Billing H.P. and flying from it

DirtyDan · 31st October 2010, 15:06

Billing is a big ridge that paragliders fly off of. It sits roughly between Dharamsala and the Kullu valley in H.P.

It is the site of many paragliding world records as you would expect from India's grand northern ranges.

I was in the area looking for ways up to the snow line and beyond but was stopped cold by monsoon damaged trails, non-trails and slides. It was a great day for jumping off a mountain so I looked in at Billing to see the boys, and a few girls, do their thing while I was in the neighborhood.

It was a cold crisp clear day with at least 40 paragliders in the air and many more lining up for launch.

The high angle autumn sun, the 8,500 foot clear air and the flamboyant canopies made a spectacular treat for the eyes.

wanderernomad · 31st October 2010, 20:48

Beautiful pictures. I remember the first time the event was held there in 1990 I think. I was there as a young boy who half drove and half dragged a Bajaj Chetak up that road which was still in its nascent stage. Dan any idea if its a regular scheduled event these days with fixed dates? Would love to take the kids up there again to show them.

v&v · 31st October 2010, 22:14

@DirtyDan - We had visited billing in Jan. Fantastic location and view.
Some shots of billing.

Billing H.P. and flying from it-j5j10-288.jpg

This the place the guys are jumping in earlier picture.

Billing H.P. and flying from it-j5j10-289.jpg

He is the only guy stay on top. Staying alone for so many years.

Billing H.P. and flying from it-j5j10-327.jpg

DirtyDan · 1st November 2010, 01:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

Beautiful pictures. I remember the first time the event was held there in 1990 I think. I was there as a young boy who half drove and half dragged a Bajaj Chetak up that road which was still in its nascent stage. Dan any idea if its a regular scheduled event these days with fixed dates? Would love to take the kids up there again to show them.

There is a competition held in November I think. You might try Google. The place had about 200 people and 60-70 gliders total when I was there.
If the weather is good, they are flying in numbers now.

ExtremeTorque · 1st November 2010, 13:06

DirtyDan, excellent pics.

I love the 2 and the 4th pic, where they are ready to jump off. Can you post some more details like what it takes for first timers (entry criteria, if any?), cost per jump, best season etc? The thing is, I am visiting HP in December and i just cant resist adventure sports

lilMonSter · 1st November 2010, 15:14

I'm happy other people are also getting to bir and billing. Playing pool in the pool hall in bir, chilling in the fields. it's a place i go to every year, have friends from bir. it is a beautiful place which has to be seen for all the beauty to sink in. The paragliding thing is an annual affair. loved the pics dan!

MileCruncher · 2nd November 2010, 00:31

Dirty Dan: Awesome pictures. So did you also do it or were you a spectator?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExtremeTorque

DirtyDan, excellent pics.

I love the 2 and the 4th pic, where they are ready to jump off. Can you post some more details like what it takes for first timers (entry criteria, if any?), cost per jump, best season etc? The thing is, I am visiting HP in December and i just cant resist adventure sports

You can actually do Para Sailing right here in Hyderabad in Tank Bund with APTDC run courses or can go with GHAC for a 3 day certification course near Lonavala. That course costs about 7-8k per person and is a 3 day affair.

wanderernomad · 2nd November 2010, 23:20

Infact billing is not just a paragliders turf. It is also one of the gateways into the Bara Bhangal area, the remotest valley in H.P now.

tsk1979 · 2nd November 2010, 23:31

Were these pics taken from the world championship on 28-30 oct?

nvldvr · 8th October 2020, 14:08

Hi.

Bumping an old thread.

Sharing pics of Camp Bir Billing.

These is tented accommodation at Bari village, near Bir, Himachal. Bir is the base camp for Billing, the famous Para Gliding site near Palampur, Himachal Pradesh.

While there are a lot of stay options available in Bir, the USP of this place is that it is located on a hill overlooking the entire Bir Valley. The view is to do die for, and is to be seen to be believed.

The place has recently been started by one of my acquaintances.However I have no commercial interests in this venture. The idea of this post is to only share a good stay option with fellow forum members.

The contact number for those who are interested is 9910203769.

Cheers.

31st October 2010, 15:06	#1
DirtyDan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dharamsala, H.P Posts: 2,075 Thanked: 1,563 Times	Billing H.P. and flying from it Billing is a big ridge that paragliders fly off of. It sits roughly between Dharamsala and the Kullu valley in H.P. It is the site of many paragliding world records as you would expect from India's grand northern ranges. I was in the area looking for ways up to the snow line and beyond but was stopped cold by monsoon damaged trails, non-trails and slides. It was a great day for jumping off a mountain so I looked in at Billing to see the boys, and a few girls, do their thing while I was in the neighborhood. It was a cold crisp clear day with at least 40 paragliders in the air and many more lining up for launch. The high angle autumn sun, the 8,500 foot clear air and the flamboyant canopies made a spectacular treat for the eyes. Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

31st October 2010, 20:48	#2
wanderernomad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 2,534 Thanked: 1,276 Times View My Garage	Beautiful pictures. I remember the first time the event was held there in 1990 I think. I was there as a young boy who half drove and half dragged a Bajaj Chetak up that road which was still in its nascent stage. Dan any idea if its a regular scheduled event these days with fixed dates? Would love to take the kids up there again to show them.
	() Thanks

31st October 2010, 22:14	#3
v&v Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,545 Thanked: 1,205 Times View My Garage	@DirtyDan - We had visited billing in Jan. Fantastic location and view. Some shots of billing. This the place the guys are jumping in earlier picture. He is the only guy stay on top. Staying alone for so many years.
	() Thanks

1st November 2010, 13:06	#5
ExtremeTorque BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 379 Thanked: 20 Times	DirtyDan, excellent pics. I love the 2 and the 4th pic, where they are ready to jump off. Can you post some more details like what it takes for first timers (entry criteria, if any?), cost per jump, best season etc? The thing is, I am visiting HP in December and i just cant resist adventure sports
	() Thanks

1st November 2010, 15:14	#6
lilMonSter BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New delhi Posts: 190 Thanked: 33 Times	I'm happy other people are also getting to bir and billing. Playing pool in the pool hall in bir, chilling in the fields. it's a place i go to every year, have friends from bir. it is a beautiful place which has to be seen for all the beauty to sink in. The paragliding thing is an annual affair. loved the pics dan!
	() Thanks

2nd November 2010, 23:20	#8
wanderernomad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 2,534 Thanked: 1,276 Times View My Garage	Infact billing is not just a paragliders turf. It is also one of the gateways into the Bara Bhangal area, the remotest valley in H.P now.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2010, 23:31	#9
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,790 Times View My Garage	Were these pics taken from the world championship on 28-30 oct?
	() Thanks

8th October 2020, 14:08	#10
nvldvr BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 599 Thanked: 767 Times	Re: Billing H.P. and flying from it Hi. Bumping an old thread. Sharing pics of Camp Bir Billing. These is tented accommodation at Bari village, near Bir, Himachal. Bir is the base camp for Billing, the famous Para Gliding site near Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. While there are a lot of stay options available in Bir, the USP of this place is that it is located on a hill overlooking the entire Bir Valley. The view is to do die for, and is to be seen to be believed. The place has recently been started by one of my acquaintances.However I have no commercial interests in this venture. The idea of this post is to only share a good stay option with fellow forum members. The contact number for those who are interested is 9910203769. Cheers. Attached Thumbnails
	(3) Thanks

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