New Paragliding and Hang gliding site in the Kootenays -Whitetale Mtn.

Brent and Tanya DuBois attended my last paragliding course and invited me to check out what flying potentials they might have from their property at Whitetale lake. Last Wednesday Aaron Cameron, Dominic Huges and myself made a little road trip to check it out.
Whitetale Lake is south-west of Fairmont Hot Springs and north-west of Canal Flats. The DuBois property is on the north end of the lake with 2 duplex cabins (for rent) and a Paragliding and Hang gliding campground. The site has 3 landing sites, one right at the lake, one right at the campground (in the smaller green field) and one at a huge field if the winds get to strong or for hang gliders. 

It takes about 25-35 minutes to drive a good gravel road to the take-off site which is on top of Whitetale Mtn (2125 meter). The glide ratio to the landing site is about 3 and the landing site is 1020 meters lower at 1105 meters. This will gives you plenty of height to find thermals or to fly out over the lake and practice some of your acro maneuvers. The lake is about 5-10 feet deep on the north end and will be up to 65 feet deep on the south end of the lake. 

The top of the mountain (main ridge) is clear-logged which offers plenty of space and endless opportunities to create even more take off sites. For now Brent cleared one section for a nice take off area which can and will be expended once it gets more busy. 

The take off is facing east and is an ideal morning to early afternoon site. The ride very well protected from the west wind as there is another ridge right behind at about 2500 meters and further west another ridge with 2700 meter high mountains. There is also some good potential of XC flights in the area and the terrain is spectacular. 

Below is a Google map of the are and a picture and short video of the site. 

We are planning to go camping coming up weekend, let us know who likes to join us. 

Easter Meet at Panorama

This was our 16th annual Easter flying meet at Panorama Mountain Resort.
The weather was exceptional and so were the number of participants. 36 pilots came with their friends and families to enjoy what Panorama Resort had to offer.

"Sunny and Hot" was the weather everyday, which was perfect to fly and ski. Virtually, there was no chance to sit down and relax, as there was so much to do.
This year Dave Gorzitza won the trophy, Max and Katia on tandem came in second and Nathan Livingston was 3rd.

On Saturday we had 6 pilots (Frank Kernick, Derek Yuill, Chris Wilson, Mike Waddington, Nathan Livingston and myself) getting high above Panorama (3500 m) and then flying out to the Valley. Nathan flew home to Wilmer, I flew to Mt. Swansea and to my place and the others landed at the Lakeside Pub beach.
The highlight of the meet was the visit from Dannie Wolf and Stewart Midwinter. It was so great to see both of them come and join us for dinner. This year we dedicated the Easter Meet to Dannie Wolf who had a towing accident last year and is currently in a wheel chair.
Thanks again to everybody who donated cash or auction items and could raise $2200 (The Lakeside meet bought the auction items for $500 to use at the Lakeside meet) for Dannie.

Last but not least, we also like to thank Panorama Resort and their awesome staff for hosting our unique event.


Click here to get to the Easter Meet Photo Album


Tandem with the kids


Flight from Panorama to Invermere