Best Conditions
Description
Hedley is a paragliding and hang gliding site located in British Columbia, Canada. The launch area is situated north of Hedley, approximately 25 km west of Keremeos and 30 km east of Princeton along scenic Highway 3, about 3.5 hours east of Vancouver.
The site features a very large grassy takeoff area with a flat slope that gradually becomes steeper, making it suitable for both paragliding and hang gliding. The launch faces south with options for southeast and southwest directions. The area is spacious, allowing multiple gliders to set up and lay out comfortably.
The flying season extends from April to November, with the best conditions typically from April to mid-September. Spring and summer are particularly favorable for flying, while fall offers moderate conditions. Winter flying is generally not recommended.
Hedley is known for its excellent soaring and thermalling conditions, with good potential for cross-country flights. The site record is 93.5 km. Pilots can enjoy strong but manageable thermals, especially during the summer months. The area is also suitable for advanced pilots looking for challenging conditions.
The landing zones (LZ) around Hedley are varied, with several options available. The most commonly used landing fields include:
- The field directly below the Church
- The ball diamond in town
- The field west of town on a plateau
- The Gold Dust Pub field (watch for power lines)
- The smaller ball field across from the Upper Similkameen Band Hall
- The field directly south of the smaller ball field, which is safer with west winds
Pilots should be cautious of power lines, especially those hidden in trees or near pumping stations.
For transportation to the launch site, a 2WD vehicle is sufficient, but it is recommended to take the Mascot Mine Tour bus for $10. The bus schedule can be found at Mascot Mines.
Additional information and weather updates can be obtained from the Kerameos Webcam, which looks west towards Hedley. Pilots should be aware of the valley winds, which can pick up significantly and affect flying conditions.
The site operates under informal regulations, and pilots are encouraged to check in with local contacts and the Mascot Mine Tours before flying. The annual Thanksgiving Day Weekend Fly-In is a notable event held at Hedley.
For more details, visit:
- [West Coast Soaring Club](https://www.facebook.com/WestCoastSoaringClub/)
- [Fly OK](http://www.flyok.ca)
- [Explorex](http://www.explorex.net)
Local contacts for paragliding and hang gliding include:
- Peter Chrzanowski: 1-604-730-0151, Cell: 1-604-813-2200, petercperu@REMOVE_THISyahoo.ca
- Sean Dougherty: 250-497-6003, Cell: 250-286-0753, sean.dougherty@REMOVE_THISnrc.ca
- Russ Klatt: 250-498-9425, rjklatt@REMOVE_THISftcnet.com
- Jim Ongena: 250-486-7166, Cell: 250-486-7166, jim@REMOVE_THIScorporateheights.ca
For accommodations, there are several B&Bs in Hedley:
- [Hedley Inn](http://hedleyinn.com/rooms.html)
- [Colonial Inn B&B](http://colonialinnbb.ca/Rooms.htm)
Camping options include:
1. Old Hedley Road East Rec Site
2. Old Hedley Road West Rec Site
3. Pickard Creek Rec Site
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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