Parapente Sumas Mountain Sumas Peak, BC

Sumas Mountain, located in the Central Fraser Valley of South Western British Columbia, Canada, is a scenic but rarely used paragliding and hang gliding site. It is situated approximately 15 km northeast of Abbotsford, accessible via the Number 3 Road or Whatcom Rd. exit off Highway 1. To reach the launch site, follow North Parallel Rd. to Lower Sumas Mountain Rd., then to Batt Rd., and continue to the summit on the gravel road. Note that there is a gate 0.9 km before the parking lot; for access, contact a WCSC director. The paragliding landing zone is near the Vedder canal bridge, accessible by exiting Highway 1 at No 3 Road and following North Parallel Rd. NE. Hang gliders can land in farm fields either north or south of the parallel roads east of the Whatcom Road exit. The best flying season is during winter and early spring, particularly in easterly 'outflow' conditions. Summer flights are rare. The site supports both ridge soaring and some thermal flying, making it a reasonable choice for students. The launch area faces east at 2950' (900 m) ASL. Paragliders have a sloped launch area just west of the hang glider launch, which features a flat launch with a vertical cliff. Winds above 20 kmph (12 mph) can make launching tricky, and even winds above 8 kmph (5 mph) can be challenging. The setup area accommodates up to 8 gliders. The landing zone is a large open field at 100' (30 m) ASL, which can become turbulent below 50' (15 m) AGL in strong winds. Avoid landing in crop fields. Paragliders typically land at the cul de sac ending of North Parallel Road or alternatively at No. 3 Road or Whatcom Road LZs. Transportation to the site is possible with a two-wheel drive vehicle, though a four-wheel drive is recommended. The site is unregulated, but HPAC Insurance is required. The launch is within a Fraser Valley Regional District Park, so respect for the site is essential. For the latest information, contact a WCSC director. For more details, visit: - [Sumas Peak Trail Information](https://stevensong.com/coastal-interior-bc/fraser-valley/sumas-peak-sumas-mountain/) - [West Coast Soaring Club Sumas Site](http://www.westcoastsoaringclub.com/sites/sumas.php) - [British Columbia PG + HG Association Contact](http://www.bchpa.ca/contact-us.html)