Italian Alps · Paragliding site
Live seven-day Alpine flying weather with launch direction, altitude and local site information for Santa Maria in Valle Vigezzo.
Site briefing
Santa Maria in Valle Vigezzo is a paragliding launch in the Italian Alps. Its recorded elevation is 1,772 m and its mapped launch aspects are SE, S, SW. Compare the live forecast at launch with winds aloft, gusts, cloud base, rain and daylight before checking current local access and airspace information.
Specific local feature: the valley breeze West from Santa Maria Maggiore and East mostly blows in two completely different directions. The confluence occurs normally slightly east from the town. You can use it to cross the valley towards south without loosing altitude, even with gaining it.
HG: - at the gondola station (2 winsocks) PG: 1) Cima 2: 15-20mins walk along the ridge to the west on the highest point. With binoculars, the windsock can be seen from the valley; 2) Pizzo Trubbio: access by foot (1hr) or by gondola (in winter or when arranged).
HG/ PG: huge field (with windsocks) towards the west end of the valley (see pictures) PG: near gondola station. ONLY Oct-Mar!!! Be careful, this landing has got a significant slope, and on the field at some places there are approx 1m high wood poles stuck in the soil vertically. It is highly recommended to visit the field before landing there. Beware the wind direction at the landing sometimes shifts rapidly by 180 degrees. Normally the valley breeze is coming from west, but at some specific conditions the valley breeze from Locarno may enter as far as the landing site.
Italy: from Domodossola: follow signs 'Locarno'; Switzerland: from Locarno: follow signs 'Cento Valli'. In Sta.Maria: follow sign 'funivia'.. Info cablecar: http://www.pianadivigezzo.it/impianti.php Take the cablecar to go up to the takeoff sites. Free parking next to cable car but number of places limited. In summer until July it runs almost every 30min, from July until september - continuously. Ticket 6EUR for PG pilots (as of 2011).
Absolutely NOT with norderly winds ('Nordfoehn'). The thermals in the valley can be so strong as to cause problems when landing (especially for HG! > drag chute...). Webcam Piana di Vigezzo: https://www.bergfex.it/craveggia-piana-vigezzo/webcams/c6087/
Authoritative sources
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Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.
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