Pfänder / Pfaender

Pfänder is a popular thermal and soaring launch above Bregenz on Lake Constance, at about 974 m, reached via the Pfänderbahn cable car and flyable in west or northwest wind. This site runs on a strict seasonal rule set by the launch's owner: flying is only allowed from October through the end of April, with launching explicitly banned from 1 May to 30 September — a genuine summer flight restriction rather than the usual winter closures seen elsewhere. The best window within that season is described as mid-February to the end of April. Landing is at Bad Lochau, which is easy to reach, but worth planning for: without a lift back up, it can end up being a fairly long walk. A well-connected, cable-car-served mountain with real views over the lake, but check the calendar before planning a flight here — half the year, this launch simply isn't available.

Launch & conditions

Thermal and soaring launch at about 974 m above Lake Constance, flown in west or northwest wind.

Getting there & local rules

Reached via the Pfänderbahn cable car from Bregenz.

Local rules & hazards

Launching is only allowed from October through the end of April — explicitly banned from 1 May to 30 September. Landing is at Bad Lochau: easy, but without a lift back up it can be a fairly long walk.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Pfänder / Pfaender, 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 Pfänder / Pfaender with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.