Fulseck (Gastein)

Fulseck above Bad Gastein is a big Austrian thermal and cross-country mountain, sitting at just over 2,000 m with takeoff options near the gondola station that let pilots pick from a wide range of directions — east, southeast, southwest, west or northwest all work somewhere on the mountain. It's a well-known XC launch in the Gastein valley, with enough vertical and thermal activity to support genuine distance flying, not just short local flights. There are two landing options, and the difference between them matters: the small field right at the gondola station is tight, has power lines nearby, and is for experienced pilots only, while the main landing zone — about a 15-minute walk further on — is the one nearly everyone should use. One hard rule applies to both: gondola and lift cables must be crossed with at least 100 m of clearance, no exceptions. Föhn is a real hazard on this mountain, so treat a forecast Föhn day as a reason to stay on the ground rather than a challenge.

Launch & conditions

Several launch options near the gondola station, open to east, southeast, southwest, west or northwest depending on the day.

Getting there & local rules

Reached via the Gastein gondola.

Local rules & hazards

Gondola and lift cables must be crossed with at least 100 m of clearance. The small landing field right at the gondola station is tight, has power lines nearby, and is for experienced pilots only — use the main landing zone, about 15 minutes further on foot, instead. Föhn is a serious hazard here; treat it as a stand-down day.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Fulseck (Gastein), read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Fulseck (Gastein) with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.