Premium weather, Epic Flying, Really Good Food.
Overview
Valle de Bravo, Mexico is a world-class soaring destination with equally epic food. This charming mountain town, often described as the Aspen of Mexico, sits along the shores of Lake Avándaro, just 2 hours west of the capital city. Every year paragliders and hang gliders converge on this region between December and February. There are two launch destinations– La Torre and El Penon. La Torre is located just above town, its slopes rising up from the lake. This ridge-soaring site has little thermal opportunity, so it's primarily used by Valle's many commercial tandem pilots. The El Penon launch is outside of town about forty five minutes south of Valle de Bravo. The typical goal of pilots is to launch from El Penon and fly their way back to the "Lake LZ". It’s only a 9-mile flight as the crow flies, but it's technically challenging as there's a high mesa and a lake to cross or circumnavigate. Depending on conditions and pilot experience a multitude of routes (tasks) can be followed, offering many exciting soaring features to explore.
Appropriate for all P2+ pilots, these trips will take yearling pilots to new heights and delight seasoned veterans as well.
Instructors
Calef Letorney
Calef’s love affair with Valle de Bravo started in 2007. The hook was set on his very first day after cloud hopping along the convergence back to the Lake LZ and then having his mind blown by an Al Pastor from Taco Alley. A week later he was already showing newcomers around the “magical pueblo”. 14 seasons later, Calef’s still crushing the pork tacos and sharing his love for Valle de Bravo, but now he’s a USHPA Master Rated pilot, Advanced Instructor, and VT State distance record holder. Calef’s especially keen to help yearling pilots dial in thermal skills and glide into their first cross country flights.
Where we stay
"Charlie's Place" is local posada (Mexican version of a B&B), whose guests are exclusively PG pilots and their companions. With welcoming hosts that are also pilots and an ideal location (convenient to the road to launch, just 150 yards from the lake LZ, and with excellent nearby food options), Charlie's Place books up months in advance. Having stayed at Charlie's place for a dozen years, PGNE now has a standing reservation for the entire Posada for most of December. The accommodations are simple but clean, comfortable, and safe. The rooms are mostly single bed (one double room) with private bathrooms enough to accommodate 12 pilots at a time.
Travel Logistics
Flights are to arrive in Mexico City before 4pm. The group will meet at the airport and drive the 2-3 hour drive to Valle de Bravo. As with arrival at the end of the trip we’ll drop you off at the airport in Mexico City. Returns flights are to depart no earlier than 12 noon. We can arrange a private car or explain public transportation for folks wishing to travel at different times.
For day-to-day flying, we have our own vans and drivers who are familiar with all the various launches and landing zones. Local cabs are plentiful, extremely cheap and often used by XC pilots who "land out" away from designated LZ options. Travel throughout town is typically done by foot.
Costs
$2,500
***$100 discount for returning students. Room choice is limited. $750 deposit due at booking, balance due before trip.***
This includes:
8 nights lodging
Private shuttle to-from Mexico City airport
Personalized instruction and XC guiding
Nightly video review of launches and track log analysis
Not included:
Flights to Mexico City (MEX: Benito Juárez International Airport) for Dec Nov 30- Dec 8 or Dec 8-16 arriving before 4pm and departing after 12:00.
Food ($15-50 per day)
Travel insurance (required) we recommend World Nomad, Explorer. Or read HERE for acceptable policies that cover Paragliding.
Peñon Club fee. ($80)
Don’t delay!
For a half dozen years in a row, we have fully booked these trips and had to turn folks away… so claim your spot early!
Some pre-trip stoke…
