Soaring the Canadian Rockies: A Guide for UK Pilots

Why Invermere is worth the trip

The Invermere Soaring Centre sits in British Columbia's Columbia Valley, between the Rocky Mountains and the Purcells. It is widely considered one of the best mountain soaring sites in the world — a rare place where thermals, ridge lift and wave all come together.

For a UK pilot used to chasing weak thermals between weather systems, or making the trip to Aboyne for a wave slot, a week or two here is a different experience: long, reliable soaring days from May to September, cloudbases typically between 9,000 and 15,000 ft, and terrain built for big cross-countries.

Visiting pilots have flown serious distances from this site. It has hosted national and world records, including a 638 km club-class world record and a visiting pilot's 850 km flight, and 500 km-plus days are regularly flown here by experienced visitors.

The flying

Three sources of lift are on offer. Mountain thermals are the daily bread and butter, often strong and well-marked by cumulus. Ridge and slope lift comes off the valley walls. And lee wave can set up over the mountains, taking you high in smooth, river-like air.

The big change from home is scale. Long ridge runs, valley-hopping and high cloudbases open up cross-countries that simply are not on the table at most UK sites — and the wave rivals the best of Scotland, with mountain XC on tap the same day.

Mountain flying rewards respect: energy management, always knowing your landout options, and weather that can build quickly. An area check with a local instructor gets you oriented before you head out on your own.

Can I legally fly here?

Yes — visiting pilots fly here regularly. Canada recognises foreign licences through Transport Canada. In short, you fly on the strength of your home glider pilot qualification plus a valid medical, via a Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (FLVC) or a Limited Term Pilot Licence and Medical (LTP/MC). For insurance, the Soaring Association of Canada (SAC) treats your British Gliding Association membership as equivalent while you are in Canada.

Requirements can change, so we will confirm the exact current process with you when you book and make sure you are set before you fly.

Flying solo, rentals and checkouts

After an area check flight with one of our instructors, licensed visiting pilots can rent gliders and fly the area. Checkouts are required for all gliders.

The fleet includes a Duo Discus (high-performance two-seater), a K-13 (two-seat, $60/hr after checkout), a PW5 (single-seat, $250/day or $90/hr) and an ASW-20 (a high-performance glass single-seater for experienced pilots — get in touch for the minimum-experience requirements). An instructor is available at $60/hr, and SAC membership ($80/yr) is required to rent the club gliders.

Bringing your own glider

Many cross-country pilots bring or ship a glider. Because Canada recognises a standard ICAO Certificate of Airworthiness, a UK-registered glider with a standard C-of-A has no special Canadian paperwork to operate here.

We have tie-down and hangar space (by the day, week or month) and limited on-site camping. We can help with rigging, and we will tow your glider to and from the launch line. For trailer parking and the logistics of basing yourself here for a trip, get in touch and we will sort out the details.

Getting here

Fly from London (Heathrow or Gatwick) to Calgary (YYC) — direct in summer, around 9 hours. Invermere is a roughly 3 to 3.5 hour drive from Calgary, through Banff National Park and Radium Hot Springs, which is a spectacular introduction to the Rockies in its own right.

Alternatively, connect on to Cranbrook (YXC), about 1.5 hours from Invermere. Either way you will want a hire car, and UK citizens need a Canadian eTA — a quick, inexpensive online travel authorisation you arrange before flying.

When to come, and where to stay

The soaring season runs roughly from May to September, with the longest and strongest days in midsummer. As anywhere, build in a buffer — a week or two gives you the best chance of catching good conditions.

Invermere is a friendly mountain resort town with hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals and campgrounds, and we have limited on-site camping for pilots. You also get 15% off when booking direct with the Kanata Inn (direct reservations only — not through third-party booking sites); ask us for details and we will point you in the right direction.

Costs and how to book

As a rough guide: SAC membership is $80/yr, glider rental starts at $60/hr, an instructor is $60/hr, with tie-down and hangar fees if you bring your own ship. Many visiting pilots find soaring here more affordable than at home, and our pilots are hugely experienced in advanced mountain soaring and know the local area inside out. All prices are in Canadian dollars and subject to change.

For visiting pilots we also offer advanced mountain soaring — a performance flight in our Duo Discus that sharpens your soaring skills and local mountain knowledge — for $599 including tax, with custom packages available.

Prefer to experience the Rockies from the front seat of a two-seater first? We also run scenic glider rides. Flights are weather-dependent and confirmed by a phone call, so the best first step is to get in touch with your dates.