Bulletins

WHAT: Pursuant to Section 7(1) of the National Parks General Regulations, of the Canada National Parks Act, the following activity is restricted or prohibited by order of the Superintendent: The takeoff and landing of non-motorized paragliders and hang gliders, except in specified areas and times following the required activity conditions as outlined by Parks Canada.

WHERE: Refer to Restricted Activity Order Map for where and when launching and landing are permitted by paragliders and hang gliders.

WHY: To protect sensitive ecological areas and wildlife, and for public safety.

Definition: Paragliding and hang gliding are forms of mechanically assisted flight using a specialized parachute with a harness or a fixed wing and rigging, as governed by Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

Activity Conditions:

- Pilots must be certified members of the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada to fly in the park and must carry proof of membership when flying in the park.
- Pilots are required to log each flight on the HPAC Banff National Park Pilot Log including the following data points:
- trailheads/trails pilots accessed for the launch site, dates of flights, number of flights if multiple flights were taken by a pilot in a single day, number of pilots when flying in a group, pilot origin, and type of flight (hang gliding or paragliding).
    - Flight path as GPX file
    - HPAC will provide amalgamated logs and flight data to Parks Canada annually.
- Motorized or towed launches are not permitted.
- Commercial activities/flights or special events are not permitted.
- Some areas of Banff National Park are prohibited to launching and landing according to restricted activity order map.
- Pilots must use designated trails to access launch sites.
- Groups must not exceed 10 individual pilots at one time.
- Pilots should use discretion when launching or landing in public areas and avoid landing in areas that are crowded.
- Pilots must avoid disturbing medium and large wildlife species. If medium and large wildlife is observed, pilots must fly away from the area immediately. If it is not possible to leave the area, pilots mustmaintain a distance of at least 500 metres away from wildlife.
- Raptors and other birds have been known to fly with paragliders.
- Pilots must not interfere with or chase airborne birds.
- Pilots may use a helmet camera or other mounted camera during flight. Taking off or landing of a drone is restricted within Banff National Park.
- Emergency landings are permitted in accordance with Transport Canada and Parks Canada regulations. Emergency landings must bereported to Parks Canada Dispatch (403-762-1470) and to HPAC, asper the established HPAC protocol.

PENALTY: Violators may be charged under the Canada National Parks Act: maximum penalty $25 000.

Start date: 2025-05-23

End date: Until Further Notice

Approved by:

Salman Rasheed
Superintendent, Banff Field Unit

François Masse
Superintendent, Lake Louise, Yoho, Kootenay Field Unit