WHY MILE HIGH PARAGLIDING’S IAN, ADAM, CAZ, AND ISY LOVE COLORADO SKIES
The wind howls through the pines as Ian tightens the last carabiner on Adam’s harness. Below them, the Arkansas River carves a silver ribbon through the valley, and above, the sky stretches endless and blue. It’s 6:30 a.m. on a September morning in Salida, Colorado, and the thermals are just waking up. Adam grins, gives a thumbs-up, and steps off the launch at 9,200 feet. The wing inflates with a crisp snap, and suddenly he’s airborne, rising like a hawk on the first warm breath of the day. Behind him, Caz and Isy are already packing their own wings, their laughter carrying across the ridge. This isn’t just another flight—it’s the reason they all moved to Colorado.
For Ian, Adam, Caz, and Isy—the core team behind Mile High Paragliding—Colorado’s skies aren’t just a workplace. They’re a playground, a classroom, and a sanctuary. The state’s unique geography, weather, and culture create the perfect storm for paragliding, and these four pilots have spent years learning to dance with its rhythms. But what makes Colorado so special? And how do they turn its challenges into unforgettable flights? The answer lies in the way they read the land, respect the wind, and embrace the unexpected.
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THE MAGIC OF COLORADO’S SKY HIGHWAYS
Colorado’s paragliding scene is unlike anywhere else in the world. The state’s high elevation—most launch sites sit between 7,000 and 12,000 feet—means thinner air, which requires sharper skills and lighter wings. But it also means longer flights, bigger thermals, and views that stretch for a hundred miles. On a good day, pilots can ridge-soar along the Collegiate Peaks, catch a thermal to cloudbase at 18,000 feet, and glide for hours without touching down.
Adam, a former engineer from the UK, puts it simply: “In Colorado, you’re not just f over mountains—you’re f with them.” The Sawatch Range, where Mile High Paragliding operates, acts like a giant thermal generator. The sun heats the slopes, the air rises, and suddenly you’re climbing at 1,000 feet per minute. But the same mountains that lift you can also drop you just as fast. One wrong turn near a lee side, and you’re fighting rotor turbulence that can fold your wing like a piece of paper. That’s where experience—and a deep respect for the terrain—comes in.
Caz, a former competitive pilot from Australia, remembers her first Colorado flight like it was yesterday. “I launched from Monarch Pass, caught a thermal, and within minutes I was at 15,000 feet. I could see Pikes Peak, the Great Sand Dunes, even the curve of the Earth. But then I hit a sink zone and dropped 2,000 feet in 30 seconds. It was terrifying—and exhilarating.” That mix of awe and adrenaline is what keeps her coming back.
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HOW THEY TURN CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES
Colorado’s skies don’t give up their secrets easily. The weather can shift from perfect to perilous in minutes, and the high altitude demands precision. But Ian, Adam, Caz, and Isy have learned to turn these challenges into advantages. Here’s how they do it—and how you can apply their strategies to your own f, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pilot.
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1. MASTER THE ART OF READING THE LAND (NOT JUST THE SKY)
Most pilots check the weather forecast before f. The Mile High team checks the land first. They know that in Colorado, the terrain dictates the air. A south-facing slope at noon will be a thermal factory, while a north-facing bowl might hold cold, sinking air. They’ve memorized the “thermal triggers”—rocky outcrops, dark patches of forest, even the angle of the sun on a ridge.
Takeaway: Before you launch, spend 10 minutes studying the terrain. Look for:
– Dark, rocky slopes facing the sun. These heat up faster and create strong thermals.
– Valleys and gullies. These can funnel wind and create turbulence or smooth ridge lift.
– Snow patches or water. These stay cooler and can create sink zones.
Isy, the team’s resident meteorology nerd, always carries a topo map and a handheld anemometer. “I don’t just look at the wind speed—I look at the wind direction relative to the slope. A 10-degree shift can mean the difference between a smooth ridge soar and a brutal collapse.”
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2. FLY WITH A “THERMAL BUDDY” (EVEN IF YOU’RE ALONE)
In Colorado, thermals are often narrow and powerful. Missing one can mean a long, cold glide to the landing zone. That’s why the Mile High team flies in loose formation, even when they’re not teaching. They call it “thermal sharing”—if one pilot finds lift, they circle tightly and signal the others. It’s not just about safety; it’s about efficiency. More eyes in the sky mean more thermals found.
Takeaway: If you’re f solo, pretend you’re not. Use these tactics:
– Fly near other pilots (but not too close). If they start circling, join them.
– Watch birds. Hawks and eagles are thermal experts. If they’re climbing, follow them.
– Use your vario’s audio. A rising tone means lift—turn toward it immediately.
Adam swears by this method. “I’ve had days where I was about to land, but then I saw another pilot climbing. I joined them, and suddenly I was back at cloudbase. It’s like having a second set of eyes in the sky.”
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3. EMBRACE THE “COLORADO MINUTE”
In Colorado, the weather doesn’t change by the hour—it changes by the minute. A bluebird morning can turn into a stormy afternoon in the time it takes to pack your wing https://milehighparagliding.com/.