Morningside

Morningside is a full-service flight park in the Connecticut River valley on the Vermont/New Hampshire border, operating since 1974 as one of the best-known training sites in the US for both hang gliding and paragliding. A large, west-facing training hill sits alongside three launch heights - 150 ft, 250 ft and 450 ft - reached by ATV, with the 450 ft launch a good step toward mountain flying once pilots are ready. The huge landing zone and training hill make it an excellent place to drill takeoffs and approaches, and the west-facing ridge is soarable with regular, sometimes cross-country-capable thermals. The park runs USHPA-rated instruction for both hang gliding and paragliding seven days a week, alongside tandem hang gliding, a full flight shop, hang glider towing and on-site camping. Weather here changes frequently, so check current conditions before heading out. Access is via Exit 7 off Interstate 91 in Vermont, over the bridge into New Hampshire and about 5 miles north on Route 12 - roughly 2.5 hours from Boston or 4.5 hours from New York City. Landing is on a large grassy field with a kiting bullseye and a long grass runway used for tandem hang glider tows.

Launch & conditions

A large, west-facing training hill sits alongside three launch heights - 150 ft, 250 ft and 450 ft - reached by ATV, with the 450 ft launch a good step toward mountain flying. Tow operations are available for hang gliders.

Getting there & local rules

Take Exit 7 off Interstate 91 in Vermont, cross the bridge into New Hampshire, and head about 5 miles north on Route 12; the park is on the right. It's roughly 2.5 hours from Boston or 4.5 hours from New York City.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Morningside, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Morningside with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.