Crested Butte Mountain
Paragliding site · United States
- Launch altitude
- 3,396 m
- Level
- Experienced pilots
- Best season
- —
- Landing
- —
Works on W · NW
Where it is
Crested Butte Mountain, in the Colorado Rockies 30 minutes north of Gunnison, is a high-altitude P4/H4 launch inside a US Forest Service Special Use permit area held by Crested Butte Mountain Resort. It is insured and regulated by the Gunnison Valley Paragliding Association and the Crested Butte Soaring Society — you cannot just show up. Every visiting pilot needs a site introduction from a local pilot, has to be current on high-altitude launch skills (with HA and TUR special-skills ratings), and must sign the CBMR waiver and site regulations before flying. Intermediate (P3/H3) pilots with at least 50 hours may fly with a P4/H4 sponsor. Non-commercial tandems (T2/T3) require prior CBMR + GVPA approval — allow 7–14 days.
Launch & conditions
P4/H4 site inside a US Forest Service Special Use permit area. High-altitude launch — pilots must be current in high-altitude launch skills with HA and TUR special-skills ratings.
Getting there & local rules
30 minutes north of Gunnison via Highway 135. Contact a local pilot BEFORE flying — a site introduction from a local is mandatory. CBMR may have temporary road closures for ski-area construction or other users.
Local rules & hazards
Access is strictly regulated: every visiting pilot must be introduced by a local, sign the CBMR waiver and site regulations, and hold the HA + TUR special-skills ratings. P3/H3 pilots with 50+ hours can fly under a P4/H4 sponsor; non-commercial tandems need prior CBMR + GVPA approval (7–14 days lead time). Wind flow at valley level can be very complex — read conditions carefully.
Check conditions before you fly
A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Crested Butte Mountain, 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 Crested Butte Mountain with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.
Conditions right now
Live — the same sources the OutDare app uses
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Is it usually flyable?
Set your wing's wind range once — the live 7-day outlook and the last 12 months both answer for Crested Butte Mountain.
Surface wind (10 m) in km/h — the same number you read on any forecast.
The 7-day outlook and the 12-month history below both update to your range.
7-day wind outlook
High-resolution models — the same OutDare uses.
Loading the forecast…
Over the last 12 months
82% of days flyable
298 of 365 days had a dry 2-hour+ window in your range, from a direction this site flies
Best month
Mar · 100%
Flyable days by month
A day counts as flyable when the surface wind held in your range, from a direction the site flies, with no rain, for at least 2 hours in a row (08:00–20:00) — from hourly 10 m wind over the last 12 months. A seasonal wind guide only: it can't judge gusts, thermals or turbulence, and never replaces the live forecast, airspace checks and your own judgement.
Nearby flying sites
Site facts from the OutDare flying-site database. Always verify current access and regulations with the local club before flying.