Best soaring site in USA?

[JS]

What is the best soaring site in USA considering climate, services, access,
scenery, airspace etc for a tourist interested in soaring?

js

[Joseph L. Hyde]

WOW, now this post should generate a long string of replies. I can answer
where the worst soaring is. Usually wherever I am anytime I get rigged
early in the morning.........


"JS" > wrote in message
...
> What is the best soaring site in USA considering climate, services,
access,
> scenery, airspace etc for a tourist interested in soaring?
>
> js
>
>
>

[Thomas J Johnson]

Only one place! Soar Minden.

Awesome service from Tony S. and his staff.

Tom in Pensacola, FL

[Tim Ward]

"JS" > wrote in message
...
> What is the best soaring site in USA considering climate, services,
access,
> scenery, airspace etc for a tourist interested in soaring?
>
> js

Yesterday, or occasionally, "last week".

Tim Ward

[Gary Boggs]

What time of the year are you talking about? What kind of soaring are you
looking for, wave? Ridge? Thermals?

The best ridge soaring maybe in the world is at Ridge Soaring Gliderport,
http://www.eglider.org/gliderport.htm

If you're looking to get into the wave, your best bet is probably Soar
Minden, http://www.soarminden.com/

The best thermal soaring in the world is in the Great Basin of California,
and Nevada area. There are many soaring sites in this area, Sky Sailing is
one we visit a lot, http://www.soarminden.com/

But as far as best all around vacation spot come up here to Oregon, not the
best soaring, but here in the Columbia Gorge we have wind surfing, kite
boarding, kayaking, mountain biking, year around snow skiing and snow
boarding, 12K mountains, deserts, oceans, lakes with great fishing, great
restaurants and hotels, all very close to the Hood River airport. Call me
or e-mail because our web site isn't ready yet. Gary Boggs, 503-708-8869.

Las Vegas is hard to beat for good soaring and great entertainment, but the
scenery isn't so hot. (Unless the strippers count)


"Tim Ward" > wrote in message
...

"JS" > wrote in message
...
> What is the best soaring site in USA considering climate, services,
access,
> scenery, airspace etc for a tourist interested in soaring?
>
> js

Yesterday, or occasionally, "last week".

Tim Ward

[David Campbell]

Boulder, Colorado. Scenery especially.
www.milehighgliding.com
....on to the next plug...

[Liam Finley]

"JS" > wrote in message >...
> What is the best soaring site in USA considering climate, services, access,
> scenery, airspace etc for a tourist interested in soaring?
>
> js

Hemet, California.

Pilots travel from as far away as Temecula to enjoy a unique form of
lift known as "smog convergence".

[Ivan Kahn]

"JS" > wrote in message
...
> What is the best soaring site in USA considering climate, services,
access,
> scenery, airspace etc for a tourist interested in soaring?
>
> js

"Most" Space Shuttle flights - on return from orbit!

[Chris OCallaghan]

Montague, CA is right up there for scenery and pure soaring
excitement. Plus you don't have to share it with a lot of other
people. Not the strongest lift, but the best mix of everything. Hard
to beat Reno/Tahoe though for strong lift and non-soaring diversions.

The very best is the Bald Eagle ridge. Not every day. In fact, most of
the time it's just good. But every few years an extraordinary day
comes along... I wouldn't be anywhere else on Earth. In one day you'll
ridge soar at 100 knots plus for stretches of 30 minutes between gaps,
a couple hundred feet off the tree tops; watch spring unfold with each
mile as you make your way south; climb in wave; take a few 10 knot
thermals; dodge a few snow showers; make a deal or two with God to get
you past Snowy Mountain or Kaiser without incident; and watch the
setting sun deepen spring's pastels as you make your way north towards
home in the waning ridge lift. And it's not unusual to meet a bald
eagle or two. Magic.

[David]

I would like to put in a plug for Utah. Within a 1.5 hour drive from
Salt Lake you can soar at four operations (Cedar Fort, Heber, Logan,
Morgan). Good conditions, beautiful scenery.

The biggest problem is quality modern gliders for rent.

And then there's Parowan.

Here are some Utah web sites:
http://www.utahsoaring.org
http://www.morganvalleysoaring.com
http://www.cachesoaring.org
http://www.soarwest.com

[Burt Compton]

"Best" idea is to visit as many as you can! From Florida to Pennsylvania to
California - we all offer something different and that's the fun of traveling
to many sites.

Be sure to fly at historic Harris Hill near Elmira, NY and visit our National
Soaring Museum, the archive of the SSA.

For tourism and family fun, Marfa Gliders in west Texas is between Carlsbad
Caverns and Big Bend National Parks. The McDonald Observatory is open to
visitors in the nearby Davis Mountains. Go horseback riding, hiking, and visit
our new art galleries.

Summer temps are not so hot as the rest of Texas as Marfa Airport (MRF) is on a
grassy plateau at 5,000' msl. Big sky, 100 mile visibility, wonderful scenery,
super hospitality and of course, great soaring! Site of the 1970 World
Soaring Contest and where "The Sun Ship Game" soaring movie was filmed.

We just finished our new hangar and picnic facility for visiting glider
families. Park your glider here for an endless summer of soaring, or bring it
to the annual wave camp April 3-11.

Nearest airline service is to El Paso (ELP) or Midland (MAF), Texas.

Marfa Gliders is now open year-round - come visit - we'll show you a good time!

Burt & Kathie Compton
Marfa Gliders, west Texas
www.FLYGLIDERS.com
800-667-9464

>What is the best soaring site in USA considering climate, services, access,
scenery, airspace etc for a tourist interested in soaring?

[Mark James Boyd]

In article >,
Burt Compton > wrote:
>"Best" idea is to visit as many as you can! From Florida to Pennsylvania to
>California - we all offer something different and that's the fun of traveling
>to many sites.

There are some startling differences. Hawaii has amazing scenery (glide
right over the beach, wheee!!) but not much in the way of
updraft variety. Avenal has amazing thermals, but you're not EVER
gonna see a Bikini except on the back of a contest T-shirt ;P

If you like the California Sierras, and like a nice big scenic lake,
and great wave/thermals, and then gambling/nightlife/skiing, Minden is
really neat. I've been there many times, but never for
soaring, and I'm itchen to go...

P.S. Hey Al, how about telling us more about Minden, California? ;)

[James]

I can't believe no one has nominated SOAR TRUCKEE yet
http://www.soartruckee.com . Situated only five miles from Lake Tahoe
(and about 20 mi as the glider flies from Minden) it offers the BEST
soaring with strong thermals, decent wave, views of Lake Tahoe and the
Sierra Nevada mountains that cannot be matched. It is a challenging
airport to land at with density altitudes often at 8-9000 feet, a
cross wind that comes up in the afternoon, a narrow runway with runway
lights, and a 400' drop off before threshold. But hey, if you can fly
TRK you'll have the confidence that you can truly fly anywhere.

Many pilots drive 4 hours from the San Francisco Bay area every
weekend to TRK. Yes, it is that good. There is a camp ground among
the beautiful pine trees next to the airport where many pilots keep
camper trailers throughout the soaring season. Every Saturday evening
after the day's flying there is a great BBQ...no hot dogs and
hamburgers but tri-tip, ribs, fish, steak, etc. Finally, the staff at
SoarTruckee, especially Joe and Samantha run a first-rate operation.

[F.L. Whiteley]

"James" > wrote in message
om...
> I can't believe no one has nominated SOAR TRUCKEE yet
> http://www.soartruckee.com . Situated only five miles from Lake Tahoe
> (and about 20 mi as the glider flies from Minden) it offers the BEST
> soaring with strong thermals, decent wave, views of Lake Tahoe and the
> Sierra Nevada mountains that cannot be matched. It is a challenging
> airport to land at with density altitudes often at 8-9000 feet, a
> cross wind that comes up in the afternoon, a narrow runway with runway
> lights, and a 400' drop off before threshold. But hey, if you can fly
> TRK you'll have the confidence that you can truly fly anywhere.
>
> Many pilots drive 4 hours from the San Francisco Bay area every
> weekend to TRK. Yes, it is that good. There is a camp ground among
> the beautiful pine trees next to the airport where many pilots keep
> camper trailers throughout the soaring season. Every Saturday evening
> after the day's flying there is a great BBQ...no hot dogs and
> hamburgers but tri-tip, ribs, fish, steak, etc. Finally, the staff at
> SoarTruckee, especially Joe and Samantha run a first-rate operation.

As a vision of the late Les Sebald, it certainly is one of the 'best'. We
have a similar site in Colorado, at Salida, that's soon to return to
operation, and not so hard to get back into late in the day.

Frank Whiteley

[Shawn Curry]

F.L. Whiteley wrote:
> "James" > wrote in message
> om...
>
>>I can't believe no one has nominated SOAR TRUCKEE yet
>>http://www.soartruckee.com . Situated only five miles from Lake Tahoe
>>(and about 20 mi as the glider flies from Minden) it offers the BEST
>>soaring with strong thermals, decent wave, views of Lake Tahoe and the
>>Sierra Nevada mountains that cannot be matched. It is a challenging
>>airport to land at with density altitudes often at 8-9000 feet, a
>>cross wind that comes up in the afternoon, a narrow runway with runway
>>lights, and a 400' drop off before threshold. But hey, if you can fly
>>TRK you'll have the confidence that you can truly fly anywhere.
>>
>>Many pilots drive 4 hours from the San Francisco Bay area every
>>weekend to TRK. Yes, it is that good. There is a camp ground among
>>the beautiful pine trees next to the airport where many pilots keep
>>camper trailers throughout the soaring season. Every Saturday evening
>>after the day's flying there is a great BBQ...no hot dogs and
>>hamburgers but tri-tip, ribs, fish, steak, etc. Finally, the staff at
>>SoarTruckee, especially Joe and Samantha run a first-rate operation.
>
>
> As a vision of the late Les Sebald, it certainly is one of the 'best'. We
> have a similar site in Colorado, at Salida, that's soon to return to
> operation, and not so hard to get back into late in the day.
>
> Frank Whiteley
>
>
Fingers crossed! Its a drag (pun intended) towing the Mosquito to Boulder.

Shawn,
Salida, CO

[303pilot]

"James" > wrote in message
om...
> I can't believe no one has nominated...

....wherever the hell I am when the tow line is connected and I waggle my
rudder!!!

[Tom Stowers]

"F.L. Whiteley" > wrote in message >...
> "James" > wrote in message
> om...
> > I can't believe no one has nominated SOAR TRUCKEE yet
> > http://www.soartruckee.com . Situated only five miles from Lake Tahoe
> > (and about 20 mi as the glider flies from Minden) it offers the BEST
> > soaring with strong thermals, decent wave, views of Lake Tahoe and the
> > Sierra Nevada mountains that cannot be matched. It is a challenging
> > airport to land at with density altitudes often at 8-9000 feet, a
> > cross wind that comes up in the afternoon, a narrow runway with runway
> > lights, and a 400' drop off before threshold. But hey, if you can fly
> > TRK you'll have the confidence that you can truly fly anywhere.
> >
> > Many pilots drive 4 hours from the San Francisco Bay area every
> > weekend to TRK. Yes, it is that good. There is a camp ground among
> > the beautiful pine trees next to the airport where many pilots keep
> > camper trailers throughout the soaring season. Every Saturday evening
> > after the day's flying there is a great BBQ...no hot dogs and
> > hamburgers but tri-tip, ribs, fish, steak, etc. Finally, the staff at
> > SoarTruckee, especially Joe and Samantha run a first-rate operation.
>
> As a vision of the late Les Sebald, it certainly is one of the 'best'. We
> have a similar site in Colorado, at Salida, that's soon to return to
> operation, and not so hard to get back into late in the day.
>
> Frank Whiteley

Well I better get in on this one as well! Minden's good not like it
use to be BUT the BEST SOARING site is Ely Nevada, We at High Country
Soaring put on the Ely soaring camp each year for the past six and I
can say in the 2 weeks that we fly at Ely 70,000-80,000km NOW that is
the best soaring site!!!!!!!!!

Tom Stowers

[John Shelton]

I like to go out on a weekday when I can, hit a big one, core it, and start
calling friends at work while holding the cell phone up against the audio
vario.

Life is good when you are going up.

"303pilot" <brentUNDERSCOREsullivanATbmcDOTcom> wrote in message
...
>
> "James" > wrote in message
> om...
> > I can't believe no one has nominated...
>
> ...wherever the hell I am when the tow line is connected and I waggle my
> rudder!!!
>
>

[Bob Korves]

"James" > wrote in message
om...
> I can't believe no one has nominated SOAR TRUCKEE yet
> http://www.soartruckee.com . Situated only five miles from Lake Tahoe
> (and about 20 mi as the glider flies from Minden) it offers the BEST
> soaring with strong thermals, decent wave, views of Lake Tahoe and the
> Sierra Nevada mountains that cannot be matched. It is a challenging
> airport to land at with density altitudes often at 8-9000 feet, a
> cross wind that comes up in the afternoon, a narrow runway with runway
> lights, and a 400' drop off before threshold. But hey, if you can fly
> TRK you'll have the confidence that you can truly fly anywhere.

I agree with your praise of Truckee soaring. Truckee is the best place I
have flown from regarding early launching with easy getaways from low tows.
The main glider runway, 1-19, is 4,650' by 75', which I don't think is
particularly narrow, and I fly 18 and 20 meter gliders. Yes, there is
sometimes a crosswind on 1-19, but the crosswind runway, 10-28 is 7,000' by
100', and a dead easy landing. Soar Truckee will send a golf cart to get
you if you land on 10-28. The 'dreaded dropoff' at the end of runway 19 is
a measured 150' high and one definitely doesn't want to go there, but with
4,650' ahead should not be a problem. At least there is no barbed wire
fence, like many airports have.
>
> Many pilots drive 4 hours from the San Francisco Bay area every
> weekend to TRK. Yes, it is that good. There is a camp ground among
> the beautiful pine trees next to the airport where many pilots keep
> camper trailers throughout the soaring season. Every Saturday evening
> after the day's flying there is a great BBQ...no hot dogs and
> hamburgers but tri-tip, ribs, fish, steak, etc. Finally, the staff at
> SoarTruckee, especially Joe and Samantha run a first-rate operation.

The staff is exceptional!

Soar Truckee is an "S" corporation, co-owned by many (58 total) of the
pilots that fly there. When Soar Truckee was first conceived by Les Sebald
and Jerry Niedrauer, they decide to form a corporation instead of a club, so
that equipment might be depreciated and to have more clout with the airport
than a not for profit club. This recipe has clearly worked, and Soar
Truckee is thriving. Soar Truckee is open May 1 through the end of
September each year. There are FBO gliders for instruction, but not for
rent. There are also three clubs based at the field, Silverado Soaring, Bay
Area Soaring Associates, (BASA), and the Northern California Soaring
Association (NCSA). These clubs also provide instruction, and aircraft for
members.

The part I like best about Truckee is that I live in the HOT Sacramento
valley and each weekend I escape to my motor home in the pine trees as
Truckee, usually the coldest reporting point in the 48 contiguous states in
the summer. Many summer nights are below freezing, and days can warm to the
low 90's, but more usually in the low 80's Fahrenheit. I get out of bed in
the morning, shiver, and smile...

Did I mention the soaring? I was able to complete three 750+km and many
500+km flights this past year out of Truckee, with no land outs. We fly the
same basic airspace that the Minden and Air Sailing folks do.
-Bob Korves
5H Duo Discus
5K LAK-17a

[Stewart Kissel]

At 05:24 16 January 2004, James wrote:
It is a challenging
>airport to land at with density altitudes often at
>8-9000 feet, a
>cross wind that comes up in the afternoon, a narrow
>runway with runway
>lights, and a 400' drop off before threshold. But
>hey, if you can fly
>TRK you'll have the confidence that you can truly fly
>anywhere.
SNIP

Truckee is a nice mountain site with some great soaring.
However as far as most *challenging* airport in North
America that gliders launch from, I nominate Telluride.
Some of its more unique features are:
1.) 9k' msl and it gets hot
2.) One way in and out runway due to terrain and noise
considerations.
3.) Situated up on a 800' mesa for true carrier type
launches.
4.) Did I mention the biz jets on their 8 mile straight
in finals
5.) Or the commuter props popping in over the 12k'
ridge 5 miles north of the field.
6.) Low rope break options mean if u walk away from
the wreck, it was a good landing.
7.) The runway has a 150' dip in the middle, makes
for interesting launching when towplane touches back
down on the second half of the runway.
8.) All worth it, unbelievable scenery and great
soaring.

[Martin Hellman]

> "James" > wrote in message
> om...
> > I can't believe no one has nominated SOAR TRUCKEE yet

A couple of points I'd add on Truckee:

1. I haven't flown there in a couple of years, but when I did, they
had a bunk house right next to the runway where you can bunk for $5 a
night. You needed to bring your own sleeping bag, but it was
comfortable and made soaring VERY affordable. One three day trip I
made there cost me $100 for tows and lodging: $30 a day for a tow,
which allowed me to stay up as long as I wanted, and $10 for two
nights in the bunk house (actually I slept right outside on the lawn,
using an air mattress I brought - great night sky!). I belonged to a
club at the time so my dues covered "rental" of the glider.

2. Soar Truckee does not have many (any?) ships available for non-dual
rental. It is primarily for owner-pilots or instruction/rides.

3. While the last time I flew there, the staff had changed recommended
procedures in a good way, it doesn't hurt to add to the warning about
not landing short on 19. When I got my club checkout at TRK, the
fellow doing it (Emil Kissel for those of you who know him) drove me
around the airport and down to the base of the "cliff" that is the
approach end of 19. Looking up at it from the bottom gave me a much
better sense of its danger than looking down from the top -- or even
worse on final in a glider (where it looks like a minor grade). Prior
to an accident that seriously injured another, very experienced club
member and I think totalled his glider, there had been more emphasis
on touching down ASAP so you could taxi your glider off the runway at
an exit taxiway. After the accident, I heard much more about "There's
a lot of runway. Don't be afraid to use it. We'll come get you with
the golf cart." Even if no one tells you that, think that way!

Since someone has also mentioned Telluride, let me add a warning there
too. I and three others flew in there in the summer of 2002, but were
fortunate to have a local pilot as our host. The wind was something
like 12 kts out of 150, only 40 degrees off the runway. Since our
ships can easily handle a 15 kt x-wind component, that didn't sound
like any problem. But our friend had checked the winds and asked the
Unicom to tell us to divert to Montrose since that was too much wind
from that direction. Given the topography, SW winds create rotor on
the runway even at speeds like that. There are other issues that you
need to know about as well, like the bowl shaped runway (1.9% slope
downward in each direction til you come to the middle of the runway).
Bottom line: If I were planning to fly into Telluride, I'd want to
first consult with an experienced local pilot.

Hope this is helpful.

Martin

[Renny Rozzoni]

As one considers outstanding locations to soar in the US, I believe
one should really add Moriarty, New Mexico to the list. Moriarty has a
lot to offer the soaring pilot including:
1. The area offers great soaring weather and truly outstanding thermal
soaring from April to October with cloudbases often found at 16-18K
(The Moriarty airport is at 6,200 feet)and thermals of 6-8 knots being
very, very common.
2. Very nice wave in the fall and winter months is generated off the
Sandia and Manzano mountains.
3. Excellent routes for long cross-country flights are well known with
minimal airspace "issues."
4. There are plenty of safe land-out areas and the typical altitudes
normally achieved during a normal X-C, give the pilot plenty of range
to reach airports, ranch strips, etc.
5. Sundance Aviation operates 7 days a week and is an outstanding FBO
dedicated to supporting soaring at Moriarty. Tows, instruction and
rentals are available. Moriarty is also home to the Albuquerque
Soaring Club.
6. Two glider repair facilities are located right on the field
(Applebay Aviation & Enchantment Aero) should your ship need any
repair work!
7. The US Southwest Soaring Museum is curently under construction in
Moriarty on Old Route 66 and it will soon be open to the public with
exhibits and numerous historic gliders on display! There are plenty of
very nice hotels and restaurants in town and the airport is just 2
miles from downtown Moriarty.
8. The "Land of Enchantment" offers a lot to the visitor. In addition
to very friendly people, NM offers many cultural and historic
attractions found in: Albuquerque (30 miles West), Santa Fe (40 miles
North)and Taos (100 miles North). The high-desert scenery is great
with the Sandia and Manzano mountains to the West and the Sangre de
Christo mountains to the North.
9. Finally, as many folks found out at the "Lift 2000" SSA Convention
in Albuquerque, there is nothing like the outstanding New Mexican
food! All you will have to do is decide if you want the "red or green
chili..."
Regards,
Renny Rozzoni
Albuquerque, NM

[Tim Ward]

"Renny Rozzoni" > wrote in message
om...

> 9. Finally, as many folks found out at the "Lift 2000" SSA Convention
> in Albuquerque, there is nothing like the outstanding New Mexican
> food! All you will have to do is decide if you want the "red or green
> chili..."
> Regards,
> Renny Rozzoni
> Albuquerque, NM

Renny, lots of places have chili of one sort or another, but New Mexico has
probably the best thing to go with it -- sopapillas!
Butter and honey -- ummm!

Tim Ward

[Dan Dunkel]

I created a Web site to display the pictures that I took at Soar Truckee
last summer. http://home.earthlink.net/~dandunkel/ It will give you an
idea as to why I love the place--and the people.

-Dan


"James" > wrote in message
om...
> I can't believe no one has nominated SOAR TRUCKEE yet
> http://www.soartruckee.com . Situated only five miles from Lake Tahoe
> (and about 20 mi as the glider flies from Minden) it offers the BEST
> soaring with strong thermals, decent wave, views of Lake Tahoe and the
> Sierra Nevada mountains that cannot be matched. It is a challenging
> airport to land at with density altitudes often at 8-9000 feet, a
> cross wind that comes up in the afternoon, a narrow runway with runway
> lights, and a 400' drop off before threshold. But hey, if you can fly
> TRK you'll have the confidence that you can truly fly anywhere.
>
> Many pilots drive 4 hours from the San Francisco Bay area every
> weekend to TRK. Yes, it is that good. There is a camp ground among
> the beautiful pine trees next to the airport where many pilots keep
> camper trailers throughout the soaring season. Every Saturday evening
> after the day's flying there is a great BBQ...no hot dogs and
> hamburgers but tri-tip, ribs, fish, steak, etc. Finally, the staff at
> SoarTruckee, especially Joe and Samantha run a first-rate operation.