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Paragliding in the Chamonix Valley
Want to fly like a bird, rise above the mountains, soar with eagles?
Paragliding in Chamonix
Paragliding will let you do all this. Mieusey, 50km west of Chamonix, lays claim to the birth of paragliding in 1974. The sport has grown rapidly since 1990, driven by significant developments in materials.
Beginner wings are safe and and have astonishing performance, so new pilots can have great flights with a high level of safety. Chamonix is a wonderful place to learn the "magic" of free flight.
Take a tandem flight with a qualified pilot or lessons with a paragliding school to experience the Alps from a different perspective.
A reputation for strong conditions
The spectacular Chamonix region is the "mecca" of mountain flying. Big thermals, eagles, glaciers and high peaks make the Chamonix valley one of the best flying areas in the world.
Cool nights and hot days create large temperature gradients resulting in powerful thermals and strong valley winds. Good flying starts in March and the seasons ends in October, but it is possible to fly all year long. May and June are particularly strong months.
For the ultimate Chamonix experience, many intrepid pilots flock towards the Mont Blanc
Local Weather Tip and Info channels
When the foehn effect is present, it's usually unsafe to fly. The foehn is usually associated with strong southern winds at altitude (southwest to east, sometimes north east). Watch out for the arrival of a storm front with high pressure on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc range and low pressure on the French side. Foehn conditions cause strong gusts of turbulence. Check the Chamonix.net weather for daily reports.
You can access local weather balloon information (in French) on the French Flying Federation's (FFVL) radio frequency, 143.9875, or by telephone, 04 56 38 6080 (costs 0.15 Euros per minute) or by internet on the following sites:
Charamillon
Brévent- Plan Praz & FlegereAiguille du MidiLes HouchesGrands MontetsPlan de l'AiguilleThe Aiguilles Rouges: Planpraz & Flegere
Taking off from Plan Praz
Planpraz, at the midstation of Brevent, was the most heavily used and popular first time take-off in the Chamonix valley because it has the most regular and predictable "house" thermals and the take-off is near the gondola station. The Planpraz gondola is now closed for summer 2008. The lift will re-open in December 2008. More Info.
Summer 2008, there is a new site open at the midstation of Flégère and at the top of the Index lift. More Info. Respect take-off sites and landing fields
Launch sites are free for all pilots - 'Vol Libre' at its best!
The Bois du Boucher, landing zone of Chamonix
The two landing fields in Chamonix in the summer and autumn are the Bois du Bouchet and the Clos du Savoy. In winter, use the hang gliding landing field near the Bois du Bouchet.
Bois du Bouchet: (closed in winter - use the hang glider landing field 150m north east)
GPS: N 45° 55'53" E 006° 52'43"
Altitude: 1040m
Clos du Savoy (closed in winter)
GPS: N 45° 55'42" E 006° 51'65"
Altitude: 1040m
The previous Argentière landing field is closed. Please don't go there as negotiations are in process.
There are also important rules concerning the overflying of the natural parks and helicopter flight paths. A free guide book covering numerous sites in the Chamonix and surrounding areas (in English and French) and the rules governing these sites is available from the paragliding schools or download it here: "Vol Libre au Pays du Mont Blanc" - English version.
- 2008 version
- 2005 versionHeader...
Links to other paragliding sites:
