Crystal Skygliding

Is this becoming a big sport at Crystal? How do they co-exist with the normal skiers?
(Not sure if Skygliding is the name of the sport but it's the guys [and gals] with skis and parachutes).

Haven't seen them there or at other areas, but assuming that they are laying out the 'chute' behind themselves and then skiing away to a liftoff (instead of base jumping), then they are hangliding (paragliding).  About 20 some years ago, a ribless version of hangliders came on the scene in Europe (parapentes) and were more a mod of the ram air parachute.  It's a lot of fun but a bit dangerous as it is relatively easy to learn the mechanics before one becomes familiar with where the tricky air currents may be.  But perhaps the folks are doing a version of kitesurfing?  How fun would that be! (until you hit a tree or other).

My guess is that those folks are poaching their flights at the area as I imagine management could easily find some concerns, but it would be cool to see some more of it.  Remember when those damn snowboarders came on the scene? - easy to find something 'wrong' with it, but look at what it's brought.

Paragliding and kitesurfing do tend to be summer sports, but it would be fun to see in the winter bc.  Who will be first sailing off the Finger? (can't do it - it's in the Park)     

i'm assuming you're talking about a video that was circulating recently of someone flying at Crystal.   The term I've commonly heard for the sport of combining skis with a small canopy (much smaller than a traditional paragliding canopy) is 'speed-flying'.   Second hand info, but what I heard was that the fellow who recently did this at Crystal did it with the ski patrol's permission (didn't not poach) but it was agreed that he would not touch-down in the resort and would fly to the parking lot so as to not endanger the patrons of the resort.

linky to the video:
vimeo.com/10316762

and if anyone knows if lessons are offered in the NW, please let me know.... last I checked there wasn't anywhere in the NW that was offering formal lessons (paragliding yes, speedflying no), though theres some places in SLC that teach the sport. 

www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...21.msg66988#msg66988

i'm assuming you're talking about a video that was circulating recently of someone flying at Crystal.   The term I've commonly heard for the sport of combining skis with a small canopy (much smaller than a traditional paragliding canopy) is 'speed-flying'.   Second hand info, but what I heard was that the fellow who recently did this at Crystal did it with the ski patrol's permission (didn't not poach) but it was agreed that he would not touch-down in the resort and would fly to the parking lot so as to not endanger the patrons of the resort.

linky to the video:
vimeo.com/10316762

and if anyone knows if lessons are offered in the NW, please let me know.... last I checked there wasn't anywhere in the NW that was offering formal lessons (paragliding yes, speedflying no), though theres some places in SLC that teach the sport. 

Thanks for the link Pete.  It's really interesting that they are not having to poach a flight - looks like their might be another use for that new Gondola, as well.

It's definitely paragliding, just with a smaller canopy, so get your lessons wherever it's convenient - and safe.  Southern Cal is a mecca for that, too.  Looks like Haggis may have some input when he logs in.

First thing is that Crystal is the only resort in WA that allows paragliding/speedflying and we obviously don't want to lose any of our privilages there! It is mandatory to check in with Patrol, sign the paperwork etc before heading up to fly. You have to be a minimum of a P3 pilot (100 flights and 25 hrs airtime) before flying there. It is with respect from both sides that we can continue to fly and have fun entertaining the locals too. Poaching or zapping locals is a total no-no.

I fly a paraglider and the wing in the video is a speedwing. I don't think it is possible to go straight to a speedwing without learning on a paraglider. Things happen quicker, rate of descent is way higher and the chances of gliding into a tree as higher! A paraglider can fly for many miles using thermals and ridge lift. WA racord is over 100 miles if you can imagine that.

I learned at www.paraglidewashington.com but there are a couple of other outfits at Tiger Mtn in Issaquah.

Lowell Skoog has a great history and photos from Washington paragliding from his days of doing it. Check out www.alpenglow.org/paragliding/index.html for more inspiration.

If you have a further interest then you may contact me, always happy to talk about flying...nearly as much as splitboarding!