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Now nearing the end of October, in our seasonal loop around the sun, solar delivery is shorter and brings with it a spectacular show of fall colours.  It also foreshadows the end of student paragliding season in Greater Vancouver, Pemberton, Chilliwack, and Seattle areas. 

Low pressure systems form off the coast and track inland bringing a significant increase in rain October through March. 

Cold air on the mountains begins to dominate and sink down the mountain sides, creating Katabatic downhill winds.  The shorter days mean the land mass rarely gets a chance to heat up, and so the Land Breeze begins to dominate, creating Northeast, East and Southeast Outflow winds.   Katabatic and Outflow winds combine increasing the amplitude and blowing over the back of our predominately West facing paragliding launches, often creating unsafe, turbulent lee-side conditions. You can read a detailed article on how Outflow and Katabatic winds "Conspire" (here).

As the temperature drops, snowfall makes most of our paragliding 4X4 access roads become impassable at the higher elevations. 

We typically shut Student training courses down for the rainy-outflow season on or before the Thanksgiving weekend of October. 

But not all days are like this in the off-season.  Occasionally the sun comes out and West In-flow and Anabatic winds develop. On those magical days, determined Intermediate and Advanced pilots put on their crampons and/or snowshoes and are treated to beautiful treks into snowy peaks and serene flying.