lhmoulton

This DZ is now called Parachute Voltige. I was just at Voltige last week, had a great time. They had a Twin Otter and perhaps the fastest Caravan I’ve been in, which enabled us to be doing 29-way formation jumps. The best landing area I’ve ever seen—lush grass 4” thick. They have belly, freefly, CF events throughout the summer. Everything was very well organized, you pay the packers directly, the student setup and equipment seemed top-notch. No pool, but an in-ground trampoline (mainly for kids), and because of this darn virus, their usual café was not set up, but they had lots of great snacks and pre-prepared dishes. I’ve been told they have more days of sun than any other town in Quebec. Those of you who go south for some winter jumping, Quebec is the place to be in the summer! I have not looked, but my guess is there are more turbine-equipped DZs in Quebec than anywhere else in Canada.

I see it has been awhile since the last review of Parachute Montreal. I spent several days there over a few weeks this last month, and as far as I can tell, it is the “Perris of Canada.” Well, no swimming pool, but since it is only 75F there when it is 95F in southern California, who needs one!
The facilities are complete and impeccable, and their Otter is the most comfortable one I’ve ridden, with the benches against the fuselage so people can face each on the way up and have an easier exit.
I had no problem getting on loads—they have hired a master full-time organizer, Yves Morisset, who got me on various loads, and taught me some new tricks as well. It was right after the Canadian Nationals, so everyone was loose and ready to relax. My last day they had Pascal Blais organizing bigways (well, just medium-ways, 6-16, but later in the summer they start preparing for 40-way sequentials—I think a selection weekend, followed by an invitational one). I could tell people were genuinely pleased to see someone from the U.S. show up and appreciate their setup. My French is not bad, but everyone spoke enough English for an anglophone visitor to be safe and at ease.
Anyway, many people head down to Florida in the winter—why not head to Canada in the hot summer? Montreal is a fantastic city to visit, and this DZ is only 43 miles from the main airport (YUL), and even closer from the near side of Montreal.

I was passing through, stopped in, and soon found myself at 13.5 on a nice King Air. Family-run DZ, with a couple aircraft, packers, a long history, and beer.

This is the place to jump if you are on the Western Cape. A former National Championships site, it is beautifully nestled in a wide valley with 4500’ mountains, and lots of landing area. Although the weather was not great the weekend I visited, both staff and jumpers went out of their way to make sure I got on loads. They also took me along to their favorite vineyards, topped off by a rugby match and a braai.

This is one of the few DZs in the world where you can take a commuter train to within a few miles and they'll pick you up! (but of course, call first)

As a foreigner, I had no trouble getting on loads, this is a very welcoming crew. Young but experienced and highly professional organization.

Their rental gear, which I used early in the summer, is in great shape. When I showed up later with my own gear, they replaced my aged risers for about $5 labor.

Although the 'con' I listed was the small landing area, what can one expect for a place so close to the most fun city on the East Coast!