Paragliding Kijimadaira Sky Sports Area Sancho Peak

Kijimadaira Sky Sports Area, located in the Kijimadaira Ski Resort in Nagano Prefecture, offers a year-round paragliding experience. The site is accessible by car, just 20 minutes from the Toyota/Iiyama ramp of the Johetsu Expressway, or by train, with a 15-minute taxi ride from Iiyama Station on the JR Iiyama Line. The flying season is divided into two periods: the summer season from late April to early November, and the winter season from late December to the end of March. The Kijimadaira Paraglider School, which has bilingual staff (Japanese/English), operates here and offers training and support. You can contact them at 0269-82-4100 or via email at kijimaps@dia.janis.or.jp. More information is available on their [website](http://www.dia.janis.or.jp/~kijimaps/). The main takeoff point, Sancho (peak) TO, is situated at an altitude of 1,250 meters above sea level. The takeoff area is a cliff with a capacity of 15m x 50m, facing north. The GPS coordinates for the takeoff are N36°48′01″ E138°24′27″. After takeoff, you should go straight, with a ski lift to the top on the right side and a grove on the left side. Flight conditions include mild thermals, with soaring conditions divided into thermal soaring (40%), ridge soaring (20%), and sleddies (40%). The altitude difference between takeoff and landing is 550 meters, with a distance of 1,500 meters. The landing area is a 200m x 200m ski slope at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level, with GPS coordinates N36°48′48″ E138°24′22″. Landing requires crabbing along the slope. Access from the landing to the takeoff point involves a 5-minute car ride, a 12-minute ski lift, and a 3-minute walk, totaling about 20 minutes. For cross-country flights, a JHF-XC or IPPI ParaPro 5 certification is required, and an application must be submitted in advance. In addition to paragliding, the area offers various activities such as canoe touring on the Chikuma River, exploring the Kayanodaira-kogen highland, and relaxing in the Maguse-onsen and Yutaki-onsen hot springs. During the summer, you can enjoy canoeing and mountain biking, while winter activities include skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. For more details, visit the [Nagano Paragliding Area](http://jhf.hangpara.or.jp/area/2010area/nagano_eng.htm#anchor2010nagano01) and [Nagano Site](http://jhf.hangpara.or.jp/english/site/site/Nagano.html#anchor2003nagano12) pages.