Little Nic

Little Nic is a WSW-facing ridge soaring site in the Fraser Valley, well suited to newer pilots looking to start building cross-country experience, with plenty of places to land if a flight doesn't go as planned. The ridge soars nicely in light west to southwest wind, and on a good day there's potential to climb out toward Nicomen Mountain — as long as you're carrying enough height to cross the plateau safely. Launch sits at about 1,500 feet, is set up for two gliders at a time, and sits between trees on both sides, so keeping the wing level on launch really matters here. Because it faces southwest, this tends to be one of the last sites in the valley to shut down when the wind picks up elsewhere, though summer sea breezes from June through August can still build to real strength on their own. Landing is a large open grass field just left of launch, with a second option on the south side of the tracks if conditions call for it — try to land near the road rather than on open grass, to avoid flattening it.

Launch & conditions

Launch is a WSW-facing slope between trees at about 1,500ft, set up for two gliders at a time. Keep the wing level on launch, or you'll end up in the trees. The ridge soars in light west to southwest wind.

Getting there & local rules

From Highway 7 east of Mission, take Hawkins Pickle Road east; the drive to launch is about 16km — follow Norrish Creek Road to the reservoir, take the right fork after the bridge, then head south for 8km. Alternatively, park at the end of Hawkins Pickle Road by the gate and hike about 60 minutes, following the Raven Bluffs trail from the east side of the bridge, staying right at any spur trails, then turning left just before the Raven Bluffs summit to follow the ridge past a cabin to launch. Landing is a large open grass field just left of launch, or a second field on the south side of the tracks in stronger conditions — land near the road rather than on open grass to avoid flattening it.

Local rules & hazards

Flying here is unregulated — check in with local pilots before you go. This tends to be one of the last sites in the valley to get blown out, though summer sea breezes from June through August can still build up real strength.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Little Nic, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Little Nic with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.