join the discussion on their [Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/536682599707340/). For additional options, consider exploring other nearby sites.

At an elevation of 3448 meters with a height difference of 750 meters, this paragliding site is considered medium-easy. It is regularly used and offers good thermalling conditions, making it possible for cross-country (XC) flights. The site is accessible via a chairlift, although the road is closed during winter. Located in the USA, the site has a recorded flight distance of 54.0 km. For more information or to connect with local pilots, you can reach out to the Crested Butte Soaring Society through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/flycrestedbutte/

At an elevation of 3748 meters with a height difference of 1000 meters, this paragliding site is rarely used. It is primarily suited for hike-and-fly enthusiasts and offers scenic flights with the potential for small cross-country (XC) routes. Due to limited information and the absence of an official landing zone, it is recommended for experienced pilots who are comfortable with less structured environments.

This paragliding site in Colorado, USA, has a takeoff altitude of 2422 meters and a height difference of 440 meters. It is rarely used but offers the possibility for cross-country (XC) flights. The site is suitable for hike and fly activities. The site record for the longest flight is 32.8 kilometers. Further details about the site are not available.

At an elevation of 3316 meters, this site in Colorado offers a scenic flight experience with some potential for cross-country (XC) flying. It's typically best to launch early in the day to avoid unfavorable wind conditions that may blow over the back. Access to the launch site is facilitated by a shuttle service. Flights in this region are characterized by high alpine conditions with thin, dry, and occasionally very active air. The vertical drop from launch to landing is approximately 3000 feet. There are two main launch sites: Walshes (East Facing) and Ruthie’s (West Facing). Requirements for flying here include a USHPA P-3 rating or equivalent, a Parapente Aspen Membership, a site briefing from a Parapente Aspen Club Member, and essential gear such as a helmet, radio, and reserve parachute. Your paraglider should have a minimum performance of 5:1 L/D. Weather conditions can be monitored via the AWOS at 970/920-0759, located at Ruthie’s Launch. Shuttle services are available for $10 through Aspen Paragliding, and you can check their website for the schedule. Access is also possible via a 4x4 road or chair lifts and gondolas, but you will need Parapente Aspen credentials and a lift pass. The Silver Queen Gondola provides access to both launch sites during the winter and summer seasons. Aspen Paragliding offers special access through the Aspen Ski Co (ASC) in the early season before public access is available. Parapente Aspen members can ride on the school truck for a fee, provided space is available. Aspen Paragliding’s shop is located at 426 South Spring St. during the summer months. Landing Zones (LZ) include the Northstar Nature Preserve on the east side of town and the Marolt Ranch Open Space on the west side, which also serves as a memorial flight park. Visiting pilots must obtain a membership in the local club and provide proof of their USHPA rating. They must also check in with a club officer or local tandem instructor and demonstrate an understanding of local site rules. Acceptable flying conditions generally include wind gusts not exceeding 12 mph, with gusts no higher than 18 mph. A southerly wind component is usually not favorable. Valley winds are also a concern due to the Venturi effect, so winds at the airport should stay below 15 mph. There are few natural obstacles at the launch sites, but the Marolt LZ has power lines and trees on the east side. There is a strict No Fly Zone around the gondola, extending 1,000 feet horizontally on all sides of the lift line. Violating this zone can result in a suspension of flying privileges. Additionally, during the winter season, pilots must avoid flying over chair lifts and maintain a flight path 45° away from the lift line. For more information, visit: - Aspen Paragliding: [Aspen Paragliding](https://www.aspenparagliding.com/visiting-pilots/) - Facebook Group: [Parapente Aspen](https://www.facebook.com/groups/536682599707340/) Watch a flight video here: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5cKsBciK4c)