Updated September 9, 2023
If you have not already, start by reviewing Requirements to Fly.
Any pilot (visiting or local) who is not approved to self-guide for a particular launch or landing zone (for more info read intro on our Guide Pilots page) must be accompanied in person at launch by a Guide Pilot who has the authority to approve or deny the guided pilot’s launch and landing zone plans based on skills determination and current conditions. Each pilot is responsible for their own decisions and flight if permitted to fly. TAF Guide Pilots are able to ground pilots from flying if they deem such action appropriate.
Top | Front Face/North Launches | Gold Hill Launches | Landing Zones
General Site Guidelines
- All flights should be with 2M FM radio with receive and transit capability tuned to frequency: 151.925.
- Landings within the Telluride Ski Resort (TelSki) boundary are STRICTLY PROHIBITED and incur an automatic suspension from the club.
- When upper-level winds are out of the North (300º through 60º), even when light, landing in the valley can be extremely turbulent and treacherous, especially with evening flights. These days should only be flown if planning to land before 10am in the valley or by experienced XC pilots looking to fly XC.
- Landings in the valley are not recommended 12 pm-5 pm May-August.
- Access to TelSki launches only by hiking, gondola or TAF-owned vehicles.
- No commercial flights unless pilots show to a member of the TAF board proof of commercial insurance and proof of permission from Telluride Ski and Golf for commercial flights (currently only Telluride Paragliding meets these requirements).
- Speed and mini-wing (MW) flights have the same requirements as paragliders and hang gliders and the pilot must have a minimum M-1 rating.
- All landings made at the below listed Town of Telluride-owned LZs require TAF membership and adherence to all Requirements to Fly irrespective of whether the launch is being made from a TelSki launch site or not (e.g. hike and fly from USFS/BLM land).
- Federal Aviation Administration regulations state it is illegal to fly above 17,999 feet ASL.
Top | Front Face/North Launches | Gold Hill Launches | Landing Zones
Drivers and Driving
TAF owns two trucks which we use to access our upper TelSki launches (Bushwacker and Gold Hill). The trucks are typically parked in the Shandoka parking lot at the southwest corner of town which acts as a meeting spot on flyable days at our upper launches. All coordination to drive up to the upper launches occurs on Telegram. We welcome drivers who are willing to ride up with us to then drive the truck back down and park it in the Shandoka lot. Drivers must be registered with TelSki at the following link before being allowed to drive on TelSki property:
All Ski Lifts, Ski resort structures, and the Gondola Line have a No Fly Zone that extends 175ft horizontally and 300ft above any such structure. Under no circumstances shall a pilot fly into this no-fly zone. In the event that a pilot needs to fly over any such structure or line and is able to do so with at least 300ft clearance, they must take the shortest route across this zone without turning/thermal-flying until they are clear of the zone. The penalty for violating the Lifts No Fly Zone is a 3-month suspension of flying privileges for local pilots or one year for visiting pilots.
Top | Front Face/North Launches | Gold Hill Launches | Landing Zones
Overview of All Launches and Landings
*NOTE: Cimarron Launch is not yet approved for flying. We are working on the required approvals, after which this note and the ones below will be removed. Until then, DO NOT launch from Cimarron.
Front/North Face Launches
Cimarron
(NOT APPROVED YET – pending insurance review)
Gold Hill Launches
Landing Zones
Milk Run Launch, Telluride Ski Resort (TelSki)
- Milk Run launch 37.932409°N latitude, -107.831924°W longitude
- P3/H3 with Guide Pilot or approval of 3 Guide Pilots to self-guide.
- P2/H2 with an instructor on the radio (not under TAF but under PASA-certified school Telluride Paragliding), or only if full-time local known to Guide Pilots or visitor with extensive experience flying with approving TAF Guide Pilot at another site.
- Morning launch, suitable for HG, PG or MW.
- Mini-Wings may be flown provided the pilot holds a minimum M1 Rating, in addition to P3 rating.
- Danger of TURBULENT LEE SIDE CONDITIONS (NOT LAUNCHABLE) west wind rotor mid-morning through the remainder of the day. The time that this comes in changes throughout the season but generally between 10am and 11am.
- Required Glide to Designated LZ: 2.5
- Recommended Use Parameters:
-
- Wind Direction 75-105 degrees (thermal cycles)
-
- Wind Strength (MPH)
-
-
- HG 0 min, 8 ideal, 10 max, 10 gust factor
-
-
-
- PG/MW 0 min, 5 ideal, 10 max, 5 gust factor
-
Top | Front Face/North Launches | Gold Hill Launches | Landing Zones
Cimarron Launch, TelSki (NOT APPROVED YET – pending insurance review)
- Cimarron launch 37.929472°N latitude, -107.831361°W longitude
- P3/H3 with Guide Pilot or approval of 3 Guide Pilots to self-guide.
- P2/H2 with an instructor on the radio (not under TAF but under PASA-certified school Telluride Paragliding), or only if full-time local known to Guide Pilots or visitor with extensive experience flying with approving TAF Guide Pilot at another site.
- Morning launch, suitable for HG, PG or MW.
- Mini-Wings may be flown provided the pilot holds a minimum M1 Rating, in addition to P3 rating.
- Danger of TURBULENT LEE SIDE CONDITIONS (NOT LAUNCHABLE) west wind rotor mid-morning through the remainder of the day. The time that this comes in changes throughout the season but generally between 10am and 11am.
- Required Glide to Designated LZ: 2.5
- Recommended Use Parameters:
-
- Wind Direction 75-105 degrees (thermal cycles)
-
- Wind Strength (MPH)
-
-
- HG 0 min, 8 ideal, 10 max, 10 gust factor
-
-
-
- PG/MW 0 min, 5 ideal, 10 max, 5 gust factor
-
Lookout Launch, TelSki
- Lookout launch 37.925673°N latitude, -107.828703°W longitude
- P3/H3 with Guide Pilot or approval of 3 Guide Pilots to self-guide.
- P2/H2 with an instructor on the radio (not under TAF but under PASA-certified school Telluride Paragliding), or only if full-time local known to Guide Pilots or visitor with extensive experience flying with approving TAF Guide Pilot at another site.
- Morning launch, suitable for HG, PG, or MW.
- Mini-Wings may be flown provided the pilot holds a minimum M1 Rating, in addition to P3 rating.
- Danger of TURBULENT LEE SIDE CONDITIONS (NOT LAUNCHABLE) west wind rotor mid-morning through the remainder of the day. The time that this comes in changes throughout the season but generally between 10:00am and 11:00am.
- Required Glide to Designated LZ: 2.5
- Recommended Use Parameters:
-
- Wind Direction 75-105 degrees (thermal cycles)
-
- Wind Strength (MPH)
-
-
- HG 0 min, 8 ideal, 10 max, 10 gust factor
-
-
-
- PG/MW 0 min, 5 ideal, 10 max, 5 gust factor
-