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Sugarbush Stein's Launch

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Sugarbush Stein's Launch

Spot Info

Spot Details

PPG friendly
Not marked
Authorization
Not marked
Club / contract
Required
Launch faces
NNE
Forecast point
Ready
Access notes
This VHPA-managed Sugarbush launch is hike-only and is closed throughout ski season and every period of lift or grooming activity. Current USHPA/VHPA membership, annual state waiver, site introduction, XC skill, and Restricted Landing skill are required. From the Lincoln Peak lot, hike the Mountain Ops road on Spring Fling to Snowball and continue to the top of Valley House Quad; Stein's lies just past the lift and is the shortest of the three current Sugarbush hikes.
Site rules
  • Do not fly during ski season or while lifts or grooming operations are active; confirm current resort dates before travel.
  • Maintain current USHPA/VHPA membership and annual state waiver. No P2; P3 requires approved observation; first-time P4 requires a site introduction; XC and RF skills are mandatory.
  • Use the current Mountain Ops hike route only. No vehicle access, tree trimming, camping, or off-route shortcuts.
  • Use the primary LZ at 44.136292,-72.888013. The golf course requires explicit same-day resort approval and is never a standing alternative.
  • Maintain at least 75 feet over lift cables, launch straight away, and push toward the LZ early if not climbing.
  • Do not infer PPG permission. This row documents foot-launched PG only.
Launch directions
NNE
Direction notes
Official ideal sector is approximately 15-30 degrees, with about 5 mph minimum, 8 mph ideal, and 12 mph maximum. Tailwind is prohibited.
Safety notes
  • Stein's is steep, narrow, and tightly bounded by trees. Do not launch in tailwind; establish a fully pressurized wing before committing and maintain a straight heading until clear.
  • Tall grass can overgrow the takeoff by early summer and materially affect inflation and footing.
  • The approximately 3.5:1 glide is the best of the three launches but still ends at a narrow, downhill, terraced gravel lot with drainage ditches, trees, and thermal triggers.
  • Active glider towing occurs at Warren-Sugarbush Airport; maintain current traffic and airspace awareness despite the retained points clearing the fixed buffer.
  • Spring instability, sink, headwind, lift infrastructure, thunderstorms, cloud suck, and limited landing choices require advanced conservative judgment.
Additional notes
Current exact Sugarbush north-northeast launch omitted by the automated manifest. It is distinct from Lincoln Peak and North Lynx through its coordinate, aspect, steep narrow geometry, shortest hike, and lower glide requirement.
Map pin (exact launch)
Exact Stein's Launch coordinate published in the current VHPA Sugarbush guide.
Official website
https://vhga.aero/flying-sites/sugarbush/

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Airspace status