Turnagain Pass is the spot for drive-up kiting in Southcentral, surpassed only by it's larger brother Thompson Pass to the east. Look for low-pressure related north winds coming up from Turnagain Pass. Most kiting here is done in light winds, up to about 15mph. More than that is rare. Note that often times you will be flying in zero visibility, and there is a lot of terrain here.
For the safest spot, park at the Center Ridge parking lot (on the east side of the road with the forest service restrooms) and walk across the highway to the snowmachine side. For the easiest launch, park in the snowmachine lot on the west side of the road, and launch right next to your car (then huck your meat off the berm down to the snow for the benefit of the appreciative snow machiners gathered). Too many machines to be comfortable? Head down to the Sunburst parking lot (next east side lot past the Center Ridge lot heading south), and ski north into the field. Watch those power lines!
Got some skins? Approach Taylor Pass from the Sunburst lot. Look for light easterly winds - they will increase as you go high. From the valley between Sunburst and Magnum, you can summit both ridges, much to the chagrin of the b/c skiers. Have good avalanche skills and equipment if you head up to do this - you are backcountry skiing. Corn Biscuit, Lips, Eddies, and Tin Can also offer good kiting terrain for those willing to make the approach.
Turnagain Pass Current Temperature, Wind, and Webcam - located 1/4 mile north of Turnagain Pass on the west side of the highway. Look for northerly winds that result from the front end of low pressure systems moving up the pass from Turnagain Arm. It needs to be blowing hard along the Arm to get enough wind in the Pass.
Seattle Ridge Wind and Temp - located on Sunnyside Ridge.
Sunburst Wind and Temp located on Taylor Pass. The bowl below Taylor Pass between Sunburst and Magnum can be an excellent place to fly, with a 1 hour easy approach. Look for easterly winds spilling over Taylor Pass, and realize that the closer you get under the Pass (further up valley) the less the wind (ie the more the wind shadow).
Turnagain Avalanche Advisory
