Paragliding Buchanan Kaslo, BC

Located northwest of Kaslo, this site offers a mix of ridge and thermal flying. The launch elevation is 6200 feet above sea level, with a landing zone at 1700 feet above sea level. The site is suitable for both hang gliding (HG) and paragliding (PG), though it is more commonly used by HG pilots. The primary launch direction is east, with a south-facing launch available at the top. The site is open from May to November. For paragliders, a more advanced launch is located beside the outhouse, while hang gliders have a dedicated ramp, although the east ramp has been removed. For a better paragliding experience, consider launching from Mt Milford, which is further up the ridge from Buchanan. The road to Mt Milford is rough and requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle for the first 1-2 km, then becomes more reasonable for about 4 km. The launch site is an obvious alpine meadow below the mountain top. To reach the launch sites, turn north off the Kaslo - New Denver highway, 8 km west of Kaslo. Follow the lookout sign, take the middle fork at 1.1 km, and turn right at 7.8 km to reach Buchanan Mt summit. For Mt Milford, take the left fork when Buchanan road approaches the ridge and the lookout tower is visible. Landing zones include: 1. Kaslo Airport, southwest of town at the base of True Blue Mountain. 2. A small recreational park immediately southeast of town, past the Moyie Paddlewheel. Be cautious of rocky areas. 3. For Mt Milford, landing is possible in Kaslo or more commonly at a community north of Shutty Bench. The site offers good cross-country potential with flights up to 24 km. Altitude gains can reach ceilings of 10,000 to 12,000 feet on occasion. The best times to fly are all day, with spring, summer, and fall being the most favorable seasons. Additional information: - Class 'G' Airspace - Radio Frequencies: 123.4 MHz (Aircraft) & 173.640 MHz (Local Club) - Insurance: HPAC or USHPA required - Local Contacts: - HG: Simon Mitchell (250-352-3036), Tyson Ehlers (250-226-7063), Jim Smith - PG: Mike Zimmerman (250-353-7393), Treavor Hollsworth (250-358-7277), Jason Leus (250-357-2490) The area is scenic and ideal for a holiday, with nearby attractions such as Ainsworth Hot Springs and old mine shafts featuring stalagmites and stalactites. The site also hosts the Kaslo Fly-In event. For more information, visit the Kaslo Fly-In event page.