Located in the Central Okanagan Valley, northwest of Kelowna, British Columbia, this paragliding site offers a unique flying experience with stunning views over Okanagan Lake. The launch site is at an elevation of 2800 feet ASL, while the landing zone (LZ) is at 1400 feet ASL. This site is primarily used for hike & fly and thermal soaring, making it a good choice for early morning flights.
Due to its proximity to the Kelowna Airport, pilots must contact the Kelowna Airport Tower at 250-765-3426 before flying. The site is under controlled airspace, with Class E airspace from 700 feet AGL to 5100 feet ASL and Class D airspace at 6000 feet ASL.
The launch direction is northeast, and the site is suitable for paragliding only. The type of flying includes ridge and thermal soaring. The cross-country potential is poor, but the scenery and smooth launch make it worthwhile. The best times to fly are from late morning to 5 PM, but be cautious as conditions can turn catabatic around 5:30 PM.
The landing zone is a large, sloping scrub field used exclusively for recreational flying. It is too small for hang gliding, and pilots must avoid flying over the parking lot or nearby houses. The LZ is sensitive and belongs to the Central Okanagan Regional District (Parks).
To reach the launch site, head north from Kelowna on Westside Road to Traders Cove Marine Park, where the LZ is located. From there, drive 1.7 km west on Bear Creek Road, turn left, stay left at the fork, and continue approximately 0.5 km to the launch site, which is not visible from the road.
The flying season varies, with spring being the most favorable, followed by fall, summer, and winter. A rugged 2WD or 4WD vehicle is recommended for access.
For more information, you can contact the local paragliding school at https://www.paraglidecanada.com/ or the local club at http://www.flyok.ca and their Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/300758033678449.
Primary local contacts for paragliding include:
- Edmond Rivère: 250-317-2335, edmondr@shaw.ca
- Gerry Monty: 250-769-8083, Cell: 250-861-0678, gmonty5@shaw.ca
- John Arnold: 250-764-4404, Cell: 250-718-1513, jwga@telus.net
For additional information, you can visit the British Columbia Paragliding and Hang Gliding Association at http://www.bchpa.ca/contact-us.html.
Watch a video of the site here:
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