The Canaan Valley Resort recently opened a new Hang Gliding / Paragliding launch site in the wooded area behind the existing ski hill. The site is a highly anticipated addition to the resort that should receive a significant degree of usage because of its very unique geographical setting. The launch site is accessible via the ski lift, it sits on a steep hillside that faces Southwest into the prevailing winds, and it provides all visitors with a wonderful view of the Red Creek Valley and Allegheny Front.
The launch site was seven years in the making. The majority of the time spent in preparing the launch was devoted to environmental concerns. The site, located at the 4000-foot elevation in the coniferous forests, is a possible habitat for the threatened Cheat Mountain Salamander. With a threatened species as a consideration, seven years of careful studies and site preparation were required to meet the Federal requirements to ensure that the species populations would be not be disrupted.
Fortunately, the Foundation for Free Flight and the Mountaineer Hang Gliding Club were able to work with the Canaan Valley State Park to prepare the site. The Foundation for Free Flight and the Mountaineer Hang Gliding Club funded the site insurance, provided the threatened species studies, and accomplished the site clearing. Because of this cooperative arrangement and the grants provided by the Foundation for Free Flight, the site was constructed with minimal cost to the Canaan Valley State Park.
The new launch site is truly unique. With its available infrastructure that includes a lodge, a restaurant and a chairlift, Canaan Valley hosts a facility that is available in few other North American places. As people discover what is available here, we think that the site will become an attraction to pilots from all over the eastern U.S.
Paragliding was born in the late 1980’s as an alternative means for mountaineers to descend from the mountains. Paragliding as a sport continued to grow and develop as the equipment rapidly improved and later became an offshoot of hang gliding. Paragliding today can now be compared to kayaking in the 1980’s. The paragliding equipment has now improved to the point where gliders can now be considered to be inexpensive aviation equipment.
Paragliding is an activity that accentuates the beauty of the hills in West Virginia. A paraglider is a silent low speed aircraft that poses no disturbance to birds or wildlife. Once on the ground, a paraglider folds up into a medium sized backpack that is easily transported from the landing area. Flying a paraglider can be comparable to anything from riding a roller coaster to sitting in a lounge chair (depending on conditions). In either case, the views to achieved from a Paraglider can be spectacular.
At the Canaan Valley Resort, the main paraglider landing zone has been designated at the visitor’s center lawn adjacent to the state park headquarters office. If the wind conditions preclude making it to the main landing zone, agreements have been reached to allow landing in designated areas in the Red Creek Valley.
The Canaan Valley Resort may be a particularly successful free flying site because it has a Southwest facing launch that faces into the prevailing winds. The site overlooks the Red Creek Valley (possibly the most significant East-West valley within the Appalachian range). The site’s southern exposure is accessible via a ski lift and is supported by a ski resort infrastructure.
It is believed that the new paragliding site will serve to complement the multitude of activities that are available in the Tucker County area. In addition to the two alpine ski hills, the extensive cross country skiing venues, the available rivers for all levels of canoeing and fishing, the trails available for mountain biking, the rock faces available for climbing, the caverns that allow for cave exploring, the venues for horseback riding, the multiple trails that provide some of the most scenic hiking in all of Appalachia, the art galleries, and the many food venues, Tucker County now also lists paragliding.