Sun Valley Paragliders
In a tailwind since 1980-something
RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE FOR FLYING BALDY
Entering this winter season, Sun Valley Paragliders club is still unable to meet the insurance demands of AIG. The RRRG is not currently offering the policy our club needs. We do not know when this policy will be available again, although the board of directors believes that it may be unrealistic to expect it to be available within the next 2 months or that it will be available for the same rate ($15,000.00). Therefore, paragliders remain unable to ride the lifts or land on Sun Valley property. Concerning hike & flying on Baldy, the club asks all members and visiting pilots to obey Sun Valley's uphill traffic regulations, not to fly during operating hours from any in-bounds areas on Baldy, and most importantly not to land on Sun Valley property. The board of directors is actively seeking landing zone options that we can officially recommend to the club, and appreciate any ideas for solving this problem.
HELP SAVE PARAGLIDING!
Bald Mountain is our primary launch in Sun Valley, home of multiple national champions, records and competitions. We have flows from Baldy for more than 30 years without any insurance claims or lawsuits, yet AIG Insurance has spiked Sun Valley Resort’s requirements for our club to $5,000,000 of liability coverage. Although a policy to cover these outlandish demands is not currently available, the club is actively fundraising to be able to purchase the policy when it becomes available for an estimated $15,000.00.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-baldy-a-flying-site
Protecting access to Idaho’s preeminent paragliding sites, and providing a free flight community for those who fly them.
National Records
From July 2013 until June 2020, the North American foot-launched distance record of 240 miles was flown from Bald Mountain by local pilot Gavin McGlurg (.igc here). Previously several national record have been set from Baldy by local pilots Dave Bridges, Honza Rejmanik, Matt Beechinor, and Nate Scales.
The current National FAI Triangle record of 146 miles was flown from Bald Mountain on July 10 2014 by local pilot Matt “Farmer” Beechinor (.igc here). Farmer also holds the National Flat Triangle record of 116 miles from Baldy (as far as we know).
Idaho Distance Records
7/15/13 Gavin McClurg 240.7miles 7:31 Bald Mtn Niviuk Peak 3
7/31/12 Nate Scales 198.4miles 8:01 Bald Mtn Niviuk Icepeak 6
6/30/2012. Matt Beechinor 187.5miles 8:23 Bald Mtn Niviuk Icepeak 6
8/17/10 Nate Scales 148.5miles 8:03 Bald Mtn Ozone Mantra R10.2
8/4/08 Honza Rejmanek 139.6miles 7:43 Bald Mtn Axis Mercury
8/28/05 Honza Rejmanek 115miles 6:45 Bald Mtn Edel Millennium
8/23/00 Honza Rejmanek 101miles 5:35 King Mtn Edel Sector
8/22/97 Jeff Ames (tie) 69.1miles 4:02 King Mtn Freex Spark
8/22/97 Bernard Winkelman (tie) 69.1miles 4:08 King Mtn Apco Zen II
8/22/97 Othar Lawrence (tie) 69.1miles 4:15 King Mtn Firebird Cult
10/2/96 David Frank 50miles 3:00 Bald Mtn Firebird G-Sport
Competitions
The 2006, 2010 & 2012 US National Paragliding Championships were held on Bald Mountain. Sun Valley Paragliders also hosted a 2012 Paragliding World Cup. During the 2006 Nationals, a total of 5 tasks were flown with a sum total of 460km (the most distance ever flown in a US paragliding competition as the time) and on day 2 of the competition a task of 125km was called and completed (the longest task in paragliding history at the time).
Red Bull X Alps
Of the 11 American pilots who have competed in the Red Bull X Alps, 6 of them have called Sun Valley their home flying site: Honza Rejmanek, Nate Scales, Gavin McClurg, Mitch Riley and Willi Cannell.
Tandem, Instruction & Recreation Therapy
Fly Sun Valley provides tandem and instruction services.
Higher Ground Sun Valley and Fly Sun Valley work together to provide recreation therapy in the form of assisted tandem paragliding flights from Bald Mountain.
Origins
Ask Nate.
King Mtn