Rev. 01-06-2025
Please read the entire document. There is very important information about site safety and local requirements.
Crested Butte Soaring Society (CBSS) is a non-profit club that supports and maintains standards for hang gliding and paragliding flights in Crested Butte, Colorado. Membership fees go towards the maintenance of the launch site off of Mt. Crested Butte, CB Launch (aka Browns Launch), and the Landing Zone in the town of Crested Butte. Browns Launch is owned or operated by Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the US Forest Service GMUG District.
Crested Butte Soaring Society members in good standing are permitted to fly from this site provided all rating requirements have been met. All pilots must be accompanied by a CBSS guide pilot. Access to both launch sites is available via the Silver Queen Chair Lift when operating in the winter and summer season. Further summer access is available via a 4×4 road. A vehicle permit provided to guide pilots by Crested Butte Mountain Resort is required. Club officers and CBSS guide pilots are available by phone or our telegram chat group to provide club paperwork, take in fees, and provide site and weather information.
Crested Butte is a high alpine area with thin, dry and occasionally very active air. Launches are about 2400 feet vertical from launch to landing. Brown’s Launch is West Facing and requires a minimum of a H4/P4 or foreign equivalent. This is due to the technical aspects of CB Launch. CB Launch is a high altitude launch and requires HA and TUR special ratings. It is a very small launch only large enough for a single glider sitting on top of a large boulder field. This combined with the fact the LZ cannot be seen from launch, the small trees nearby and a running chairlift is why it is an H4/P4 launch where a failed launch can have severe consequences. At the discretion of an CBSS guide pilot a H3/P3 with a minimum of 20 hours or 20 flights in the current flying season and a check off flight may be permitted to fly Paragliders must have a minimum glide performance of 5:1 L/D. Landing Zones (LZ) are the CB Main LZ on the south side of the Crested Butte Community School, there is a bailout LZ on Mt. Crested Butte and an Emergency LZ near rainbow park. These LZ’s have limited access for paragliding and all other activities.
All visiting pilots are required to obtain a membership in the local club. Proof of USHPA rating is required. An adequate helmet (full face is highly recommended), reserve parachute, CORSAR Card or current Fishing / Hunting license, two-way radio that must be tuned to a frequency specified by the guide pilot and current glider certificate are also required. Visiting pilots must check in with a club officer. They must demonstrate an understanding of, and willingness to follow, all local site rules (included in this document), in addition to national SOP set by USHPA.
Crested Butte is a high alpine flying site with 2400 vertical-feet-flights. Thermal conditions are common in the summer and some ridge soaring is possible. Crested Butte Mountain Resort has a weather station (“Crested Butte Mtn R”) that can be accessed via this link. Extensive weather data is available here.
Monitoring conditions is one of our highest priorities for safety. Conditions at high altitude can change quickly so parameters for flying vary depending on wind speed and direction. In general, we look for wind gusts not to exceed 22 mph for hang gliders and 20 mph for paragliders. We look for a minimum of 3 mph and 12 is ideal for HG. For PG we want a minimum of 3 mph and 10 is ideal. Additionally, for wind direction we will launch from 250 degrees – 325 degrees and 270 degrees – 310 degrees is ideal. A southerly component is normal and not a good one due to rotor off of the surrounding rocks, trees and ridges; also the gust factor historically increases rapidly. Crested Butte valley winds are also a concern. Flying is highly discouraged when the winds increase to these levels.
Browns Launch and the CB Main LZ have wind socks and multiple streamers.
In addition to meeting all of the general site requirements and acceptable flying conditions outlined within this site guide, winter launches are also required to meet the following conditions:
There are few natural obstacles at our site. Browns Launch is surrounded by boulders, trees and a chair lift. The chair lift has a mandatory No Fly Zone of 300’ in all directions, all the time for all seasons. The CB Main LZ is in open space but fences and imperfections on the ground exist. CB Main LZ does have power lines and a road on the west, as well as fences on the east and south side of the open space. Historically, hang gliders have been landing there for over 45 years so the CB Main LZ is sufficient for paragliding and hang gliding operations.
CB Main LZ has street parking and a parking lot that is away from the main landing area. The CB Main LZ is designated Open Space. No motorized vehicles are allowed in any Crested Butte LZ area.
Spectators are welcome and often present. CBSS guide pilots will keep the Launch and LZ clear of congestion for landing gliders. Both the CB Main LZ and Browns launch have a comfortable and convenient viewing area with bleachers and benches in the summer and a standing area in the winter and parking near the baseball field at the CB Main LZ.
Brown’s Launch: This is a H4/P4 skill-level launch site.
Elevation | Latitude | Longitude
11,300 FT | 38.889500000N | -106.9456000W
Crested Butte Mtn Resort – extensive weather data is available here.
Shuttle: Coordinate with a CBSS guide pilot. Check the telegram group or call to see when we are meeting and a vehicle is going up the 4×4 Road in the summer. During the summer and winter operating hours the Silver Queen Chair Lift can be taken to launch.
Town Ranch Main LZ OPEN
Elevation | Latitude | Longitude
8,858 FT | 38.864000000N | -106.9735000W
This Landing Zone (LZ) is in a large field located southeast of the Crested Butte Community School
Bus Route: There is a town shuttle that picks up from multiple locations nearby.
Silver Queen Chair Lift
The Silver Queen Chair Lift in front of launch has a No Fly Zone that extends 300 FT vertically and on all sides at all times during all seasons. Pilots must achieve adequate altitude at launch before crossing the chairlift or push out to an adequate altitude before crossing. If you think you are too close, fly away from the chair lift! Adequate altitude can be easily reached by flying out and away and will leave plenty of altitude to reach the main LZ.
ANY VIOLATION OF THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF YOUR SKI PASS, FLYING PRIVILEGES &/OR YOUR U.S.H.P.A. RATING
Bail Out LZ
Elevation | Latitude | Longitude
9720 FT | 38.894100000N | -106.9604000W
The Bail Out LZ Landing Zone (LZ) is a clearing south of the West Wall Chair Lift. Pilots can hike down or ride the chairlift down from this LZ. This LZ is on the mountain and during operating hours could have skiers, bikers or hikers in the vicinity so take caution!
Please proceed to the Membership page for information on how to fill out the required paperwork.