The Elk Valley Paragliding Association (EVPA) owns and maintains the weather station at the Microwave Towers launch on Morrissey Ridge, near Fernie BC. This is one of three stations that provide year-round, real-time, high elevation wind and weather reporting to support pilots and other recreational users throughout the East Kootenays. Each of these stations receive over 10,000 hits per year, keeping pilots safe and allowing them to make the most of every flying day in a region where ridge-top winds can be very different from conditions in the valley.
The original Holfuy 3G station was installed in 2016 and was funded by $1962 in donations from local pilots. Canadian 3G networks were decommissioned in September 2025, and the EVPA replaced the original station with a new Holfuy LTE station in October 2025. The upgraded station is planned to last until at least 2030.
The total project cost is CAD$3165, which includes:
- Holfuy LTE CAT-M station CAD$1301 (€800)
- Sensors (wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity, pressure) CAD$1407 (€865)
- Anemometer mount CAD$107
- IoT SIM card and 5 years of data CAD$151
- Tax, shipping and customs CAD$110
- Transaction fees CAD$89
Excess donations will go toward adding a webcam at this location.
- Solar cellular security camera CAD$214
- SIM card and data CAD$240/year
The EVPA does not charge membership or visiting pilot fees, so donations are appreciated to keep free weather data alive. If this weather station is useful to you, please give what you can. Donations from non-pilots are appreciated too!
Live weather link: https://holfuy.com/en/weather/1940
Our other stations: https://holfuy.com/en/map/wind