Bir Billing

Launching from Billing at around 2,400 metres and landing in the village of Bir, this is the most famous flying site in the Himalayas and one of the great cross-country arenas on the planet. Big mountain air, towering thermals and long ridges have made Bir Billing a pilgrimage for XC and acro pilots alike, and the host of international competitions. The scenery — snow peaks on one side, the Kangra valley on the other — is simply in a class of its own.

Launch & conditions

A high Himalayan launch feeding strong thermals and long ridge lines. This is serious mountain flying with powerful conditions.

Getting there & local rules

Road access connects Bir and Billing. Altitude, big air and remote terrain make this a site for experienced pilots flying with local guidance.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Bir Billing, 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 Bir Billing with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.