Snowbird

• Wind directionWNW (292°) → NNW (338°)
• Ideal speed3–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Snowbird / Hidden Peak, Little Cottonwood Canyon — high-altitude alpine XC launch at ~10,980 ft MSL (LZ ~8,280 ft), reached via the Snowbird tram. RESTRICTED SITE: P-4 rated, by invitation/permission only (UHGPGA / local pilots); not a casual launch. Faces the N/W/NW quadrant per paraglidingEarth; ideal core is NW (~315), marginal out to W (270) and N (360). This is primarily a thermal/cross-country site — historically hosted comps (20 of the world's best off Hidden Peak) with 90+ mile XC distances and cloud base commonly 13,000-16,500 ft. Best in the morning to midday once thermals develop; launch in light, smooth-to-moderate cycles. Hazards: very high density altitude (thin air = faster true launch speed, longer takeoff run, big sink potential), strong/punchy thermals, afternoon overdevelopment and thunderstorms, lee-side rotor and venturi/canyon-wind effects in Little Cottonwood, and a committing high-alpine environment. Speed numbers are conservative inferences for an alpine thermal launch (thin air), NOT from an explicit club spec. Coordinate with UHGPGA and local pilots before flying.