Best Hang Gliding Locations In Vermont

Flying above Vermont gives you an experience like no other. In this expert guide, you’ll find the best locations in the state to go hang gliding.

If you’re heading to the New England area and you want to go hang gliding, you need to know which states have the best location. Although it might not seem like a popular spot in the country for gliding, there are actually quite a few amazing companies and launch sites in this area. One of the best states to visit is Vermont, but where in this state should you go hang gliding?

If you want to go hang gliding in Vermont, check out Morningside Flight Park, Mount Washington, Sugarbush, Mount Ascutney, West Rutland, and Burke Mountain. For a similar but different experience, you can also try paragliding with Paraglide New England.

If you’re searching for a new and exciting hang gliding experience, Vermont is the place to be! With beautiful mountain views and consistently good weather, you can't go wrong. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the top hang gliding locations in Vermont. So sit back, relax, and get ready to hear all about your next hang gliding experience.

As the creators of Flight Notch, we have been hang gliding all over the country. And we know how important it is for you to know the best companies and launch sites so that you can always have the best experience that you can. To make sure we’re only giving you the best places to go gliding, we combine our own experience with input from others. This way you’ll know exactly where in Vermont you should go on your next trip.

‍Is Vermont A Good State For Hang Gliding?

Before we get into the best places in Vermont to go hang gliding, let’s take a step back and discuss whether or not it’s even a good place for gliding in general. After all, just because there are certain places in Vermont that are better than others for gliding, that doesn't necessarily mean that it’s worth it to head there over somewhere else in the country.

So is Vermont actually a good place to go hang gliding?

Even though it might not be one of those places that immediately pops up in your mind when you think of hang gliding, Vermont is absolutely a great place for it! No matter where you’re going, three of the most important things to consider are weather, launch sites, and views. And thankfully, Vermont checks all three boxes. Let’s start with the weather.

Vermont has great weather for gliding all year round! In spring through summer, the temperatures are warm but not too hot, which is perfect for hanging out in the sun and enjoying the views. And in the fall and winter, even though it might be a little colder, there are still plenty of good weather days for hang gliding. In fact, some of the best views can be had when the leaves are changing in the fall!

As for launch sites and reputable hang gliding companies, Vermont has no shortage of them. Whether you’re looking for a mountain top or a valley, there’s sure to be a perfect spot for you to take off. And of course, the views from up in the air are absolutely incredible. No matter where you’re hang gliding in Vermont, you’re bound to see some stunning scenery.

Best Places To Go Hang Gliding In Vermont

Now that you know Vermont is definitely worth the visit, let’s get into what you’re really here for. We’ll take a look at companies and also launch sites so that you can decide which locations are best for you. Without further ado, here are the best hang gliding spots in Vermont.

Morningside Flight Park

Up first on our list is by far the most popular hang gliding spot in Vermont: Morningside Flight Park. Okay, okay, technically this flight park is located in New Hampshire, but it pretty much straddles the border of Vermont. Located next to the Connecticut River and Mount Ascutney, Morningside Flight Park is the perfect place to take in all that Vermont has to offer.

The views from up in the air are absolutely incredible. You can see for miles in every direction, and if the skies are clear you might even be able to see all the way to New York State if you're facing west. From high above this area, you'll be able to see some of the most beautiful Vermont scenery, including the Green Mountains, the White Mountains, and Lake Champlain.

Speaking of clear days, one of the best things about Morningside Flight Park is that it has great weather for hang gliding pretty much all year round. Weather is typically best April through September, when the temperatures are warm but not too hot. However, there are still plenty of good days during the fall and winter months. And if you happen to be there when the leaves are changing, you're in for an absolute treat!

Since this location is right on the border of Vermont and New Hampshire, not to mention how popular it is, there is plenty to do once you're done gliding for the day. Nearby, you 'll find tons of great hiking trails, waterfalls, and other outdoor activities. But if you want something a little more low-key, you can always head into one of the nearby towns for some shopping or to grab a bite to eat.

Mount Washington

If you're in for maximum thrills and maximum heights, then you should check out Mount Washington. As the highest mountain peak in all of New England, this is definitely not for the faint of heart. But if you're up for the challenge, the views from the top are absolutely incredible and totally worth it.

If you get lucky with the weather, you can even see all the way to Canada. And if you happen to be hang gliding in the fall, the foliage is absolutely breathtaking. The views really are some of the best in all of Vermont.

Of course, since this is such a high mountain, the weather can be a bit more unpredictable. That being said, it's still possible to get some great hang gliding weather if you time it right. The best months for weather on Mount Washington are typically May through September. During the winter, the temperatures can get pretty extreme, so it's best to avoid that time of year if you can.

But even if you don't end up hang gliding, there's still plenty to do in the area. Mount Washington is home to some great hiking trails, and it's also a popular spot for skiing and snowboarding in the winter. So no matter what time of year you come, you're sure to find something to do.

Sugarbush

Next up on the list is Sugarbush. Located in the Mad River Valley, and it's known for having some of the best views in the state. If you look up the area, you're bound to find the company called Sugarbush Soaring. However, that company deals with gliders, but not hang gliding. Although that's still an amazing experience that I recommend you check out, we'll save that for another article!

Anyways, back to Sugarbush and how great it is for hang gliding. In particular, the views of Mt. Ellen and Lincoln Peak are absolutely stunning. And since Sugarbush is located right next to Green Mountain National Forest, you can bet that the views are pretty incredible.

The weather in Sugarbush is also pretty ideal for much of the year. The average temperatures in the spring and summer months are usually in the 60s and 70s, which is perfect for spending time up in the air. And if you happen to be hang gliding in the fall, you'll be treated to some of the most amazing autumn foliage in Vermont.

So if you want a great place to go hang gliding in Vermont, Sugarbush should definitely be at the top of your list! And if you want something else to do in the area, there's plenty of hiking and biking trails nearby. So whether you're looking to fly high or stay close to the ground, Sugarbush has you covered!

Mount Ascutney

This name might sound familiar since we mentioned it above when talking about Morningside Flight Park, but Mount Ascutney as a whole is undoubtedly one of the best places to go hang gliding in Vermont. If you visit this area, you'll more than likely end up at Morningside Flight Park anyways, but it's worth noting that you can also do your own thing and take on Mount Ascutney the way you want to.

There are a few different places on Mount Ascutney that are popular among hang gliders, but the most popular spot is definitely the summit. From here, you'll be treated to some of the most amazing views in Vermont. You’ll have views of all of Vermont and New Hampshire at the same time. Just turn your head and your 360-degree view will be unforgettable.

The weather around Mount Ascutney is also just about perfect for the most part. Both shoulder seasons are great times to visit, but fall might be the best time of all. The leaves are changing colors and the views from up above are even more incredible than usual. Just make sure to check the weather before you go since it can change quickly in Vermont.

When it comes to other things to do, Mount Ascutney has a lot to offer. There are hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and even a ski resort. No matter what time of year you visit, there's always something to do. And if you get tired of all the activities, you can always just relax and take in the incredible views.

West Rutland

Although this is the name of the small town nearby, we're really focusing on the West Rutland ridge here. After all, you're probably a heck of a lot more interested in hang gliding from the ridge than the streets of downtown West Rutland. I mean it's a cool town and all, but I think you'll enjoy the views from the nearby ridge just a little bit more!

Speaking of, the views from the West Rutland ridge are pretty amazing. You'll be able to see all of downtown West Rutland as well as some of the other small towns in the area. If you go flying while the sun is out and the clouds aren't blocking too much of your view, you'll even be able to see all sorts of Vermont's amazing views and various landscapes.

The weather is usually pretty good for gliding here too, although it can get a bit chilly in the winter. The warm months of the year are usually pretty mild, although there can be the occasional thunderstorm. Fall is also a great time to fly here because the leaves are changing color and it's just generally a beautiful time of year.

West Rutland is located in central Vermont, so it's relatively close to some of Vermont's other popular cities and landmarks. For example, it's about an hour drive from Burlington, VT and about a two hour drive from Montreal, Canada. There are also a few other small towns nearby that you can check out if you're looking for something to do after your hang gliding session. All in all, West Rutland is a great place to go hang gliding and explore all that Vermont has to offer.

Burke Mountain

Capping off our list of the best places to go hang gliding in Vermont is Burke Mountain. This north-facing mountain is mostly known for being a great skiing surface in the winter, but it's also a great place to go hang gliding in the spring, summer, and fall. It's known for the relatively smooth winds around it that might gliding a breeze.

The views from Burke Mountain are some of the best in Vermont. You'll be able to see all sorts of different landscapes, including forests, mountains, and lakes. The views are especially stunning in the fall when the leaves are changing color. In case you haven't noticed by now, this is a recurring theme while you're hang gliding through Vermont and one of the key things that make this state so stunning to fly above.

The weather around Burke Mountain is pretty good for hang gliding year-round. In the spring and summer, the temperatures are usually in the 60s and 70s. However, in the fall and winter, the temperatures can drop down into the 20s and 30s. Even though it's colder, Burke Mountain is still a great place to go hang gliding because of the smooth winds and stunning views.

Burke Mountain is located in the northeastern part of Vermont and is relatively close to other popular cities and landmarks. Stowe, Vermont, home to one of the most popular ski resorts in New England, is only about 30 minutes away. So between Stowe and Burke itself, you'll be in the heart of ski country. So you might even want to consider visiting during the warmer months for a great hang gliding trip and then coming back in the winter to go skiing!

Paraglide New England

Since this last one isn't actually a hang gliding company, I won't spend too much time with it. But while you're visiting Vermont to go hang gliding, you can also check out Paraglide New England for a completely different experience. They offer tandem paragliding flights as well as instruction if you're interested in learning how to paraglide yourself.

Even though hang gliding and paragliding are often confused with one another, they're actually completely different activities that will give you a totally different experience. So give it a shot and take to the skies!