Paragliding Mt. Swansea South Invermere, BC

Mt. Swansea, located in British Columbia, Canada, offers a fantastic paragliding experience with an elevation of 1,720 meters and a height difference of 855 meters. This site is regularly used and is known for its excellent cross-country (XC) potential, often yielding better XC flight logs compared to the northwest and west launches. A briefing is recommended before flying. The site record stands at an impressive 107.2 km. To reach the launch point, you'll need to undertake a 100-meter vertical walk-up on a switchback trail through the forest after navigating a 4WD drive road. While the launch is more favorable for hang gliders (HG), it is less ideal for paragliders (PG). For wind conditions, you can check the following links: - [Wind Conditions](http://www.paraglider.ca/cgi-bin/wind.cgi?sid=SWANSEA) - [Additional Wind Info](http://www.paraglider.ca/cgi-bin/p24g.cgi?sid=SWANSEA) For more information or to book a lesson, visit [Flying Max](https://flyingmax.com/area/swansea/). The local club, Columbia Valley Free Flight, provides detailed information about flying sites at Mt. Swansea. Visit their page [here](http://columbiavalleyfreeflight.com/flying-sites/mt-swansea/). Mt. Swansea has a rich history, having been established as a B.C. Forest Service lookout in 1924. It also hosts one of the longest-running hang gliding and paragliding events in North America, known as the Lakeside Event. Only members of the Columbia Valley Hang Gliding and Paragliding Society are permitted to fly and land here. Ensure you sign up [here](http://columbiavalleyfreeflight.com/flying-sites/mt-swansea/). The Invermere Airport is located 2 miles northwest of the summit. Pilots are advised to use an aircraft radio (Frequency 123.20) to monitor and communicate with local air traffic, as the airport can be busy with regular air traffic, glider activity, and helicopter operations for forestry work, search and rescue, and firefighting. Launches: - **Northwest Launch**: Accommodates about 3 wings and is ideal for afternoon and evening flights. - **South Launch**: Accommodates about 2 wings and is best for morning flights. - There is also a narrow metal ramp specifically for hang gliders. Landing: P2/H2 pilots can only land at the designated landing field at Swansea Loop Road. The map shows the aircraft approach for the Invermere Airport, noting that air traffic approaching from the south flies close to the takeoff site and directly over the landing site. For more information or to get in touch with the British Columbia Paragliding and Hang Gliding Association, visit [BCHPA Contact](http://www.bchpa.ca/contact-us.html). For visual insights, check out these videos: - [Video 1]( ) - [Video 2]( ) - [Video 3]( ) - [Video 4]( )