West Rutland

West Rutland is a Vermont ridge site with a hang-glider-focused covered metal ramp facing south-west, and a large shaded setup area under a grove that can accommodate up to 30 hang gliders. It gives good ridge soaring and — surprisingly for the region — frequent wonder-wind conditions. Local terrain produces thermals whenever conditions are at all favourable, even though the classic SW day is not usually the region's best thermal day. The drive to launch is through a locked gate, so first-time visitors need a local to open it.

Launch & conditions

Covered metal ramp facing SW. Most HGs find launch very comfortable; paraglider pilots must lay out and pull up behind the ramp, then carefully launch without running off the side. Best in calm to moderate SW winds; soarable in light S through W. Large setup area under shade trees fits up to 30 HGs.

Getting there & local rules

Exit Route 4 into West Rutland. Left at the traffic light at the end of the extended off-ramp; through town; right just before the road passes back under Route 4. The drive to launch is behind a locked gate — have a local show you the driveway and unlock it. Best done with a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle. Keep the parking area at the top clear for the wire crews arriving after you. Main LZ: a large hayfield about ¼ mile west of Jake's old house — a small driveway leads down over a bridge to the field; do not park along the driveway (only in the designated area near the manure pile).

Local rules & hazards

Launch is next to a natural gap in the ridge — air accelerates through the gap: 10 mph on the ridge can be 30 mph in the gap. Don't get caught in the gap with a wing that can't penetrate. Light south wind days are fine, but as wind speed increases, turbulence over a point (Birds Eye) across the valley worsens sharply — strong south days here have a history.

Check conditions before you fly

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