Slope ratings: A = reliable lift, well-developed access · B = good lift, moderate access · C = situational, may require hiking or specific wind conditions.
Featured Sites
Our home thermal field plus the two premier slope sites — reliable lift, well-developed access.
St. Paul
Our home thermal field, across from the St. Paul Rodeo grounds. Open to PASS members and guests during scheduled activity days. Flying restricted to designated areas out of respect for our neighbors.
Peterson Butte
Southwest-facing slope in the Willamette Valley with a huge grassy launch and landing area. Best late fall through late spring in south/southwest winds. Gate access — contact the Secretary for the combination.
Cape Blanco
Premier coastal cliff soaring with strong, sustained northerly summer winds. Home of the annual Slopefest event the second weekend of July. Camping available at Cape Blanco State Park.
Slope Soaring
Good lift in the right conditions; moderate access.
Cape Kiwanda
Large sand dune for slope soaring — north side preferred. Requires hiking up the dune with portable gliders. Watch tides at the beach parking.
Lumber
Strong lift on private timber land with a perfect grass landing behind the hill. Hosts slope racing, slope combat, and aerobatic events. Closed during hunting and fire seasons — watch the website for notices.
Area B
Medium sand dune ridge in Fort Stevens State Park on the north coast. Best in 8–15 MPH WSW winds, primarily winter season. Light to medium-light models recommended — not for heavy aircraft.
Ecola State Park
Cliff-top launch directly over the ocean with views of Haystack Rock. Light hand-launch gliders or planes with flaps/Crow recommended — single landing approach through turbulent air. Day-use fee required.
Slope Soaring
Situational sites — may require hiking, four-wheel drive, or specific wind conditions.
Chehalem Mountain
Close-to-home winter slope site near an antenna farm. Trees and a barbed-wire fence constrain landing approaches — only one viable approach. "Not a great hill, but close to home."
Mount Hebo
3,100-foot elevation backup site when the Gorge and Willamette Valley aren't flying. You can see the Pacific 20 miles away from the summit. Snow blocks access in winter; heavy rain in fall and spring.
McKinley Ridge
Very consistent winds, huge lift, and mountain views. Difficult forest-road access — first-time visitors should go with someone who knows the route. Snowed in for winter.
Bald Butte
Three-quarter mile hike on trail #688 (180 ft gain) in Mount Hood National Forest. Excellent Mt. Hood views in west winds. Works as well as Lumber for slope races, on public land.
Klickitat
Foamies only — terrain has scattered rocks, balsam root, and some poison oak. Strong lift, extensive dive-and-climb, and panoramic views. "Rotor" approach requires flying beyond the hill.
Cascade Head
1.5-mile forest hike to expansive grass hills 2,000 feet above the ocean. Fly alongside bald eagles; watch whale migration below. Nature Conservancy land — stay on trails and minimize impact.
Site details adapted from descriptions originally written by club members on the legacy PASS site.
Have a correction or want to add a site? Get in touch.