Polster

Polster is a versatile Austrian mountain site with several distinct launch points, so the wind on the day decides which one you use. The south-facing takeoff is steep and gets demanding when the wind picks up, but a lower, easier south launch sits just a short walk down for exactly those conditions. The west, northwest and north takeoffs are gentler and well suited to less experienced pilots. That range of options, plus a site that works across almost every wind direction, makes Polster a good match for thermal flying, ridge soaring, cross-country days and hike-and-fly outings alike — it just rewards picking the right launch for the day rather than treating them all the same. The one hazard worth knowing before you fly is a wind funnel effect near the mountain pass where the landing area sits, which can distort what the wind is actually doing at ground level. A windmill and windsock at the landing field help pilots read the wind, though the windmill's rotation lags real changes in direction, so don't trust it blindly if the wind is shifting.

Launch & conditions

Multiple takeoff points around the mountain: the south launch is steep and demanding in wind, with an easier lower south option nearby; west, northwest and north takeoffs are gentler and suit less experienced pilots.

Local rules & hazards

Watch for a wind funnel effect at the mountain pass where the landing area sits — it can make the wind at ground level behave differently from what's happening higher up. A windmill and windsock at the landing field help you read conditions, but the windmill's rotation lags behind real wind shifts, so treat its reading with caution when the wind is changing.

Check conditions before you fly

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