Chamonix Bans Wingsuit BASE Jumping, For Now

Eric Fournier, mayor of Chamonix, has signed a provision that BASE jumping with a wingsuit is suspended around the famous mountain town for the time being. A number of jumpers have died in the area this year, the latest was a Russian who crashed into a house. Officials want new rules for where jumpers can takeoff, land, fly and a list of safety standards for flight. There have been over 2,000 BASE jumps this year in Chamonix.

Could this be a sign of things to come in Canada? The Rockies and West Coast are popular areas for wingsuit jumpers. It’s common to be climbing up The Chief or Yamnuska and have a BASE jumper pass you on their way down.