Paragliding Prairie Mountain, AB

Type of Site: Hike & Fly Mountain Site (PG) This is an “all seasons” hike and fly site located at the eastern end of Kananaskis Country. The grassy slopes on top of this well-hiked foothill offer a variety of low-stress launching directions. This site is a favorite for local hike-and-fly enthusiasts and serves as a nice alternative when the Bow Valley winds are too strong at nearby Canmore flying sites. Access: Drive along Alberta Highway 66 until you reach the Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area. Park either in the Elbow Falls parking lot or along the shoulder of the highway just outside the gate. The hike is 3.2 km one way, with approximately 666 m of elevation gain. The trail starts with an abrupt climb from the highway, followed by a brief flat section. After about a kilometer of gentle grade, you will encounter a steep climb through the trees up the rest of the hill. The last 20% of the hike is above the treeline and is relatively easy. The hike should take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, depending on the weight of your kit and your fitness level. Outside of summer, consider bringing Yaktrax or equivalent shoe coverings for the hike. The trail can get icy, especially during the freeze-thaw cycles of spring. Launch: Most pilots will launch along the glaciated summit block, which has a mixture of grass and talus, facing to the Southwest. There is ample room for no-wind launches, but pilots should be aware of the trees not too far below the launch. Pilots with a P2 rating and above should be capable of using the SW launch. There is also a less frequented option of launching to the Northeast. This is a cliff launch and comes with its own set of inherent risks, including exposure and rotor. Only pilots with a P3 rating and previous cliff-launch/mountain launch experience should attempt the Northeast option. Landing: The landing area is a grassy clearing directly NW of Highway 66. The field may look flat from the air but is actually slightly sloped towards the South. Take care to note your groundspeed, the height of the trees, and the slope of the ground before your landing attempt. The field itself is arguably either just inside or just outside the Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area, depending on which set of maps you are looking at. If Parks authorities stop to question you, please be courteous and explain what you are doing, as well as your interpretation of the boundaries. They will generally be understanding. Do not land on the road unless an emergency demands that you do so. Bailouts between launch and landing are sparse. Unless you gain immediate height over the summit, head out to the landing area as early as possible. Try your best to anticipate any valley flow before positioning yourself over the landing field. Airspace: The takeoff for this site is within the Calgary CAE (Class E), extending from 5,800 ft to overflying airspace. The Calgary TCA starts approximately 6 km east of the site and extends from 8,000 ft to 12,500 ft. The boundary is marked on the ground by the Paddy Flats campground. Flying a paraglider is not permitted in Class C airspace. XC Options: XC is limited as you are sandwiched between the Calgary TCA on the east and the Provincial Park boundary on the west. If you gain height, an out-and-return to Moose Mountain is a reasonable goal. There are bailouts available in the valley below, but be aware of venturi if you happen to sink out. Site Weather Links: [Canada RASP Windgrams](http://canadarasp.com/windgrams/?region=9&location=15&plotType=0) Local Contact: Brandon Hopkins - ab.hgpg.association@gmail.com For more information, visit [Alberta Free Flight](https://www.albertafreeflight.ca/prairie-mount).