Acrophobia

Acrophobia means "fear of heights" and what an appropriate name! With altitude records of 15,700' ASL and single thermal climb out records of 9,000' feet, this is a dynamic flying area with some of the most spectacular mountains, valleys, lakes, parks and hotsprings on this lovely earth. This region promises you one of the best family orientated holidays of your life.

The West Kootenays is an area of mountain ranges and lakes (Arrow, Kootenay and Slocan being the largest) that offers many and varied flying sites. 90% of the flying is thermal with cloudbase usually in the 10 - 12,000' range. A high percentage of soarable days, good altitude gains and scenery combine to make for some nice flying in this area. Camping, hiking, fishing and canoeing etc... are world class for those days when you want to give your wing a rest (if there are such days.) With the exception of the Creston Valley, East Kootenays / Columbia Valley (Rocky Mountain Trench), Fernie and Elko regions, the area does not have a long straight valley. The West Kootenay valleys tend to be cross-hatched, as is evident from the Road Map.

The population is sparse in most areas, with little cleared land in the West Kootenays. Therefore, although the XC potential is good, the total distance on the great circle is not usually great. Valleys come to an end and 90 degree changes in heading are required to keep landing zones and access roads for pickup within reasonable distance. Out and returns or triangular flights are more common. The many different sites and spectacular scenery do make for the most pleasant flying imaginable.

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