Slide

Slide is one of the more comfortable, well-set-up sites near Reno, with a large paved parking lot serving as launch and a big, flat, grassy landing near Highway 395. Summer is when it comes alive — one of the most active thermal sites in the area then, with genuine XC potential — and on quieter days it doubles as one of the biggest sled runs around, with several thousand feet of vertical relief. Real mountain-flying hazards apply: emergency landing zones are limited once you're out over the terrain, wind shear between layers can appear unpredictably depending on the weather, and launching mid-slope on the lee side of the prevailing wind means paying attention to wind gradient and rotor. Inflate well back from the edge and run through the rotor zone right at launch's lip. Conditions at 7,600ft can change fast, so check the anemometer at Slide Mountain Peak before committing, and be respectful of the Mt. Rose parking lot and staff — their goodwill keeps this site available.

Launch & conditions

Launch is a large, flat, asphalt parking lot. Inflate well back from the edge and run forward through the rotor zone at the lip of launch, on the lee side of the prevailing wind.

Getting there & local rules

Access is open — stage a shuttle vehicle at the landing zone first, then drive Mt. Rose Highway 431 to Slide Lodge Road; parking for launch is in front of Slide Lodge. Landing is large, flat and grassy near Highway 395, with parking for several shuttle cars.

Local rules & hazards

This is genuine mountain flying: emergency landing zones are limited once you're out over the terrain, wind shear between layers can show up unpredictably, and launching mid-slope on the lee side of the prevailing wind means real wind-gradient and rotor risk. Conditions at 7,600ft change quickly, so check the anemometer at Slide Mountain Peak before committing.

Check conditions before you fly

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